2022 Revenues ($USD) : $8,222,000,000 2022 R&D spend : $842,000,000 2022 Number of Employees : 24,389 Fiscal Year End : 12/31/2021 Company CEO : David Endicott, CEO
Formerly a subsidiary of pharmaceutical giant Novartis, Alcon spun out as a separate eye care business in 2019. The company was founded in 1945 by Robert Alexander and William Conner as a small pharmacy in Fort Worth, Texas. Its U.S. headquarters remain in Fort Worth, with global operations run out of its Geneva, Switzerland headquarters. Alcon develops ophthalmic surgical products, with a portfolio including technologies and devices for cataract, retinal, refractive surgery and advanced technology intraocular lenses to treat conditions like presbyopia and astigmatism. The surgical portfolio also includes advanced viscoelastics, surgical solutions, surgical packs and other disposable products for cataract and vitreoretinal surgery. Meanwhile, the vision care business offers a wide range of daily disposable, reusable and color-enhancing contact lenses and a comprehensive portfolio of ocular health products. These include products for dry eye, contact lens care and ocular allergies, as well as ocular vitamins and redness relievers. In 2022, Alcon acquired glaucoma surgery device maker Ivantis for $475 million and paid $60 million to buy Kala Pharmaceuticals’ Eysuvis pharmaceutical eye drops. –SW