Alcon, Inc. (NYSE: ACL) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire LenSx Lasers, Inc, a privately held company that developed the first femtosecond laser to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for use as a part of cataract surgery. The LenSx system is indicated for anterior capsulotomy and laser phacofragmentation during cataract surgery, providing a complementary surgical approach to certain manual steps within the traditional cataract procedure.
“This complementary technology aligns with Alcon's strategic focus to help surgeons improve every step of the cataract procedure. The LenSx laser provides surgeons a new level of predictability and control over critical manual steps during cataract removal - making those steps more precise and reliable”
Alcon will pay US $361.5 million in cash at closing to LenSx shareholders for their shares, plus maximum contingent payments of US $382.5 million based upon the achievement and over-achievement of future femtosecond unit and procedure fee revenue milestones. The closing of this acquisition is subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
The innovative LenSx laser platform enables surgeons to perform some of the most delicate manual steps of cataract surgery with image-guided visualization and micron level laser precision. The LenSx laser enhances a surgeon's ability to predictably create a well centered anterior capsulorhexis of exact diameter, and to effectively fragment the lens for removal with minimized phaco time and power.