Alcon to acquire U.S. rights to Sirion Therapeutics' Durezol and Zirgan

Alcon (NYSE: ACL), the world’s leader in eye care, announced today that it will purchase the rights in the United States for two FDA-approved topical eye care products from Sirion Therapeutics, Inc. The two products purchased are Durezol™, a marketed ophthalmic corticosteroid approved for the treatment of inflammation and pain associated with eye surgery, and Zirgan™, a recently approved antiviral for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis (corneal ulcers). In addition to these marketed products, Alcon also acquired the global rights, excluding Latin America, for Zyclorin™. This product is currently in clinical development to treat dry eye and other ocular surface diseases.

“Durezol™ provides physicians with a steroid to treat both inflammation and pain following a wide range of ophthalmic surgeries”

“The acquisition of these products from Sirion is part of our business development strategy to gain access to late-stage or approved products that will incrementally add to sales in the near-term, while also building our long-term pipeline,” said Kevin Buehler, Alcon’s president and chief executive officer. “Upon closing, this deal will allow Alcon to capitalize on the U.S. registration approval for Durezol™ and Zirgan™ with the existing commercial capability in the United States to maximize the brand development and revenue opportunities.”

"Durezol™ provides physicians with a steroid to treat both inflammation and pain following a wide range of ophthalmic surgeries,” said Robert H. Osher, MD, professor of ophthalmology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and medical director emeritus of the Cincinnati Eye Institute. “Physicians will also appreciate the comfort and relief our patients receive for herpetic corneal ulcers with Zirgan™, due to its low toxicity, potency and targeted antiviral effect.”

The closing of this agreement is expected to occur by the end of the first quarter of 2010 and is contingent upon customary closing conditions and required regulatory approvals.