Alcon AG

Alcon on Wednesday spent $550 million to acquire Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, gaining its encapsulated cell therapy for macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel), a rare eye disease where blood vessels in the macula become dilated and leak, causing central vision loss. Encelto (revakinagene taroretcel-lwey) was greenlit in the US last year, making it the only FDA-approved treatment for MacTel. After surgical intravitreal implantation, the therapy continuously releases recombinant human ciliary neurotrophic factor (rhCNTF), which helps protect retina cells and reduces the loss of photoreceptors. The Swiss drugmaker may be on the hook for additional contingent payments, including commercial milestones related to Encelto. Neurotech's cell therapy, pharmaceuticals and surgery capabilities are "highly complementary" to Alcon's retinal disease aspirations, CEO David Endicott said in a company release. "By combining Neurotech’s groundbreaking science and established commercial footprint with Alcon's global reach and clinical expertise, we can help bring this innovation to more patients whose vision is threatened by MacTel," he added. The takeout marks Alcon's latest move into the ophthalmic cell therapy space. Last year, the company secured a majority stake in Aurion Biotech to help the latter advance its lead cell therapy candidate for corneal endothelial disease. The fully-enrolled Phase III ASTRA trial is evaluating AURN001 in 130 patients with corneal edema secondary to corneal endothelial dysfunction, with primary completion expected in June 2027. The content above comes from the network. if any infringement, please contact us to modify.

As screen time climbs and blue-violet light exposure becomes an unavoidable part of daily life, contact lens wearers are placing new demands on their eyes, and on the lenses they wear. Johnson & Johnson is betting that its newest innovation can meet that moment. The company recently announced it has received CE Marking for ACUVUE OASYS MAX 2-Week, a reusable contact lens built around three proprietary MAX technologies: OptiBlue Light Filter, TearStable Technology, and Class 1 UV blocking. It marks the first time a reusable lens has combined TearStable Technology and OptiBlue Light Filter in a single product, and it arrives amid a global contact lens market in which 140 million people wear lenses worldwide, with roughly half opting for reusable options and comfort consistently ranking as their top priority. The launch raises a number of medtech-relevant questions, from the material science challenges of engineering three distinct technologies into one lens, to how J&J is navigating patient compliance, competitive differentiation, and a phased global rollout that begins in select European markets later this year ahead of broader expansion in 2027 and 2028. To unpack the technology, the clinical data behind it, and where this launch fits into J&J Vision's broader strategy, MD+DI connected with Jacqueline Henderson, Company Group Chair, Vision, MedTech, Johnson & Johnson. Can you walk me through how the three MAX technologies—OptiBlue Light Filter, TearStable Technology, and Class 1 UV blocking—work together at a material science level? What was the biggest technical challenge in combining all three in a reusable lens? Henderson: ACUVUE OASYS MAX contact lenses are designed to deliver crisp, clear and comfortable vision throughout the day. Our MAX technologies work together to help make that performance possible. ACUVUE OASYS MAX is the first and only reusable contact lens to combine TearStable Technology and OptiBlue Light Filter. Increased screen time can reduce blinking and contribute to discomfort, while blue-violet light scatter can affect visual clarity. TearStable Technology helps lock in moisture to keep the lens hydrated, and OptiBlue Light Filter filters 60% of blue-violet light—the highest level in the industry. The lens also includes built-in UV protection to help protect the eyes from harmful UV radiation. Bringing these technologies together in one small, reusable lens is technically complex. It reflects our commitment to meaningful innovation that keeps pace with patients’ active lives—helping them see clearly and feel comfortable and confident throughout the day. What specifically degrades in traditional reusable lenses over the two-week period, and how does TearStable Technology address the moisture loss challenge? Henderson: Over two weeks of wear, traditional contact lens materials can face hydration challenges - which may contribute to discomfort. Building on ACUVUE’s proven comfort, our scientists looked at the eye’s natural tear film. They developed a hydrating agent that mimics mucin in the tear film and distributes moisture throughout the lens—not only on the surface. TearStable Technology helps maintain hydration and support comfort throughout the day. With one in two contact lens wearers choosing reusables, what's driving that preference? Is it primarily cost, convenience, or sustainability concerns? And how does this launch position J&J in the ongoing debate between daily disposables and reusables? Henderson: Millions of patients worldwide rely on ACUVUE, and their needs and preferences are not one-size-fits-all. Offering advanced MAX technologies in both reusable and daily disposable lenses gives patients and eye care professionals more options to support clear, comfortable vision. Daily disposables remain an important part of our portfolio. This launch complements that focus by bringing our advanced MAX technologies to patients who prefer a reusable lens. ACUVUE OASYS MAX 2-Week has received CE marking and will launch in select European countries later this year, followed by a broader market rollout beginning in 2027. Reusable lenses require more patient compliance with cleaning and storage protocols. How does ACUVUE OASYS MAX 2-Week address the reality that many patients don't follow perfect lens care routines? Does the technology offer any forgiveness for less-than-ideal maintenance? Henderson: Proper cleaning, storage and replacement are essential for contact lens wear and care. We encourage every patient to follow the guidance of their eye care professional. You mention 99% of ACUVUE OASYS 2-Week wearers were successfully refit with the same parameters. How critical is that seamless transition for driving adoption among eye care professionals, and what's your strategy for converting existing OASYS wearers versus attracting new patients? Henderson: A seamless transition matters because it can simplify the fitting process for eye care professionals while giving patients an easy way to access the added comfort and visual clarity of MAX technologies. Contact lens wearers have different needs and lifestyles. Patients who choose reusable lenses should not have to compromise on ACUVUE’s proven comfort or clarity. Our strategy is to bring these advanced technologies to more people—including patients who did not previously have this option—so a broader range of wearers can benefit from our latest innovation. How does ACUVUE OASYS MAX 2-Week compare to other premium reusable lenses from competitors like Alcon, CooperVision, or Bausch + Lomb in terms of technology, pricing, and patient outcomes? What's your key differentiator? Henderson: ACUVUE OASYS MAX 2-Week stands apart through its combination of eye-inspired design and advanced MAX technologies, with the goal of delivering proven comfort and visual clarity for reusable lens wearers in Europe. Our eye-inspired innovations are designed to mimic the natural behavior of the eye. TearStable Technology reduces evaporation two times more than leading competitors, while OptiBlue Light Filter provides the industry’s highest level of blue-violet light filtering in MAX lenses. As the number one best-selling contact lens brand in the world, ACUVUE has earned the trust of eye care professionals and millions of patients through continuous innovation, differentiated technologies and a longstanding focus on comfort. What determines market readiness, and what's the timeline for U.S. FDA approval? Also, where does this fit into J&J Vision's broader portfolio strategy—are we seeing a shift toward more reusable options, or is this complementing your daily disposable focus? Henderson: ACUVUE OASYS MAX 2-Week has received CE marking and will launch in select European countries in 2026, with broader market expansion planned throughout 2027 and 2028, subject to local regulatory approvals and market readiness. We continue to evaluate opportunities to expand access to our innovations across markets. This launch complements our daily disposable portfolio by bringing our most advanced ACUVUE technologies to patients who prefer reusable lenses. It reflects our broader strategy: offering meaningful choices for a wide range of vision needs and lifestyles, without compromising on comfort or clarity. We know clear sight can help people live their best lives. Is there anything else you would like to expand on? Henderson: For nearly 40 years, ACUVUE has helped make clear vision possible for millions of people around the world. We continue to build on that legacy with strong momentum and meaningful innovation across the ACUVUE portfolio. ACUVUE OASYS MAX 2-Week is the newest addition to the ACUVUE OASYS MAX family. It has received CE marking and will launch in select European countries later this year, ahead of a broader market rollout in 2027. The portfolio also includes the ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day contact lens family. In June 2025, we launched ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day MULTIFOCAL for ASTIGMATISM—the first and only daily disposable contact lens for people with both astigmatism and presbyopia. That summer, we also launched ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day for ASTIGMATISM and ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day MULTIFOCAL. Together, these products create the first and only complete family of daily disposable contact lenses. As market leaders, we remain focused on continuous innovation—and we are excited about what comes next.

Alcon—the eye-focused pharma spun out of Novartis—is handing over $550 million to buy out Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, its encapsulated cell therapy platform and commercial medicine Encelto. Encelto, greenlit in March 2025, is the first and only FDA-approved therapy for macular telangiectasia type 2, a rare and progressive type of central vision loss. So far, the drug is only available in the U.S., where Neurotech estimates there are 25,000 MacTel patients and 2,000 to 3,000 new diagnoses each year. Through the merger, Alcon will now endeavor to give the drug-device combo a more global reach, the pharma said in a statement. Neurotech will also bring the tech behind Encelto to Alcon. The biotech’s encapsulated cell therapy approach pairs a surgically placed implant with cells that have been genetically engineered to produce therapeutic proteins. With Encelto, the implant continuously releases recombinant human ciliary neurotrophic factor (rhCNTF), a protein that can travel to the retina and protect the photoreceptors—cells that are implicated in MacTel vision loss. While Encelto is Neurotech’s only approved drug and so far has just one indication, the delivery platform could boast a meaningful development advantage over treatments for other chronic eye conditions that often rely on repeat injections. "Neurotech's innovative platform sits at the intersection of cell therapy, pharmaceuticals and surgery, making it a highly complementary addition to our current capabilities and advancing our vision for the future of retinal disease treatment,” David Endicott, CEO of Alcon, said in a statement. Alcon may be required to make milestone payments beyond the deal's initial $550 million if certain commercial checkpoints are crossed. The company said it expects the merger to modestly add to its net sales growth and slightly lower its projected earnings per share in 2027 before becoming accretive. The Neurotech acquisition is just the latest in a series of M&A moves that eye-focused Alcon has leveraged to grow and diversify its pharma portfolio. In 2021, the company paid $355 million for Novartis’ Simbrinza. And in 2022, it paid $770 million for Aerie Pharmaceuticals and its glaucoma and ocular hypertension meds Rhopressa and Rocklatan, following that deal up with the $60 million purchase of dry eye disease (DED) med Eysuvis and post-ocular surgery treatment Inveltys from Kala Pharmaceuticals. In 2025, Alcon secured FDA approval for its own DED treatment, Tryptyr, its first regulatory win since leaving Novartis. Alcon reported $5.5 billion in the first half of 2026, a 9% increase year-over-year. Because Neurotech is a privately held company, sales for Encelto have not been publicly disclosed.