Alcon announced that it has entered into an amended merger agreement for the acquisition of STAAR Surgical Company, the global leader in phakic IOLs with the EVO family of Implantable Collamer Lenses (EVO ICL) for vision correction.
In November 2025, by mutual agreement with Alcon, the STAAR Board began an unencumbered “go-shop” process, in connection with which Alcon waived its matching rights and any break-up fee if a superior proposal materialized. No such offer was received and the “go-shop” window expired on December 6.
Over that period, Alcon took its case for the superior value of the merger directly to STAAR stockholders, emphasizing that:
- STAAR doesn’t have the scale or resources to be a profitable, high-growth standalone company
- Alcon, as the global leader in eye care, is best suited to maximize the value of this product, which is reflected in the generous premium offered
- The alternative for STAAR stockholders is a silent takeover by activist investors with no premium and a highly uncertain future
Under the terms of the amended agreement, Alcon will purchase all outstanding shares of STAAR for $30.75 per share in cash. This purchase price increase represents an additional approximately $150 million in equity value for stockholders. The transaction now represents a total equity value of approximately $1.6 billion, representing a 74% premium to STAAR’s 90-day Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) and a 66% premium to the closing price of STAAR common stock on August 4, 2025. Alcon intends to finance the transaction through the issuance of short- and long-term credit facilities. STAAR stockholders are urged to review Alcon’s detailed views on this transaction, which can be found here: https://investor.alcon.com/news-and-events/events-and-presentations/default.aspx
“The amended transaction provides tremendous value to STAAR stockholders, while providing an exciting opportunity for Alcon to broaden the access to STAAR’s leading technology to benefit patients around the world,” said David Endicott, Chief Executive Officer of Alcon. “This best and final offer to the STAAR stockholders offers a clear choice: a substantial and certain premium versus an uncertain future tied to a dissident activist with a dubious track record.”
The Boards of Directors of Alcon and STAAR have approved the amended merger agreement, and the STAAR Board of Directors has recommended that STAAR stockholders approve the transaction.
Alcon expects the transaction to be accretive to earnings in year two. It is anticipated to close in early 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval by STAAR’s stockholders.
For forward-looking statements and additional detail click here.