Novartis Seeks Eye Care Leadership With Full, $50 Billion Alcon Takeover

In a strong sign of Novartis' long-term commitment to ophthalmology, the firm announced Jan. 4 that it would exercise its option to purchase Nestlé's remaining 52% stake in eye-care group Alcon for $28.1 billion and separately pursue a buyout of the 23% of shares owned by independent stockholders