Dual Recognition For Alcon, Inc. With Frost & Sullivan’s 2005 Product And Company Of The Year Awards

PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcon, Inc. is the recipient of two Frost & Sullivan Awards for the year 2005. The company has received both the Product of the Year Award in the ophthalmic medical devices market as well as the Company of the Year Award for the U.S. ocular hypertension and open angle glaucoma market.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents the Product of the Year Award to the company that has demonstrated excellence in new products within its industry. The Award recognizes innovation that has resulted in the launch of a broad line of emerging products and technologies.

Alcon, Inc. is being recognized with the Award for its revolutionary AcrySof(R) ReSTOR(R) intraocular lens (IOL) that provides the highest level of freedom from glasses following cataract surgery in both eyes that has ever been demonstrated in an IOL clinical trial.

“The AcrySof(R) ReSTOR(R) lens truly represents a new paradigm in cataract surgery, which will provide the nearly 3 million people in the United States who have cataract surgery each year with the option for a new standard of care and improved vision,” says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Dr. Mansi Kothari. “Introduced outside the United States in 2003 and approved in the U.S. in early 2005, it has been singularly successful with more than 20,000 procedures performed by over 1100 surgeons in the U.S.”

Unlike other advanced IOLs, the AcrySof(R) ReSTOR(R) lens cleverly circumvents the dependence on eye muscles for accommodation by combining three complementary optical technologies -- apodization, diffraction, and refraction. Results from clinical trials show that 80 percent of patients never wore glasses or bifocals following surgery in both eyes. For more information regarding this lens and procedure, visit http://www.acrysofrestor.com .

The second Award Alcon received recognizes its operational excellence. The Company of the Year Award lauds a company’s business development, competitive strategy and leadership. It recognizes outstanding management, consistent growth, exceptional customer service, and positive social and economic impact on local and national communities and customers.

Alcon is the global leader in the ophthalmic pharmaceuticals market. About 60 percent of its pharmaceuticals revenues are in the United States where it leads in key categories such as anti-infectives (Vigamox(R) ophthalmic solution), eye allergy drops (Patanol(R) ophthalmic solution), and combination anti-infectives and anti-inflammatories (Tobradex(R) ophthalmic suspension).

In 2002, glaucoma products accounted for 32 percent of Alcon’s total pharmaceutical sales of $349.6 million. By 2004 these products increased more than 50 percent to reach $526.4 million. Alcon’s high-growth brand in this market is Travatan(R) ophthalmic solution, a once-daily prostaglandin analogue, which accounted for three quarters of this growth. Furthermore, Travatan(R) grew 37 percent in 2004 over 2003, far surpassing the growth rates for competing products such as Lumigan and Xalatan.

“Beyond product development and marketing strategy, Alcon’s notable customer service has fortified its competitive rank and positioned it for strong future revenue growth,” says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Dhiraj Ajmani. “A 2005 Frost & Sullivan survey showed Alcon as the most respected company by ophthalmologists and optometrists in the U.S. glaucoma medication market due to its excellence in first-line glaucoma medication, and its dedication in facilitating access to medication for non-insured patients through coupons, samples and concise needy-patient forms for physicians.”

In recognition of its growing market penetration, satisfaction among prescribers and patients, and successful market strategy and employee satisfaction, Alcon is the worthy recipient of the Company of the Year Award in the ocular hypertension and open angle glaucoma market.

Held in Miami, Frost & Sullivan’s Best Practices Awards Banquet honors world-class companies for contributing innovative developments to the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry, as well as companies yielding emerging technologies in a variety of fields. An annual event, the banquet recognizes the quality and merit of distinguished individuals and companies that deliver unparalleled insight on the industry, products and services.

About Alcon

Alcon, Inc. is the world’s leading eye care company with sales exceeding $3.9 billion in 2004. Alcon has been dedicated to the ophthalmic industry for over 50 years, and develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, contact lens solutions and other vision care products that treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye. It has market leading drugs that are used to treat glaucoma and eye infections, inflammation and allergies, surgical products that are used to restore vision through cataract and vitreoretinal surgery and consumer eye care products that are used to clean contact lenses and soothe dry eye conditions. For more information on Alcon, Inc., visit the company’s Web site at http://www.alconinc.com .

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company’s industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit http://www.frost.com .

Contact: Stacie Jones 210.247.2450 Stacie.jones@frost.com

Frost & Sullivan

CONTACT: Stacie Jones of Frost & Sullivan, +1-210-247-2450, orStacie.jones@frost.com

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