Content about Alcon

NEW YORK — Alcon has launched a mobile website designed to facilitate dialogue between patients and pharmacists about eye and ear treatments, the company said Thursday.

Alcon announced the launch of Drops101 Web Tools, which offers access to information about two of its products: Ciprodex Otic (ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone), for acute otitis externa and acute otitis media in children with tymponostomy tubes; and Moxeza ophthalmic solution (moxifloxacin hydrochloride) for bacterial conjunctivitis.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals has filed a regulatory approval application with the Food and Drug Administration for a generic drug for eye disease, the company said Tuesday.

Watson is seeking approval for olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution in the 0.2% strength. The drug, used to treat itching in the eye resulting from allergic conjunctivitis, is a generic version of Alcon’s Pataday.

BASEL, Switzerland — Novartis on Thursday morning named Naomi Kelman head of the Novartis OTC division, effective March 2. She will report directly to Joseph Jimenez, Novartis CEO.

The Novartis OTC and animal health businesses will become separate Novartis divisions, in addition to the pharmaceuticals, Sandoz (generics), vaccines and diagnostics divisions. As previously announced, following the completion of the merger between Novartis and Alcon, CIBA Vision and Novartis ophthalmic medicines will be merged into the new Alcon eye care division of Novartis.

BASEL, Switzerland — Novartis on Wednesday announced that its merger agreement with Alcon has been settled to the tune of $12.9 billion. The new $8.7 billion Alcon eye care division, which includes CIBA Vision and selected ophthalmic medicines, will be led by current Alcon president and CEO Kevin Buehler.

Shares of Novartis were up 7.6% to more than $60 in early morning trading.

"The full merger is the logical conclusion of our initial strategic investment in Alcon,” stated Daniel Vasella, Novartis chairman.

HUENENBERG, Switzerland Alcon on Monday announced the launch of Systane Balance lubricant eye drops, formulated with HP Guar, borate, sorbitol, propylene glycol and Alcon’s exclusive LipiTech System -- an emulsion technology of mineral oil and an anionic phospholipid. The new eye drop is designed to restore the lipid layer and the natural tear film to allow for relief of dry-eye symptoms.

HUENENBERG, Switzerland Eyecare company Alcon has launched a new drug for inflammatory eye conditions.

Alcon announced the launch of TobraDex ST (tobramycin, dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension) in the 0.3%/0.5% strength. The drug is used to treat inflammatory eye conditions treatable with corticosteroids and where bacterial infection or risk of infection exists.