Alcon to Purchase Ophthalmic Pharmaceutical Assets from Sirion

to Purchase Ophthalmic Pharmaceutical Assets from Sirion

HUENENBERG, Switzerland - January 18, 2010 - Alcon (NYSE: ACL), the world's

leader in eye care, announced today that it will purchase the rights in the

United States for two FDA-approved topical eye care products from Sirion

Therapeutics, Inc. The two products purchased are Durezol , a

marketed ophthalmic corticosteroid approved for the treatment of inflammation

and pain associated with eye surgery, and Zirgan , a recently approved antiviral

for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis (corneal ulcers). In

addition to these marketed products, Alcon also acquired the global rights,

excluding Latin America, for Zyclorin . This product is currently in

clinical development to treat dry eye and other ocular surface

"The acquisition of these products from

Sirion is part of our business development strategy to gain access to late-stage

or approved products that will incrementally add to sales in the near-term,

while also building our long-term pipeline," said Kevin Buehler, Alcon's

president and chief executive officer. "Upon closing, this deal will

allow Alcon to capitalize on the U.S. registration approval for Durezol and

Zirgan with the existing commercial capability in the United States to maximize

the brand development and revenue opportunities."

provides physicians with a steroid to treat both inflammation and pain following

a wide range of ophthalmic surgeries," said Robert H. Osher, MD, professor of

ophthalmology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and medical

director emeritus of the Cincinnati Eye Institute. "Physicians will

also appreciate the comfort and relief our patients receive for herpetic corneal

ulcers with Zirgan , due to its low toxicity, potency and targeted antiviral

closing of this agreement is expected to occur by the end of the first quarter

of 2010 and is contingent upon customary closing conditions and required

regulatory approvals.

and glaucoma affect more than 24 million people age 40 and older in the United

States. Many of these people seek surgical treatment for these and

other eye conditions. Corticosteroids and non-steroidal

anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used after eye surgery to manage

postoperative pain and inflammation. Complications can occur if

inflammation is left untreated and can interfere with a patient's visual

Durezol (difluprednate ophthalmic

emulsion) 0.05% is a topical ophthalmic corticosteroid for the treatment of

postoperative inflammation and pain associated with ocular

surgery. Durezol received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) in 2008 and was the first ophthalmic steroid to be approved

for both postoperative inflammation and pain. Clinical trials

demonstrated that Durezol

ocular pain and inflammation rapidly and effectively for patients following

Durezol is a difluorinated

derivative of prednisolone and has anti-inflammatory activity. The

recommended dosing regimen for Durezol is one drop four times daily beginning

24 hours after surgery and continuing throughout the first two weeks of the

postoperative period, followed by two times daily for a week and then tapering

off thereafter based on the response.

The most common ocular adverse

reactions occurring in 5-15% of subjects in clinical studies with Durezol included corneal

edema, ciliary and conjunctival hyperemia, eye pain, photophobia, posterior

capsule opacification, anterior chamber cells, anterior chamber flare,

conjunctival edema and blepharitis.

Zirgan (ganciclovir ophthalmic gel)

0.15% is indicated for topical ophthalmic use as a treatment for acute herpetic

keratitis (dendritic corneal ulcers). Zirgan is an innovative

topical antiviral therapy designed to specifically target viral-infected cells

and has a low corneal toxicity profile, providing patients comfort and

relief. Zirgan has been a leading treatment for corneal ulcers,

under the brand name Virgan , in

Europe for more than 10 years. The FDA also has designated Zirgan as

an orphan drug, which is a special status for rare diseases or conditions that

affect fewer than 200,000 patients in the U.S.

recommended dosing for Zirgan is one drop five times per day until the ulcer

heals, and then one drop three times per day for seven days. The most

common adverse reactions reported in patients were blurred vision (60%), eye

irritation (20%), punctate keratitis (5%), and conjunctival hyperemia

(5%). Alcon anticipates Zirgan to become available in the U.S. by

prescription in 2010.

(cyclosporine) is a topical ophthalmic immunomodulator and immunosuppressive

agent. Zyclorin is an investigational drug and is not approved by

the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is being studied for the

treatment of ocular surface diseases, including dry eye, which affects millions

Inc. is the world's leading eye care company, with sales of approximately $6.3

billion in 2008. Alcon, which has been dedicated to the ophthalmic

industry for 65 years, researches, develops, manufactures and markets

pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, contacts lens solutions and

other vision care products that treat diseases, disorders and other conditions

of the eye. Alcon operates in 75 countries and sells products in 180

markets. For more information on Alcon, Inc., visit the Company's web

site at www.alcon.com.

Morgan Securities, Inc. is acting as financial advisor and Proskauer Rose LLP is

acting as legal advisor to Sirion Therapeutics, Inc. with regards to the

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking

Statements. This press release may contain forward-looking statements

within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

of 1995. Any forward- looking statements reflect the views of our

management as of the date of this press release with respect to future events

and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these

uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking

statements. Except to the extent required under the federal securities laws and

the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission,

we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these

forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future events

or circumstances or otherwise.

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