• PRECISION1 is the first mainstream daily disposable contact lens to use SMARTSURFACE Technology to deliver lasting visual performance and comfort¹
• New clinical data show five times more contact lens wearers “strongly preferred” PRECISION1 vs. 1-Day ACUVUE Moist²
• Initial U.S. launch of PRECISION1begins in September, with wide availability in early 2020

GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Alcon, the global leader in eye care, today announced plans to launch the newest addition to its robust contact lens portfolio – PRECISION1^® daily disposable, silicone hydrogel (SiHy) contact lenses – in the U.S. PRECISION1 is the first-and-only contact lens with Alcon’s proprietary SMARTSURFACE^® technology – a permanent, micro-thin, high-performance layer of moisture at the lens surface that helps support a stable tear film to deliver lasting visual performance from morning to night.^1,2

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Alcon PRECISION1® contact lenses with SMARTSURFACE® Technology

A new head-to-head clinical study demonstrated superiority of PRECISION1 over top-selling 1-Day ACUVUE^{^} Moist contact lenses in attributes critical for successful contact lens wear: vision, comfort and handling. Study findings showed contact lens wearers rated PRECISION1 significantly better than 1-Day ACUVUEMoist on end-of-day vision, end-of-day comfort and overall handling.^2* Moreover, five times more wearers in the study “strongly preferred” PRECISION1 over 1-Day ACUVUE Moist.²

"PRECISION1is designed to provide lasting visual performance for patients who wear their contact lenses from early morning to late at night,” said David Endicott, Chief Executive Officer, Alcon. “PRECISION1 will be well-positioned as a mainstream daily disposable that complements our premium DAILIES TOTAL1^® and value-driven DAILIES^® AquaComfort PLUS^® contact lenses, further expanding our contact lens portfolio to give us long-term growth opportunities in 2020 and beyond as we continue to develop our promising pipeline.”

PRECISION1 was designed to address the common reasons why 1-in-5 new wearers discontinue contact lens wear within the first year: poor vision, poor comfort and handling issues.³ The lenses help new daily disposable contact lens wearers overcome these issues by providing precise vision, long-lasting comfort and ease of handling. It also introduces a new lens material – verofilcon A with Class 1 ultraviolet-blocking capabilities (the highest level available) – created specifically for PRECISION1by Alcon Research and Development.

“With the launch of PRECISION1, we now have a daily disposable contact lens option that meets the needs of a broad group of patients and delivers an outstanding wearing experience compared to similarly priced daily lenses,” said Katie Spear, OD, JD, MPH, Florida-based optometrist. “PRECISION1 is a lens patients can start in and stay in for years to come, especially those who have active lifestyles that demand exceptional all-day performance.”

Alcon’s commercial sales teams will immediately begin working with select Eye Care Professionals to prepare for initial patient availability beginning in September. PRECISION1 will become widely available across the U.S. in early 2020 and will be priced competitively between DAILIES TOTAL1 and DAILIES AquaComfort PLUS lenses.

In March 2019, Alcon launched PRECISION1 contact lenses in Australia and New Zealand, and expects to launch these lenses in additional markets around the globe throughout 2020 and 2021.

*Based on mean subjective ratings from a prospective, randomized, bilateral crossover, double-masked, controlled clinical trial of PRECISION1 and 1-Day ACUVUE MOIST contact lenses; p≤0.0001.
^Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “intend,” “commitment,” “look forward,” “maintain,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods.

Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties and risks that are difficult to predict. Some of these factors are discussed in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 20-F. In particular, our expectations could be affected by uncertainties regarding the success of our separation and spin-off from Novartis. Should one or more of these uncertainties or risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of its filing, and we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Alcon

Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning more than seven decades, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people’s lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. Our more than 20,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with Eye Care Professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com.

References

1. Alcon data on file, 2018.
2. Alcon data on file, 2019.
3. Sulley A, Young G, Hunt C, et al. Retention rates in new contact lens wearers. Eye & Contact Lens. 2018;44:S273-S282

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Source: Alcon Inc. Investors