Alcon unveils fourth-quarter sales figures

Alcon released its latest financial results this week, revealing that global sales rose by 14.5 per cent to $1.72 billion (1.09 billion pounds) during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Reported net earnings for the period also grew by eight per cent to $458 million – the equivalent of $1.51 per diluted share.

For the full year 2009, Alcon declared global sales of $6.50 billion – marking an increase of 3.3 per cent on the $6.29 billion reported in 2008.

“Our results in the fourth quarter clearly show improving dynamics in the eye care market and positive momentum in Alcon’s key brands that supported solid organic sales growth in the quarter,” said Kevin Buehler, Alcon’s president and chief executive officer.

In January, Alcon announced that it will buy assets from eye treatment specialist Sirion Therapeutics, a contract that encompasses two Food and Drug Administration-approved products – Durezol and Zirgan.