Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:ACL) announced the following action was taken by shareholders at the extraordinary general meeting of the Alcon shareholders held today in Zug, Switzerland:

  • Conditional election of directors designated by Novartis AG (?Novartis?) to replace directors designated by Nestlé S.A. (?Nestlé?) if and when Novartis acquires Nestlé's remaining shares of Alcon. The directors designated by Novartis and conditionally elected by shareholders are:
    • Dr. Enrico Vanni until 2011
    • Mr. Norman Walker until 2011
    • Dr. Paul Choffat until 2012
    • Dr. Urs Baerlocher until 2013
    • Dr. Jacques Seydoux until 2013

These elections will become effective only upon the consummation of the acquisition by Novartis of all common shares of Alcon that are beneficially owned by Nestlé.

This action was in satisfaction of a condition under the Purchase and Option Agreement and was also required by the Shareholders Agreement, each dated April 6, 2008 and entered into between Nestlé and Novartis.

Company Description

Alcon, Inc. is the world's leading eye care company, with sales of approximately $6.5 billion in 2009. 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.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements principally relate to statements regarding the expectations of our management with respect to the future performance of various aspects of our business. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "hope," "intend," "estimate," "project," "predict," "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These 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 and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause future results to differ include, but are not limited to, the following: the development of commercially viable products may take longer and cost more than expected; changes in reimbursement procedures by third-party payers may affect our sales and profits; a weakening economy could affect demand for our products; competition may lead to worse than expected financial condition and results of operations; currency exchange rate fluctuations may negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations; completion of a potential change of control to Novartis; completion of a potential merger with Novartis; pending or future litigation, including with respect to a potential merger with Novartis, may negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations; litigation settlements may adversely impact our financial condition; the occurrence of excessive property and casualty, general liability or business interruption losses, for which we are self-insured, may adversely impact our financial condition; product recalls or withdrawals may negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations; government regulation or legislation may negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations; changes in tax laws or regulations in the jurisdictions in which we and our subsidiaries are subject to taxation may adversely impact our financial performance; supply and manufacturing disruptions could negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations. You should read this press release with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary 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.

Alcon, Inc.
Doug MacHatton, 817-551-8974
Vice President, Treasury and
Investor and Public Relations
doug.machatton@alconlabs.com
www.alcon.com