Alcon Acquires Majority of Aurion Biotech

Alcon has officially acquired a majority interest in Aurion Biotech, a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing innovative cell therapies for the treatment of eye diseases. While financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, the acquisition marks a strategic expansion of Alcon's ophthalmic pipeline, particularly in regenerative medicine.

Aurion Biotech to Remain Operationally Independent

Under the agreement, Aurion will continue to operate as a separate company, with full support from Alcon to accelerate the development of its lead investigational therapy, AURN001. This allogeneic cell therapy is being developed for corneal edema secondary to corneal endothelial disease and is expected to enter Phase 3 clinical trials in the second half of 2025.

“Aurion will have access to the broader R&D, regulatory, medical ophthalmic, and commercial capabilities of Alcon,” the company stated in its press release.

Leadership Transition Following Legal Dispute

In conjunction with the acquisition, Aurion’s Board of Directors appointed Arnaud Lacoste, PhD, former Chief Scientific Officer, as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. He replaces Greg Kunst.

This leadership change follows a legal dispute between Alcon and Aurion in late 2023. At the time, Alcon, which held a 40.5% stake in Aurion, filed a lawsuit after Aurion announced its intent to pursue an IPO without Alcon’s consent. Aurion challenged the claim in Delaware’s Court of Chancery and won the case in January. Alcon had stated its intent to appeal the decision.

AURN001: Advancing Cell Therapy for Corneal Endothelial Disease

AURN001 is a combination cell therapy consisting of allogeneic human corneal endothelial cells (neltependocel) and a rho kinase inhibitor (Y-27632). The product candidate has received both Breakthrough Therapy Designation and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) Designation from the U.S. FDA.

“Alcon is dedicated to developing and delivering innovative treatments for global unmet needs in eye care, including vision-threatening corneal endothelial disease,” said David Endicott, CEO of Alcon.
“We recognize the exciting potential of cell therapies in ophthalmology, particularly given the shortage of available corneal tissue globally.”

Clinical and Global Milestones

Aurion has completed enrollment and dosing in its Phase 1/2 CLARA trial, a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, dose-ranging study involving 97 patients across the U.S. and Canada. Participants were randomized into five dosing arms to evaluate AURN001 in corneal edema due to endothelial dysfunction. The results support the therapy’s advancement to Phase 3.

Aurion also announced the first global commercial launch of its technology in September 2024. Marketed as Vyznova (which includes neltependocel), the product debuted in Japan for the treatment of bullous keratopathy of the cornea.

“With our manufacturing innovations, we can expand cells from a single donor to produce up to 1,000 doses,” said Dr. Arnaud Lacoste, now CEO of Aurion.
“We look forward to leveraging Alcon’s global resources and commercial expertise as we initiate our U.S. Phase 3 trials later this year.”

Strategic Growth Follows Recent Acquisition of Lensar

This announcement comes just days after Alcon revealed its plans to acquire Lensar, a cataract laser technology company, in a transaction valued at up to $430 million. The acquisition of Aurion further demonstrates Alcon’s intent to diversify and deepen its footprint across the ophthalmology innovation spectrum, from surgical devices to regenerative therapies.