Alcon acquires majority stake in Aurion Biotech

27 March 2025

Swiss ophthalmic drug company Alcon (SIX/NYSE: ALC) today announced it has acquired a majority interest in Aurion Biotech, a privately-held US clinical-stage company developing advanced cell therapies to treat eye diseases.

Alcon explained that Aurion will operate as a separate company with full support from Alcon to advance its clinical-stage allogeneic cell therapy asset, AURN001, into Phase III for corneal edema secondary to corneal endothelial disease during the second half of 2025. Aurion will have access to the broader R&D, regulatory, medical ophthalmic and commercial capabilities of Alcon.

While financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, Aurion's chief executive Greg Kunst is out of a job. In conjunction with this transaction, the Aurion board has appointed Arnaud Lacoste, formerly chief scientific officer, to the role of CEO of Aurion effective immediately.

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