STAAR Surgical's proposed merger with Alcon falls through as shareholders reject the deal
STAAR Surgical Shareholders Reject Alcon Merger
STAAR Surgical Company (NASDAQ: STAA) revealed on Tuesday that its shareholders did not grant approval for the proposed merger with Alcon Inc. (NYSE: ALC) during a special meeting.
As a result, STAAR plans to end its merger agreement with Alcon.
Neither STAAR nor Alcon will owe a termination fee, and STAAR Surgical will continue to operate as an independent, publicly traded entity.
Stephen Farrell, STAAR’s CEO, commented, “In the near term, our focus remains on driving profitable sales growth and improving efficiency across our distribution channels. We are committed to expanding the global reach of our EVO ICL technology and making it more widely adopted.”
Background and Shareholder Response
Broadwood Partners, which holds a 30.2% ownership stake in STAAR, opposed the sale and stated on Tuesday, “Now is the time to look forward. With STAAR’s advanced technology, solid financial foundation, strong market presence, and clear opportunities for both short- and long-term growth and margin improvement, the company is well-positioned for the future.”
In December 2025, Yunqi Capital Limited, a 5.1% shareholder in STAAR Surgical, also issued a letter to fellow shareholders voicing opposition to the merger.
Details of the Proposed Acquisition
Alcon, a leader in eye care, had reached an agreement in August 2025 to acquire STAAR Surgical, known for its implantable collamer lens, in a deal valued at approximately $1.5 billion. Subsequently, Alcon raised its offer to $30.75 per share in cash, increasing the total equity value to around $1.6 billion—an additional $150 million over the original proposal.
Stock Market Reaction
Market Update: Following the announcement, shares of STAAR Surgical fell by 12.20% to $21.02, while Alcon’s stock rose 1.20% to $81.62, according to Benzinga Pro data as of Tuesday’s publication.
Further Reading
Image credit: Shutterstock
Stock Snapshot
- Alcon Inc (ALC): $81.78 (+1.39%)
- Staar Surgical Co (STAA): $21.06 (-12.0%)
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
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