Alcon tops $1 billion in quarterly sales

HUNENBERG, Switzerland — Alcon reported global sales of $1.07 billion for the first quarter of 2005, an increase of 11.1% over the first quarter of 2004, the company announced in a press release. Net earnings for the quarter increased 31% to $249.5 million, Alcon added.

Overall pharmaceutical sales grew 14% to $432 million, while sales of glaucoma products increased 20.7%. Alcon attributed the growth in the glaucoma drug category to a 43.2% increase in sales of Travatan (travoprost).

Sales of the company’s allergy products, including Patanol (olopatadine), increased 10.7%. Alcon said that Patanol accounts for 64.3% of the total U.S. ocular allergy market.

Growth in sales of Vigamox (moxifloxacin) helped boost the infection/inflammation product group by 8%, the company said, even though Ciloxan (ciprofloxacin) lost patent protection in 2004 and subsequently had a decline in product sales.

Surgical sales rose 10% to $488.3 million, according to the press release. IOL sales increased 10.1%, which the company attributed to market share gains, physician adoption of the AcrySof Natural lens and “global conversion from multi-piece to single-piece IOLs.”

Growth in the cataract/vitrectomy division was attributed to sales of the Infiniti phacoemulsification system. Refractive revenue also increased, which the company said was due to growth in procedures and conversion to higher-priced customized refractive procedures.

Eye care sales also increased, led by growth in the Opti-Free disinfecting solution line, the company said.