January 07, 2026
1 min read
Key takeaways:
- STAAR Surgical did not receive the necessary stockholder votes to move forward with the merger.
- STAAR will remain a stand-alone, publicly traded company.
Editor’s note: This is a developing news story. Please check back soon for updates.
Alcon and STAAR Surgical terminated their definitive merger agreement.
STAAR Surgical will remain a stand-alone, publicly traded company.
According to a press release from STAAR, preliminary estimates showed that the company did not receive the necessary stockholder votes to approve the merger agreement during a special meeting of stockholders on Jan. 6.
“The board approved the Alcon agreement because we determined that it was in the best interests of STAAR stockholders,” Stephen Farrell, CEO of STAAR, said in the release. “We respect the outcome of the vote and look forward to working collaboratively with shareholders to ensure the best possible outcome for STAAR as a stand-alone company.”
There will be no termination fee payable by either STAAR or Alcon, and STAAR will remain a stand-alone, publicly traded company.
“Throughout this process we remained disciplined with our views on price and risk,” David J. Endicott, CEO of Alcon, said in a press release from Alcon. “Moving forward, our refractive strategy is unchanged, and our new wavelight plus offering remains our focus for the most popular refractive surgery in the world, LASIK.”
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