Alcon completes acquisition of LumiThera

Alcon has completed its planned acquisition of LumiThera, Inc, which was announced earlier in July of this year.^1,2

According to Alcon, the acquisition includes the noninvasive Valeda photobiomodulation (PBM) device for the treatment of early and intermediate dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and a subset of late dry AMD (non-central involving geographic atrophy).

Ian Bell, SVP and Chief Operating Officer of Alcon, commented on the acquisition in a press release from the company, saying, “Since Alcon entered the retina space in 1997, we’ve focused our efforts mainly in surgical, delivering leading products and solutions for the operating room. As we welcome LumiThera and Valeda PBM to Alcon, we move into the retina clinic and the dry AMD space. We look forward to broadening access and availability to Valeda PBM so more dry AMD patients can benefit from early intervention.”

Alcon noted in a press release that Valeda PBM delivers non-phototoxic light therapy using 3 wavelengths that have demonstrated safety and efficacy in patients with dry AMD. It also noted data from the LIGHTSITE I, II, and III clinical trials that demonstrated visual acuity improvement with Valeda PBM without causing any discomfort in 97% of patients.

Data from the LIGHTSITE I, II, and III clinical trials conducted by LumiThera showed that PBM treatments provide visual acuity improvement with no treatment-related serious adverse events reported. The pivotal LIGHTSITE III study was conducted at 10 sites across the U.S. and evaluated two years of PBM treatment versus a control light therapy.³

Results from the trial showed that patients with PBM-treated eyes gained one line of visual acuity (ETDRS) from baseline at months 13 and 21 and maintained it at month 24. Additionally, about 88% of patients in the PBM group maintained or gained vision versus baseline at month 24.

PBM uses low-level light to stimulate mitochondrial energy production, promoting retinal cellular health. It uses 3 specific, science-backed wavelengths to deliver non-phototoxic light therapy (not laser therapy). The noninvasive treatments are administered in a clinic setting.

Allen C. Ho, MD, FACS, FASRS, director of retina research at Wills Eye Hospital and chairman of the Alcon Research Institute (ARI) executive committee, said, “Treating dry AMD earlier—before the development of advanced disease—has always made sense, but we did not have technology that could improve vision until the introduction of Valeda PBM.”

Valeda PBM is currently available in the US and several countries in Europe and Latin America. Alcon notes that, pending regulatory approvals, it plans to expand Valeda PBM into additional markets, beginning in 2026.

Alcon’s busy 2025

Earlier this year, Alcon announced it had acquired a majority interest in Aurion Biotech,⁴ a clinical-stage company developing advanced cell therapies to treat eye diseases, and intends to acquire LENSAR.⁵ The LENSAR acquisition includes the ALLY Robotic Cataract Laser Treatment System, LENSAR’s proprietary Streamline software technology, and the LENSAR legacy laser system. As noted, Alcon also completed its acquisition of LumiThera, Inc and its PBM device for the treatment of early and intermediate dry age-related macular degeneration.

Most recently, Alcon entered into a definitive merger agreement with STAAR Surgical Company, through which Alcon intends to acquire STAAR. The planned acquisition of STAAR includes the EVO family of lenses (EVO ICL) for vision correction for patients with moderate to high myopia with or without astigmatism.⁶ EVO ICLs are implantable lenses that address a wide range of vision correction needs through a minimally invasive procedure that is reversible. EVO family ICLs are implanted between the iris and the natural crystalline lens during a procedure that does not remove corneal tissue.

All deals are expected to close in mid to late 2025.

References:

1. Alcon Completes Acquisition of LumiThera. Published September 3, 2025. Accessed September 5, 2025. https://www.alcon.com/media-release/alcon-completes-acquisition-lumithera/

2. Harp MD. Alcon to acquire LumiThera and its photobiomodulation device for the treatment of dry AMD. Published July 7, 2025. Accessed September 5, 2025. https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/alcon-to-acquire-lumithera-and-its-photobiomodulation-device-for-the-treatment-of-dry-amd

3. Hutton D. LIGHTSITE III trial data demonstrates improvement in vision in intermediate dry AMD. Published June 23, 2022. Accessed September 5, 2025. https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/lightsite-iii-trial-data-demonstrates-improvement-in-vision-in-intermediate-dry-amd

4. Harp MD. Alcon acquires majority interest in Aurion Biotech. Ophthalmology Times. March 27, 2025. Accessed September 5, 2025. https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/alcon-acquires-majority-interest-in-aurion-biotech

5. Harp MD. Alcon agrees to purchase LENSAR. Ophthalmology Times. March 25, 2025. Accessed September 5, 2025. https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/alcon-agrees-to-purchase-lensar

6. Harp MD. Alcon agrees to acquire STAAR Surgical. Published August 5, 2025. Accessed September 5, 2025. https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/alcon-agrees-to-acquire-staar-surgical