Pharmaceutical company intelligence reports from Espicom provide a full review of the company's activities together with five-year sales forecasts for its key products. The company's financial performance is covered in-depth, from its latest results to a complete analysis of its latest full fiscal year and an outlook for the future. A section on company strategy covers mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, key agreements, products and R&D. An overview of key products and R&D is followed by a comprehensive review of the company's product portfolio and research and development pipeline by therapeutic area. In addition, supplementary appendices provide more in-depth information on financials, agreements and corporate events. Alcon is a research and development-driven global company which develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, and consumer products to treat diseases and disorders of the eye. It has operations in over 75 countries and its products are sold in over 180 countries. A subsidiary of Nestlé, Alcon is a Swiss corporation.

Alcon's corporate strategy is to attempt to offer the broadest and most advanced product line in the industry, developing market share of core brands and seeking global registrations of products to fully utilise its network of 75 international subsidiaries. In 2006, Alcon obtained more than 500 new product approvals worldwide, including more than 70 in the key markets of the US, Canada, the EU, Japan and Australia.

Since Alcon's initial public offering in 2002, its sales and income have shown steady growth as it continues to maintain a leadership position in the eye care industry. The company is continuing its investment in: research and development programmes to advance its pipeline of potential new products; manufacturing; and marketing support.

Sales growth was seen in all pharmaceutical categories in 2006, and in the short term this looks set to continue. However, as patent expiries begin to affect the sales of a number of Alcon's major products, the company will face an increasingly challenging environment as it seeks to advance development products to market. In addition, Alcon faces significant competition in ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, including competition from other companies with an ophthalmic focus and from larger pharmaceutical companies. The successful approval of Alcon's major late-stage development product, Retaane, will be crucial, along with the population of the pipeline with further new projects.