<p>With the purchase of a majority stake, the total shareholding of Novartis in the eyecare firm would be 77 per cent.<br /><br />The Swiss firm in a statement said that it would acquire the 52 per cent stake in Alcon from Nestle, for USD 180 per share or about USD 28.1 billion.<br /><br />Earlier in 2008, Novartis had bought 25 per cent stake in Alcon from Nestle for about USD 10.4 billion which include an option to buy additional 52 per cent stake from the company.<br /><br />"Together, these transactions (buying 25 per cent and 52 per cent stake, respectively) are estimated to cost approximately USD 38.5 billion, and at an average cost of USD 168 per share," the statement noted.<br /><br />Subject to regulatory approvals, Novartis' acquisition of 52 per cent stake is expected to complete in the second half of 2010.<br /><br />The purchase would be funded with available liquidity and external debt financing, it said</p>
<p>With the purchase of a majority stake, the total shareholding of Novartis in the eyecare firm would be 77 per cent.<br /><br />The Swiss firm in a statement said that it would acquire the 52 per cent stake in Alcon from Nestle, for USD 180 per share or about USD 28.1 billion.<br /><br />Earlier in 2008, Novartis had bought 25 per cent stake in Alcon from Nestle for about USD 10.4 billion which include an option to buy additional 52 per cent stake from the company.<br /><br />"Together, these transactions (buying 25 per cent and 52 per cent stake, respectively) are estimated to cost approximately USD 38.5 billion, and at an average cost of USD 168 per share," the statement noted.<br /><br />Subject to regulatory approvals, Novartis' acquisition of 52 per cent stake is expected to complete in the second half of 2010.<br /><br />The purchase would be funded with available liquidity and external debt financing, it said</p>
