Alcon Announces Plans to Build Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plant in Singapore

HUENENBERG, Switzerland--(Business Wire)--
Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:ACL) announced today that the company plans to
build a facility in Singapore that will manufacture pharmaceuticals to
be distributed throughout most of Asia. The company plans to break
ground in 2009 with the plant being fully functional in 2012. Alcon
will employ more than 150 employees within three years after
commencing production.

Over the past several years, Alcon's sales of pharmaceuticals that
treat diseases and conditions of the eye have risen at a compound
annual growth of more than 20 percent in Asian markets. This growth
has been driven by many of Alcon's major brands such as TRAVATAN(R),
PATANOL(R) and VIGAMOX(R) ophthalmic solutions, TOBRADEX(R) ophthalmic
ointment, and SYSTANE(R) eye drops. By building this plant, Alcon will
be able to more efficiently and cost-effectively distribute
pharmaceuticals in the high-growth countries in Asia.

"Given the rapid growth in this region, this plant is integral to
our ability to meet future market demands," said Ed McGough, Alcon's
senior vice president, global manufacturing and technical operations.
"After a lengthy and careful analysis of potential plant locations and
through close collaboration with the Singapore Economic Development
Board, we selected Singapore due to its highly skilled and reliable
workforce and well-established government infrastructure."

Alcon will lease a 20-acre plot of land on which the company will
build a 250,000 square foot facility in the Tuas Biomedical Park,
which is the location for many other pharmaceutical and biotechnology
company facilities. The company expects to manufacture at a rate of
more than 53 million units per year at this facility by the end of the
third year of operation.

"We are very pleased that Alcon, a leading global eyecare company,
has selected Singapore for its new manufacturing site in Asia, using
this as a strategic base to address the fast growing markets in this
region," said Ms. Aw Kah Peng, assistant managing director, Singapore
Economic Development Board (EDB). "Alcon's investment bears testimony
to Singapore's track record in manufacturing excellence, regulatory
compliance, excellent logistics and strong intellectual property
protection. This new facility will be a welcome addition to the
growing cluster of pharmaceutical and biotechnology plants in Tuas
Biomedical Park."

About Alcon (NYSE: ACL)

Alcon, Inc. is the world's leading eye care company, with sales of
approximately $5.6 billion in 2007. Alcon, which has been dedicated to
the ophthalmic industry for 60 years, researches, develops,
manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and
devices, contact lens care solutions and other vision care products
that treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements. This press release
may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any
forward- looking statements reflect the views of our management as of
the date of this press release with respect to future events and are
based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Given
these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required under the
federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated by
the Securities and Exchange Commission, we undertake no obligation to
publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements,
whether to reflect new information or future events or circumstances
or otherwise.

Alcon, Inc.
Doug MacHatton, (001) 817-551-8974
Vice President, Investor Relations
and Corporate Communications
doug.machatton@alconlabs.com
or
Kathleen Golden, (001) 817-551-4963
Manager, Corporate Communications
kathleen.golden@alconlabs.com
www.alcon.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008