Novartis announced that it is to exercise its option to acquire a further 52% of Alcon from Nestle for US$28.1 B. The Swiss pharma company had previously bought 25% of Alcon in 2008 and thus increasing its stake in Alcon to 77%. It is also aiming to acquire the remaining 23% held by minority shareholders for US$11.2 B ending the uncertainty of whether it will would seek full control or not. Novartis will fund the deal from existing cash resources and up to US$16 B of external debt financing.