Alcon Seeks Visionary Merger with LENSAR in $430M Deal
Deal News | Apr 03, 2025 | TT Capital Partners LLC
This week's Healthcare M&A Weekly, released on April 3, 2025, by TT Capital Partners LLC, provides a detailed overview of recent transactions and investments in the healthcare sector. The report highlights Alcon's definitive agreement to acquire LENSAR for up to $430 million and its majority interest acquisition in Aurion Biotech. Ascend Learning's acquisition of Clover Learning and Kardigan's acquisition of Prolaio are also key transactions. The article details significant funding rounds, including Character Biosciences' $93M Series B, Epicrispr Biotechnologies' $68M first Series B closing, and Layer Health's $21M Series A round. HOPE Therapeutics' binding LOI to acquire a majority interest in Neurospa, and VisiQuate's acquisition of Rotera underscore the diversification in healthcare mergers. Major funding rounds like Supira's $120M Series E and Tempero Bio's $70M Series B reflect a trend towards expanding capabilities in medical technology and biotechnology sectors. These activities illustrate the ongoing innovation and consolidation within the healthcare industry, driven by the blurring of lines between technology and services.
Sectors
- Healthcare
- Biotechnology
Geography
- United States – Many of the companies mentioned, such as Alcon and Ascend Learning, are based in or operate within the United States, which is a hub for healthcare innovations and M&A activity.
Industry
- Healthcare – The article discusses mergers and acquisitions within the healthcare sector, highlighting transactions affecting medical technologies, biopharmaceuticals, and healthcare services.
- Biotechnology – Several companies in the article, such as Epicrispr Biotechnologies and Tempero Bio, are involved in biotechnological advancements, indicating the relevance of this sector.
Financials
- $430M – Total consideration for Alcon's acquisition of LENSAR.
- $93M – Series B financing raised by Character Biosciences.
- $68M – First close of Series B financing by Epicrispr Biotechnologies.
- $21M – Series A funding raised by Layer Health.
- $120M – Series E financing attained by Supira.
- $70M – Series B financing closed by Tempero Bio.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcon | Acquirer | Company | A global leader in eye care, involved in a merger agreement to acquire LENSAR. |
| LENSAR | Target | Company | A medical technology company focused on laser solutions for cataract treatment, being acquired by Alcon. |
| Aurion Biotech | Target | Company | A clinical-stage company developing cell therapies, with Alcon acquiring a majority interest. |
| Ascend Learning | Acquirer | Company | A healthcare and learning software company acquiring Clover Learning. |
| Clover Learning | Target | Company | A pioneer in online diagnostic imaging education, acquired by Ascend Learning. |
| Character Biosciences | Target | Company | Secured $93M in Series B financing to transform drug development for polygenic diseases. |
| Epicrispr Biotechnologies | Target | Company | Focused on developing curative therapies, secured $68M in first Series B financing. |
| HOPE Therapeutics | Bidder | Company | Signed a Letter of Intent to acquire a majority interest in Neurospa. |
| Neurospa | Target | Company | An operator of six interventional psychiatry clinics, subject to acquisition by HOPE Therapeutics. |
| Kardigan | Acquirer | Company | A heart health company acquiring Prolaio to advance cardiology research. |
| Prolaio | Target | Company | A clinical intelligence company acquired by Kardigan. |
| Layer Health | Target | Company | A healthcare AI company that received $21M in Series A funding to enhance its platform. |
| Supira | Target | Company | A clinical-stage company raising $120M in Series E financing to innovate pVAD market. |
| Tempero Bio | Target | Company | Closed a $70M Series B financing to develop treatments for substance use disorders. |
| VisiQuate | Acquirer | Company | Acquired Rotera to enhance AI-driven automation in healthcare. |
| Rotera | Target | Company | A company based in Denver, CO, acquired by VisiQuate strengthening AI automation. |