The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that Alcon, Inc. and Alcon Research, LLC have abandoned their plans to acquire LENSAR, Inc. This decision comes after the FTC's Bureau of Competition identified substantial competitive concerns regarding the merger.

Alcon and LENSAR are two of the leading companies in the market for femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) devices. The merger was seen as a threat to the ongoing price competition and innovation that has benefited both doctors and patients in this field. The FTC noted that the two companies were engaged in a price war that had led to lower costs for FLACS procedures.

Daniel Guarnera, the Bureau's Director, emphasized that competitors should not attempt to eliminate rivals to escape competitive pressures. The evidence gathered during the investigation indicated significant potential consumer harm, prompting the merging firms to withdraw rather than face legal challenges from the FTC.

The FTC's actions are aimed at preserving competition in the FLACS market, fostering innovation, and protecting American jobs in manufacturing. The Bureau of Competition, along with the Bureau of Economics and the Florida Attorney General’s Office, collaborated closely throughout the investigation to ensure a thorough review of the proposed merger.