Bausch + Lomb to Acquire Technolas Perfect Vision GmbH

ROCHESTER, New York and MUNICH, Nov. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Bausch + Lomb, the global eye health company, announced today that it has exercised its option to purchase all outstanding and unowned shares of Technolas™ Perfect Vision GmbH (TPV), a leading ophthalmology laser company. Technolas Perfect Vision was established in 2009 through a joint venture between Bausch + Lomb and 20/10 PERFECT VISION AG to develop and sell advanced refractive and cataract technologies. The deal is expected to close at the end of January 2013.

Bausch + Lomb and Technolas Perfect Vision entered into a co-promotion agreement back in September 2011, which also included an option for Bausch + Lomb to purchase the company if certain key milestones were achieved. Since that time, the companies have leveraged their combined cataract and refractive expertise and commercial capabilities to promote and further advance the VICTUS™ femtosecond laser, which is capable of supporting cataract and corneal procedures on a single platform. In the last twelve months, the VICTUS platform received marketing approval from regulatory authorities in Europe and the U.S., and the companies are continuing to file registrations in other parts of the world as they accelerate the roll-out.

"Our acquisition of Technolas Perfect Vision represents an important milestone for Bausch + Lomb, but perhaps more importantly, for cataract and refractive patients worldwide," said Brent Saunders, president and chief executive officer, Bausch + Lomb. "The Technolas Perfect Vision team has built a great company and from my perspective, the most innovative ophthalmic lasers in the industry."

"Our systems for refractive and cataract procedures complement Bausch + Lomb's surgical portfolio and will help accelerate our expansion into the faster growing segments of the ocular surgery market," said Kristian Hohla, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Technolas Perfect Vision. "Together, we've proven our ability to introduce and market the highly innovative and differentiated VICTUS Femtosecond Laser Platform, and we look forward to working with our Bausch + Lomb colleagues to further advance ocular surgery using other laser-based technologies."

Adds John Barr, executive vice president and president, Bausch + Lomb Global Surgical, "Technolas Perfect Vision's unique femtosecond and excimer laser platforms complement our broad-based product offering of equipment, instruments and intraocular lenses for cataract and vitreoretinal surgery, making us the 'one-stop shop' for eye surgeons. Our goal is to provide a compelling choice of products to fit the specific needs of their practice and patients. We intend to continue to invest in development and clinical programs that build upon their strong leadership position in laser-based surgical platforms. We look forward to working with Kristian and his team to provide physicians with systems that improve a wide range of sight-enhancing surgeries."

About Technolas Perfect Vision

Technolas Perfect Vision GmbH is a leading ophthalmology laser company, formed through a joint venture between Bausch + Lomb, and 20/10 PERFECT VISION AG. Technolas Perfect Vision has a full range of expertise in both femtosecond and excimer businesses. Current innovations focus on laser cataract surgery and the correction of presbyopia with the SUPRACOR™ laser treatment. More information is available at www.technolaspv.com and www.better-reading-vision.net.

About Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb is one of the best-known and most respected healthcare companies in the world. Its core businesses include contact lenses and lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments, and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. Founded in 1853, the company is headquartered in Rochester, NY, and employs roughly 11,000 people worldwide. Its products are available in more than 100 countries. More information is available at www.bausch.com.

VICTUS is a trademark of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates.

TECHNOLAS™ and SUPRACOR™ are trademarks of TECHNOLAS™ Perfect Vision GmbH.

© 2012 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.

News Media Contacts:
Jeanie Herbert
Global Surgical Communications, Bausch + Lomb
+1-949-521-7948, +1-714-325-3584 (mobile) or jeanie.herbert@bausch.com

Elizabeth Murphy
Global Communications, Bausch + Lomb
+1-585-338-8528 or elizabeth.murphy@bausch.com

Tad Heitmann
BioComm Network on behalf of Bausch + Lomb
+1-714-273-2937 or theitmann@BioCommNetwork.com

Lindsay Brooks
Manager, Medical Communications, Technolas Perfect Vision
+44-7825-769-007 (mobile) or l.brooks@technolaspv.com