Swiss pharmaceutical group Novartis has bought a controlling stake in the world's largest eye care firm Alcon from Nestle for $28.1 billion (€19.7 billion).
The purchase of the additional 52% stake in Alcon follows a deal reached in 2008 between Novartis and food giant Nestle.
The deal saw Novartis buy about a quarter of Alcon for $10.4 billion, with an option to purchase Nestle's additional 52% majority stake from January 2010.
