1. STAAR acknowledges interest from another buyer not disclosed to the board. 2. Broadwood urges shareholders to vote against Alcon's proposed acquisition. 3. Broadwood holds 27.5% of STAAR's stock and questions board transparency. 4. Concerns raised over potential breaches of trust by STAAR's leadership. 5. A strategic buyer's outreach was ignored by STAAR's CEO.
Concerns over board transparency and governance can negatively affect investor confidence. Historically, similar governance issues have triggered sell-offs.
The article highlights governance issues and shareholder dissent affecting ALC's acquisition effects on stock price. The connection to a proposed significant transaction could enhance its impact on ALC.
The imminent shareholder vote significantly impacts market perceptions and stock behavior. Issues may keep investors cautious until the vote on October 23, 2025.
STAAR Belatedly Acknowledges Alternative Interest in Acquiring the Company
Reveals Entire Board Was Not Aware of Additional Interest When Recommending for Alcon Transaction
Broadwood Urges All Shareholders to Vote "AGAINST" Proposed Acquisition by Alcon
Broadwood Partners, L.P. and its affiliates ("Broadwood" or "we") today commented on the recent Current Report on Form 8-K filed by STAAR Surgical Company ("STAAR" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:STAA) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") of a "supplement" to the Company's definitive proxy statement, filed on September 16, 2025, in connection with the proposed acquisition of STAAR by Alcon Inc. ("Alcon") (NYSE:ALC). Broadwood, which owns 27.5% of STAAR's outstanding common stock, continues to urge its fellow shareholders to vote on its GREEN Proxy Card "AGAINST" the proposed acquisition on the terms announced August 5, 2025.
Neal C. Bradsher, Broadwood Founder and President, said:
"Fully twelve days ago we revealed that there was an outreach in April from the CEO of a strategic buyer that was seeking to engage in discussions regarding a transaction with STAAR and that the outreach was ignored by STAAR's CEO and Board Chair. STAAR first acknowledged this critical fact publicly this morning, buried among a dozen pages of disclosure. Importantly, STAAR has now acknowledged that its CEO and Board Chair did not alert fellow directors to this outreach, even though the potential counterparty has a strong strategic fit with STAAR and is backed by one of the largest and most respected private equity firms in the world.
The disclosure of the outreach from a strategic buyer, both to shareholders and to the other directors, is long overdue. It is completely unacceptable that the CEO and Board Chair of STAAR sought approval from the Board on their favored Alcon transaction without full disclosure to their fellow directors. It is even more disturbing that they have sought shareholder approval without disclosing this alternative interest until this morning. It is a breach of trust and transparency.
We can only wonder what other critical facts are as yet unknown to the rest of the Board and all shareholders. We again urge our fellow shareholders to vote AGAINST this transaction."
Shareholders can learn more at www.LetSTAARShine.com.
About Broadwood
Broadwood Partners, L.P. is managed by Broadwood Capital, Inc. Broadwood Capital is a private investment firm based in New York City. Neal C. Bradsher is the President of Broadwood Capital.
Certain Information Concerning the Participants
Broadwood Partners, L.P., Broadwood Capital, Inc., Neal C. Bradsher, Richard T. LeBuhn, Natalie R. Capasso, Raymond A. Myers and Jason J. Martin (collectively, the "Participants") are participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of STAAR in connection with the special meeting of shareholders scheduled for October 23, 2025 (including any adjournments, postponements, reschedulings or continuations thereof, the "Special Meeting"). The Participants have filed a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the "Definitive Proxy Statement") and accompanying GREEN Proxy Card to be used in connection with any such solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders for the Special Meeting. SHAREHOLDERS OF STAAR ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT THE PARTICIPANTS HAVE FILED OR WILL FILE WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE "SEC") BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING ABOUT THE MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON AT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO THE PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR DIRECT OR INDIRECT INTERESTS, BY SECURITY HOLDINGS OR OTHERWISE. The Definitive Proxy Statement and accompanying GREEN Proxy Card have been furnished to some or all of STAAR's shareholders and will be, along with other relevant documents, available at no charge on the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov/.
Information about the Participants and a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is contained on an amendment to Schedule 13D filed by the Participants with the SEC on September 26, 2025 and is available here.
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Investor Contacts
John Ferguson / Joseph Mills
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jmills@saratogaproxy.com
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Media Contacts
Scott Deveau / Jeremy Jacobs
August Strategic Communications
Broadwood@AugustCo.com
(323) 892-5562