Biotech Updates

Monsanto and Bayer CropScience Enter Agreement

April 11, 2008

Monsanto Company signed a deal with Bayer CropScience for the development of a fungicide seed treatment for corn. The treatment is expected to be commercialized in conjunction with the planned release of Monsanto’s SmartStax corn line in 2010. SmartStax combines eight different insect protection and herbicide tolerance genes. The new seed treatment will be based on the Bayer CropScience’s product Vortex, a new fungicide that provides broad spectrum disease control and safety for corn seed. Under the agreement, Monsanto will have exclusive rights to commercialize the new seed treatment offering under its corn brand DEKALB as well as in the regional brands of American Seeds Inc.

The press release is available at  http://monsanto.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=591