Bayer is making every effort to substantially reduce glyphosate-related legal disputes by the close of 2026.
In an effort to contain the ongoing glyphosate litigation by the end of 2026, Bayer, the German pharmaceutical and life sciences company, has adopted a multi-pronged approach. This strategy includes settling a large number of cases confidentially and at low cost per case, fighting cases in courts to reduce the number of active claims, and lobbying for legislative immunity from future lawsuits.
As of August 2025, Bayer has settled approximately 17,000 glyphosate cases at a low cost per case. This strategic move has also helped the company cut down unresolved claims from 192,000 to 61,000 through recent settlement agreements. To further address these remaining cases, the company has allocated an additional $1.37 billion to handle these legal matters.
Bayer is also awaiting a key Supreme Court ruling anticipated next year on glyphosate safety and appeal issues. The company continues to challenge the scientific consensus on glyphosate’s cancer risk, backing its position with internal experts who argue glyphosate targets plant enzymes absent in humans. However, juries have frequently rejected this defense, resulting in massive verdicts against Bayer.
Despite these challenges, Bayer remains optimistic about the safety and non-carcinogenicity of glyphosate. The company is targeting an initial launch of the herbicide in Brazil and has submitted registration applications for its "blockbuster herbicide" icafolin-methyl in the US, Brazil, Canada, and the EU. Bayer is also optimistic in regaining registration for Dicamba for the next season.
The company's second-quarter 2025 earnings call saw CEO Bill Anderson express confidence in the strategy, stating that Bayer aims to significantly reduce glyphosate litigation by the end of 2026. Core business growth was reported at 3%, with seeds and traits up 11% for the quarter. Notably, corn sales rose by 30% in Q2 due to global price increases and acreage expansion.
However, Bayer faces significant litigation around polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Soy and cotton sales declined by 18% and 26%, respectively, due mostly to the Dicamba vacatur. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not identified any human health or dietary risks of concern with the use of Dicamba. The EPA has also proposed a decision to approve registration for new uses of Dicamba.
Bayer argues that plaintiffs should not be able to sue under state law for a failure to include warnings since the EPA has approved glyphosate-based product labels without requiring a cancer warning. The company is awaiting a decision from the Solicitor General regarding the Supreme Court taking up a glyphosate case. The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is expected to rule on a glyphosate case by the summer of next year.
In summary, Bayer's strategy to contain glyphosate litigation involves extensive settlements, ongoing appeals, and lobbying. The company is optimistic about its future, with plans for an initial launch of the herbicide in Brazil and registration applications for icafolin-methyl in various regions. Despite facing challenges, Bayer remains committed to its goal of significantly reducing glyphosate litigation by the end of 2026.
- To further strengthen its financial position and tackle the ongoing glyphosate litigation, Bayer has decided to invest heavily in the technology sector, specifically in data-and-cloud-computing and artificial-intelligence.
- In addition to its core business, Bayer has shown interest in the personal-finance industry, exploring potential acquisitions to expand its service offerings.
- Aware of the increasing importance of cybersecurity, especially in the digital landscape, Bayer has hired cybersecurity experts to ensure the safety and protection of its data.
- In an attempt to modernize and optimize its business operations, Bayer has begun integrating the latest gadgets, such as smartphones and tablets, into its day-to-day workflow.
- As part of its diversification strategy, Bayer is planning to foray into the finance industry, with a particular focus on the business of investing in various sectors, including the rapidly evolving field of technology.
