Following a string of defeats, Bayer has clinched victory in a glyphosate lawsuit in the United States. A jury in San Benito County, California, declared that the weedkiller glyphosate bears no responsibility for the plaintiff's illness. Bayer was overjoyed, announcing they had successfully defended 10 out of the last 15 lawsuits, boosting their confidence in their courtroom approach.
The DAX-listed pharmaceutical and agrochemical giant, based in Leverkusen, Germany, has faced a multitude of challenges recently. Their chemistry division has endured setbacks, both in court and during the development of a crucial drug candidate.
Last week, a US jury in Washington State ordered Bayer to pay a staggering $857 million in damages for alleged health effects tied to PCBs, a chemical once extensively used but now outlawed. Bayer intends to appeal, following their usual course of action in such situations.
PCBs and glyphosate are recurring issues in legal disputes against Bayer, a legacy of their US agrochemical subsidiary, Monsanto, which they acquired for over $60 billion in 2018. With glyphosate, the question of carcinogenicity to humans remains contentious. Bayer staunchly denies any misconduct.
Key Insights:
- Glyphosate lawsuits against Bayer involve approximately 177,000 cases, with a compensation fund of $16 billion reserved for settlements.
- Despite recent court setbacks, Bayer remains optimistic and continues to assert the safety of Roundup, relying on scientific endorsements from global regulators.
- Bayer is actively lobbying for legislative protection, targeting FIFRA preemption legislation and advancing a bill in the Iowa Senate to restrict pesticide-related illness lawsuits.
