Monsanto and BASF announce progress in annual collaboration pipeline update
ST. LOUIS / LUDWIGSHAFEN, Jan. 7, 2015 – Monsanto Company’s (NYSE: MON) annual research and development (R&D) update published today highlights project advancements across the company’s six research and development platforms, including: breeding, biotechnology, crop protection, ag microbials, ag biologicals, and precision agriculture, all aimed at sustainably maximizing farmer productivity while utilizing resources like water and land more efficiently. Monsanto has a pipeline of exciting products in development, including yield and stress work in collaboration with BASF Plant Science. This yield and stress collaboration focuses on key row crops with joint investments of $2.5 billion over the life of the collaboration.
DroughtGard®
Helping mitigate the impact of weather on crop yield is critically important. Effects of drought can have a significant impact on farmers’ harvest.
During their first full season in 2014, DroughtGard® Hybrids again confirmed their performance advantage, laying ground for the platform expansion announced today.
DroughtGard® Platform Expansion
The company today highlighted the DroughtGard® Platform Expansion, in pipeline phase 3, designed to maximize yield potential in good growing conditions while helping corn plants resist drought stress, managing the risk associated with dry conditions by using water more efficiently. The product will also incorporate next generation corn rootworm protection from SmartStax® Pro, further expanding the DroughtGard® franchise in corn.
Visit http://www.genuity.com/corn/Pages/Genuity-DroughtGard-Hybrids.aspx to learn more.
Information for Investors
For more information about today’s earnings announcement, see the press release and supporting resources available at www.monsanto.com.
Investor Relations Contact
Monsanto (USA): Laura Meyer (phone: +314-694-8148)
BASF (Germany): Magdalena Moll (phone: +49-621-60-48230)
About BASF Plant Science
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. BASF Plant Science – a BASF group company – is one of the world’s leading companies providing innovative plant biotechnology solutions for agriculture. BASF Plant Science is helping farmers meet the growing demand for improved agricultural productivity and healthier nutrition. BASF Plant Science is where Innovation Yields Results and has developed an unparalleled gene discovery platform focusing on yield and quality traits in crops such as corn, soybean and rice. Jointly with leading partners in the seed industry BASF Plant Science is commercializing its products. Current projects include higher yielding row crops and higher content of specific omega-3’s (EPA/DHA) in oil crops for preventing cardiovascular diseases.
Further information on BASF Plant Science is available on the Internet at www.basf.com/plantscience.
About BASF
Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
About Monsanto Company
Monsanto is committed to bringing a broad range of solutions to help nourish our growing world. We produce seeds for fruits, vegetables and key crops – such as corn, soybeans, and cotton – that help farmers have better harvests while using water and other important resources more efficiently. We work to find sustainable solutions for soil health, help farmers use data to improve farming practices and conserve natural resources, and provide crop protection products to minimize damage from pests and disease. Through programs and partnerships, we collaborate with farmers, researchers, nonprofit organizations, universities and others to help tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. To learn more about Monsanto, our commitments and our more than 20,000 dedicated employees, please visit: discover.monsanto.com and monsanto.com. Follow our business on Twitter® at twitter.com/MonsantoCo, on the company blog, Beyond the Rows® at monsantoblog.com or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.
Monsanto: Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information:
Certain statements contained in this release are “forward-looking statements,” such as statements concerning the company’s anticipated financial results, current and future product performance, regulatory approvals, business and financial plans and other non-historical facts. These statements are based on current expectations and currently available information. However, since these statements are based on factors that involve risks and uncertainties, the company’s actual performance and results may differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others: continued competition in seeds, traits and agricultural chemicals; the company’s exposure to various contingencies, including those related to intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received, and public acceptance of biotechnology products; the success of the company’s research and development activities; the outcomes of major lawsuits and the previously-announced SEC investigation; developments related to foreign currencies and economies; successful operation of recent acquisitions; fluctuations in commodity prices; compliance with regulations affecting the company’s manufacturing; the accuracy of the company’s estimates related to distribution inventory levels; the recent increases in and expected higher levels of indebtedness; the company’s ability to fund its short-term financing needs and to obtain payment for the products that it sells; the effect of weather conditions, natural disasters and accidents on the agriculture business or the company’s facilities; and other risks and factors detailed in the company’s most recent periodic report to the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this release. The company disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any of the factors that may affect actual results.
Notes to editors: Monsanto and the Vine Design, DroughtGard®, SmartStax® Pro and Beyond the Rows are trademarks of Monsanto Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
BASF: Forward-looking statements
This release contains forward-looking statements based on current experience, estimates and projections of BASF management and currently available information. They are not guarantees of future performance, involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of BASF to be materially different from those that may be expressed or implied by such statements. BASF does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this release.
