Syngenta, Dow AgroSciences Agree to Cross License Corn Traits
April 01 2009 - 1:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
INDIANAPOLIS, and BASEL, Switzerland, April 1
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Syngenta and Dow AgroSciences, a wholly
owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, today announced an
agreement to cross license their respective corn traits for
commercialization within their branded seed businesses. The
agreement will allow both companies to maximize the value of their
technologies and to bring greater choice and flexibility to
growers. Under the terms of the agreement, Syngenta will receive
global non-exclusive licenses, with stacking rights, to Dow
AgroSciences' Herculex(R) I Insect Protection for broad
lepidopteran control and to Herculex(R) RW for corn rootworm
control. Additionally, Dow AgroSciences will receive global
non-exclusive licenses with stacking rights to Syngenta's
Agrisure(R) GT trait for glyphosate tolerance, and to its insect
control traits Agrisure(R) CB/LL for corn borer and Agrisure(R) RW
for corn rootworm. The licenses also include access to Syngenta's
Agrisure Viptera(TM) trait for broad lepidoptera and to a second
generation trait for corn rootworm control. Davor Pisk, Chief
Operating Officer of Syngenta Seeds, said, "We are very pleased to
have reached this agreement which significantly expands the options
available to growers while further demonstrating the value of our
proprietary technology. The combination of Herculex(R) Insect
Protection traits with our Agrisure(R) portfolio represents a major
advance in insect control. From 2011 we plan to offer our U.S.
customers multiple modes of action targeting refuge reduction and
improved efficacy." Jerome Peribere, President and CEO of Dow
AgroSciences, said, "With the combination of technologies, corn
growers will benefit from increased flexibility through their
preferred trait platforms, and we continue to be pleased that
growers find the industry-leading Herculex(R) technology to be a
valuable option to increase productivity due to improved pest
protection." Financial terms of the agreement have not been
disclosed. About Syngenta Syngenta is one of the world's leading
companies with more than 24,000 employees in over 90 countries
dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through
world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers
we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and
improve health and quality of life. For more information about us
please go to http://www.syngenta.com/. About Dow AgroSciences Dow
AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a
top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of science
and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what
is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences provides
innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation
management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology to serve
the world's growing population. Global sales for Dow AgroSciences,
a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, were $4.5
billion in 2008. Learn more at http://www.dowagro.com/. Herculex(R)
is a trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Agrisure(R), Agrisure
Viptera(TM) and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta
Group Company.Agrisure Viptera(TM) is not currently approved for
sale or use in the U.S. and is not being offered or promoted for
sale. Agrisure Viptera(TM) will not be available for sale until all
necessary regulatory approvals and authorizations have been
granted. Syngenta Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements This document contains forward-looking statements, which
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'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on
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differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's
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Commission for information about these and other risks and
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forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed
assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or
form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any
solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any
ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form
the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract
therefore. The Dow Chemical Company Forward-Looking Statement Note:
The following statements contained in this document involve risks
and uncertainties that may affect the Company's operations,
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in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks
and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic,
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Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company's expectations
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revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances
change, except as otherwise required by securities and other
applicable laws. Syngenta International AG Media Office
Schwarzwaldallee 215 CH-4002 Basel Switzerland Telephone: +41 61
323 23 23 Fax: +41 61 323 24 24 http://www.syngenta.com/ Syngenta
Media contact: Medard Schoenmaeckers Switzerland +41 61 323 2323
Syngenta Analyst/Investor contacts: Jennifer Gough Switzerland +41
61 323 5059 USA +1 202 737 6521 John Hudson Switzerland +41 61 323
6793 USA +1 202 737 6520 Dow AgroSciences LLC 9330 Zionsville Road
Indianapolis Indiana United States http://www.dowagro.com/ Dow
AgroSciences Media contact: Robyn Heine USA +1 317 337 4807 The Dow
Chemical Company Analyst/Investor contact: Howard Ungerleider USA
+1 989 636 9814 DATASOURCE: Syngenta CONTACT: Media Office, Medard
Schoenmaeckers, Switzerland, +41-61-323-2323, fax +41-61-323-2424,
, or Analyst/Investors, Jennifer Gough, Switzerland,
+41-61-323-5059, or USA, +1-202-737-6521, or John Hudson,
Switzerland, +41-61-323-6793, or USA, +1-202-737-6520; both of
Syngenta International AG; or Media, Robyn Heine, Dow AgroSciences
LLC, USA, +1-317-337-4807, ; or Analyst/Investors, Howard
Ungerleider, The Dow Chemical Company, +1-989-636-9814 Web Site:
http://www.dowagro.com/ http://www.syngenta.com/
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