Syngenta challenges Monsanto with GM corn seeds

Syngenta AG, the world's third-biggest seed company, plans to challenge Monsanto Co. with next year's launch of Viptera corn seeds genetically modified to combat damaging insects, chief executive officer Michael Mack said.

Syngenta is trying to expand its 8.5% share of US corn seed with Viptera, which received US regulatory approval last month.

Viptera will be combined with the Basel, Switzerland-based company's triple-stack seed, an alternative to Monsanto genetics, which contains three propriety traits that resist insects and tolerate weed killer. Syngenta has developed more new traits with less research spending than its rivals, Mack said.

The company spends about US$400 million a year on seed research and development compared with about US$500 million at DuPont, the second-biggest seed company, Mack said. Monsanto, the biggest, spends almost all its US$1.1 billion research budget on seeds.

DuPont's Pioneer seed unit agreed to license Viptera, which will also be available in Brazil, Mack said. Viptera controls above-ground insects, such as corn earworm and fall armyworm.