November 27, 2007

Bayer in joint venture with software companies for new soy seed varieties

German chemical and drug manufacturer Bayer AG has signed a research agreement with US software developers Mertec LLC and M.S. Technolgies LLC to create new soy seeds that are tolerant to two or more herbicides for farmers to have more options for weed control.

The companies aim to jointly develop soy varieties that resist both glyphosat herbicide as well as so-called HPPD inhibitors, a class of herbicides that include Bayer's isoxaflutol compound. No financial details were disclosed.

Developing soy plants also tolerant to a third weed killer, Bayer's Liberty, will also be included in the later stages of the collaboration, the company said.

Bayer, the world's largest supplier of conventional farming pesticides, and M.S. Technologies already work together on a soy seed that withstands the effect of Liberty, which the companies plan to bring to market in 2009, Bayer added.

Bayer will seek regulatory approval to market both the new seeds and the corresponding crop chemicals worldwide.