Bayer ‘making headway’ on improving profitability in agricultural business

Addressing the additional strategic priorities that Bayer (BAYRY) is pursuing, CEO Bill Anderson began by highlighting Pharmaceuticals’ performance. “Beyond the operational success of our Pharma business, we continue to see newsflow on our pipeline and launch assets.” The company is also making headway on its plan to improve profitability in the agricultural business, Anderson said, adding that the Crop Science Division is now in a position to streamline production and operations. The division has also reached a number of important milestones for its crop protection portfolio, with the Environmental Protection Agency proposing approval for dicamba in the United States, for instance. In addition, Bayer recently submitted icafolin, a herbicide molecule with blockbuster potential, for approval in the United States, Canada, Brazil and the European Union.