Monsanto and Sumitomo Chemical enter new global crop protection collaboration

Monsanto Company and Sumitomo Chemical Company, Ltd. recently announced a new global agreement that will focus on developing and delivering next-generation weed control solutions to further help growers manage tough-to-control weeds.

 

Monsanto has a robust pipeline of multi-generational herbicide trait upgrades in its research and development pipeline that are designed to provide multiple and additional modes of action for weed control well into the future. This includes PPO-herbicide tolerance traits, which are in the early phases of research and development and are expected to be included in Monsanto’s future generation multi-herbicide tolerant trait stacks. In addition to its existing portfolio, Sumitomo Chemical has been developing a new generation PPO chemistry that has shown broader spectrum control with application flexibility that has the potential to enhance current and future weed control systems.

 

Under the new global agreement, Monsanto and Sumitomo Chemical will work together and in parallel to create an integrated system of germplasm, biotechnology and crop protection that will represent this new generation of weed control solutions. As part of this, Monsanto and Sumitomo Chemical will collaborate in the development, registration and commercialization of Sumitomo Chemical’s key PPO chemistries including its new generation PPO herbicide for over-the-top and conventional herbicide application use in Monsanto’s future generation weed management systems, as well as conventional applications for certain other crop uses. The new generation PPO herbicide is expected to be available within brands offered by both companies. By working in parallel to develop multiple aspects of this enhanced weed control solutions that has the potential to benefit all major global field crops, the agreement will leverage both companies’ capabilities, including Monsanto's strength in integrated field testing and development. The next-generation herbicide is expected to be commercially available early in the next decade, pending regulatory approvals. Additional details of the agreement were not disclosed.

 

“I’m really excited about Sumitomo Chemical’s next generation weed control technology,” said Robb Fraley, Monsanto Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. “This next-generation PPO herbicide has remarkable broad spectrum effect against both grass and broadleaf weeds, which will make it an excellent, complementary addition to the Roundup Ready® platform. The product’s low use rate, together with a unique mode of action effective against resistant PPO weeds, will be valuable to corn, soy and cotton growers.”

 

Ray Nishimoto, Sumitomo Chemical Representative Director & Senior Managing Executive Officer, President of Health & Crop Sciences Sector, said, “This collaboration combines the strength of Monsanto to discover and develop herbicide tolerance traits with Sumitomo Chemical's world-class discovery program for new crop protection products that are highly effective for sustainable weed management.”

 

This announcement builds on the strong collaboration the two companies have had for many years through the Roundup Ready PLUS® Crop Management platform to bring farmers the best-performing herbicide solutions to manage tough and resistant weeds.