On 22 March 2025, a jury in Georgia ruled that Bayer must pay an eye-watering 2.1 billion dollars in damages tied to its controversial herbicide, Roundup, which contains the controversial ingredient glyphosate.
Glyphosate-based herbicides consist of a glyphosate salt, typically mixed with additional components that enhance the formula’s stability and facilitate plant absorption. Roundup, created by Monsanto in the 1970s, was the first glyphosate-based herbicide. It is highly effective at managing weeds and is widely used in producing grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
In the ten months after Bayer acquired Monsanto in June 2018, the company’s stock value plummeted by 46% due to investor concerns over the 11,200 lawsuits filed against its subsidiary. By 2023, Bayer faced approximately 165,000 claims, primarily asserting that Roundup was responsible for causing cancer. The company has resolved tens of thousands of these claims and committed to paying billions in damages; however, as of March 2025, over 60,000 similar claims remain unresolved.
In a statement released after the verdict, the company expressed disagreement with the jury’s outcome, asserting that it does not align with scientific evidence or the evaluations of regulators worldwide.
Bayer has stated that although, in 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic,” many health organizations globally have determined that glyphosate does not pose a cancer risk. Bayer maintains that its herbicide products are safe.
The recent ruling in Georgia adds to the increasing pressure on Bayer to reach a comprehensive resolution for outstanding claims. With heightened public concern over the safety of glyphosate and escalating financial responsibilities, Bayer may need to reassess its approach to ongoing litigation. Analysts caution that the uncertainty surrounding glyphosate-related lawsuits could negatively impact investor confidence and limit Bayer’s capacity to invest in other growth opportunities.
