A recent U.S. Patent Office decision favoring Monsanto in a dispute involving synthetic B.t. insect resistant crops will have no effect on the sales or use of Herculex I Corn Insect Protection technology, Dow AgroSciences announced today. Dow AgroSciences already has a license to the Monsanto patent applications that were the subject of the dispute.

"We were disappointed with the Patent Office ruling and are evaluating our options for appeal," said Pete Siggelko, Dow AgroSciences Vice President for Plant Genetics and Biotechnology. "However, the decision has no impact on our current business."

Herculex I corn is the only in-plant insect-protection trait on the market that protects corn against both Western bean cutworm as well as European corn borer. Herculex I corn hybrids are currently available from Mycogen Seeds and Triton Genetics LLC.

Dow AgroSciences, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a global leader in providing pest management and biotechnology products that improve the quality and quantity of the earth's food supply and contribute to the health and quality of life of the world's growing population. Dow AgroSciences has approximately 6,000 people in over 50 countries dedicated to its business, and has worldwide sales of more than US $2.7 billion. Dow AgroSciences is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company.