Syngenta announced today that it has acquired rights to a commercially successful glyphosate tolerance technology in corn from Bayer CropScience. The technology, called GA21, enables farmers to control weeds in corn with post emergence applications of the non-selective herbicide glyphosate.

Syngenta will offer the technology in NK(R) brand hybrids and through licenses with other seed companies. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"This transaction gives Syngenta fast-track entry into an important segment of the corn crop protection market", said David Jones, Head of Business Development for Syngenta. "This valuable technology further strengthens our already broad product portfolio of corn hybrids, traits and crop protection products."

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2003 were approximately $6.6 billion. Syngenta employs some 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT).