- Adds Conventional and Transgenic Germplasm to Portfolio
- India Research Facility Bolsters Regional Operations

Delta and Pine Land Company (NYSE:DLP) ("D&PL" or the "Company"), a leading commercial breeder, producer and marketer of cotton planting seed, today announced that it has acquired Syngenta's (NYSE: SYT) global cotton seed business, comprised of operations and assets in India, Brazil, Europe, and certain cotton germplasm in the United States.  The primary assets involved consist of conventional and transgenic germplasm containing Syngenta's VipCot™ insect-resistant cotton genes.  D&PL acquired a license to VipCot in 2004 and expects to commercialize varieties containing these traits in 2008 or 2009, subject to receiving regulatory approvals.  Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Tom Jagodinski, President and CEO of D&PL said, "Syngenta's cotton germplasm assets contain a number of high yielding lines for the U.S., India, and potentially other markets around the world.  This acquisition further strengthens our already robust cotton germplasm portfolio and enhances our VipCot development pipeline.  The acquisition of additional Indian assets is an excellent geographic fit and a natural extension of our business strategy.  With this acquisition, we now have cotton seed germplasm and distribution assets in each of the three primary growing regions of India." 

Ioana Tudor, Global Head, Corn, Soybean and Cotton Traits of Syngenta, states, "We are pleased with the strengthening of our relationship with Delta and Pine Land, the global cotton seed market leader.   Syngenta will continue to focus on the development of VipCot™, a novel insect control trait.   Syngenta is dedicated to delivering a full range of innovations, from traits to chemistries, and this will support our programs to further build offerings for cotton growers."

Delta and Pine Land Company is a leading commercial breeder, producer and marketer of cotton planting seed.  Headquartered in Scott, Mississippi, with multiple offices in eight states and facilities in several foreign countries, D&PL also breeds, produces and markets soybean planting seed in the U.S. 

D&PL is a registered trademark of Delta and Pine Land Company.
VipCot is a trademark of Syngenta.