Bayer faces trial over remaining Roundup claims after Supreme Court win

• Three plaintiffs who developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma claim Monsanto failed to adequately test Roundup before selling it, pursuing design-defect claims not barred by the June Supreme Court ruling
• Bayer faces approximately 65,000 claims in U.S. courts and is seeking approval for a $7.25 billion class action settlement covering nearly all cases
• The trial could indicate how courts will treat design-defect claims versus warning label claims, with the litigation having cost Bayer billions since its 2018 Monsanto acquisition

Summary

Key Development: Bayer faces a Missouri trial over Roundup weedkiller cancer claims involving three women with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, testing legal theories not directly addressed by a recent Supreme Court victory for the company.

Legal Background:

• Bayer confronts approximately 65,000 claims in U.S. courts from plaintiffs alleging Roundup caused cancer
• Company is seeking approval for a $7.25 billion class action settlement to resolve nearly all existing and future claims
• Supreme Court ruled in Bayer's favor in June regarding warning label allegations, but current trial focuses on design-defect claims

Trial Details:

Plaintiffs Theresa Aretino, Cynthia Fernandez (who died before trial), and Betty Larkin opted out of the settlement, alleging Monsanto failed to adequately test Roundup before sale. Their attorney Greg Dovel argued the EPA's safety review was outdated and based on incomplete science, with re-evaluation not expected until end of 2026.

Bayer's Defense:

The company maintains that decades of studies prove glyphosate, Roundup's active ingredient, is safe and doesn't cause cancer. Bayer's attorney Paul Boehm contends plaintiffs cannot prove the herbicide is too dangerous, citing worldwide regulatory safety reviews.

Market Implications:

This trial serves as an early indicator of how courts will handle design-defect claims post-Supreme Court ruling. The Roundup litigation has significantly impacted Bayer since its 2018 Monsanto acquisition, costing billions and pressuring the company's stock price. The outcome could affect the viability of remaining lawsuits and influence the pending $7.25 billion settlement's approval.