Bayer Stock Up as Government Backs Supreme Court Review in Roundup Case

Core Insights - Bayer's shares increased by 12.1% following the Solicitor General's support for a Supreme Court review of its Roundup weedkiller case, indicating potential positive influence on the court's consideration of Bayer's petition [1][9] - The company has faced numerous lawsuits related to Roundup, with significant litigation costs incurred due to allegations that glyphosate, the active ingredient, caused cancer [2][3] Litigation Overview - Bayer acquired Roundup through the 2018 buyout of Monsanto, which has been the subject of multiple lawsuits alleging cancer risks associated with glyphosate [2] - As of October 15, 2025, 28 Roundup-related trials have concluded, with Monsanto winning 17 cases, while plaintiffs received compensatory damages in the others [4] - Bayer has reserved $7.6 billion (€6.5 billion) for glyphosate litigation as of September 30, 2025, accounting for potential settlements and appeals [7] Recent Developments - Bayer filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court in April 2025, seeking clarification on federal versus state law regarding failure-to-warn claims in glyphosate litigation [5] - In June 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court requested the Solicitor General's opinion on the case, while Bayer settled approximately 17,000 claims [6] Financial Performance - Bayer's stock has surged 101.3% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the industry growth of 16.1%, driven by new drug approvals and positive pipeline developments [8] - Key drugs such as Nubeqa and Kerendia are contributing to growth in Bayer's pharmaceuticals division, offsetting declines in Xarelto sales [10] Drug Approvals and Pipeline Progress - The European Commission approved elinzanetant for treating vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, expanding Bayer's product offerings [12] - The FDA granted accelerated approval to Hyrnuo for specific lung cancer treatments, further enhancing Bayer's portfolio [13] - Bayer's pipeline candidate asundexian showed promising results in a late-stage study for secondary stroke prevention, with plans for global marketing authorization applications [14][15]