ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) and Sumitomo Chemical Company, Ltd. today announced a new global agreement that will focus on developing and delivering next-generation weed control solutions to further help growers manage tough-to-control weeds. Monsanto has a robust pipeline of multi-generational herbicide trait upgrades in its research and development pipeline that are designed to provide multiple and additional modes of action for weed control well into the future. This includes PPO-herbicide tolerance traits, which are in the early phases of research and development and are expected to be included in Monsanto’s future generation multi-herbicide tolerant trait stacks. In addition to its existing portfolio, Sumitomo Chemical has been developing a new generation PPO chemistry that has shown broader spectrum control with application flexibility that has the potential to enhance current and future weed control systems. Under the new global agreement, Monsanto and Sumitomo Chemical will work together and in parallel to create an integrated system of germplasm, biotechnology and crop protection that will represent this new generation of weed control solutions. As part of this, Monsanto and Sumitomo Chemical will collaborate in the development, registration and commercialization of Sumitomo Chemical’s key PPO chemistries including its new generation PPO herbicide for over-the-top and conventional herbicide application use in Monsanto’s future generation weed management systems, as well as conventional applications for certain other crop uses. The new generation PPO herbicide is expected to be available within brands offered by both companies. By working in parallel to develop multiple aspects of this enhanced weed control solutions that has the potential to benefit all major global field crops, the agreement will leverage both companies’ capabilities, including Monsantos strength in integrated field testing and development. The next-generation herbicide is expected to be commercially available early in the next decade, pending regulatory approvals. Additional details of the agreement were not disclosed. “I’m really excited about Sumitomo Chemical’s next generation weed control technology,” said Robb Fraley, Monsanto Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. “This next-generation PPO herbicide has remarkable broad spectrum effect against both grass and broadleaf weeds, which will make it an excellent, complementary addition to the Roundup Ready® platform. The product’s low use rate, together with a unique mode of action effective against resistant PPO weeds, will be valuable to corn, soy and cotton growers.” Ray Nishimoto, Sumitomo Chemical Representative Director & Senior Managing Executive Officer, President of Health & Crop Sciences Sector, said, “This collaboration combines the strength of Monsanto to discover and develop herbicide tolerance traits with Sumitomo Chemicals world-class discovery program for new crop protection products that are highly effective for sustainable weed management.” This announcement builds on the strong collaboration the two companies have had for many years through the Roundup Ready PLUS® Crop Management platform to bring farmers the best-performing herbicide solutions to manage tough and resistant weeds. About Monsanto Company Monsanto is committed to bringing a broad range of solutions to help nourish our growing world. We produce seeds for fruits, vegetables and key crops – such as corn, soybeans, and cotton – that help farmers have better harvests while using water and other important resources more efficiently. We work to find sustainable solutions for soil health, help farmers use data to improve farming practices and conserve natural resources, and provide crop protection products to minimize damage from pests and disease. Through programs and partnerships, we collaborate with farmers, researchers, nonprofit organizations, universities and others to help tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. To learn more about Monsanto, our commitments and our more than 20,000 dedicated employees, please visit: discover.monsanto.com and monsanto.com. Follow our business on Twitter® at twitter.com/MonsantoCo, on the company blog, Beyond the Rows® at monsantoblog.com or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed. About Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Sumitomo Chemical is one of Japan’s leading chemical companies, offering a diverse range of products globally in the fields of petrochemicals, energy and functional materials, IT-related chemicals and materials, health and crop science products, and pharmaceuticals. The company’s consolidated net sales for fiscal year 2015 were JPY 2.1 trillion. For additional information, visit the company’s website at www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/. **The transaction may be subject to required regulatory approvals in some countries, and may only become effective after such required regulatory approvals are received. Monsanto Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Certain statements contained in this release are “forward-looking statements,” such as statements concerning the company’s anticipated financial results, current and future product performance, regulatory approvals, business and financial plans and other non-historical facts. These statements are based on current expectations and currently available information. However, since these statements are based on factors that involve risks and uncertainties, the company’s actual performance and results may differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others: continued competition in seeds, traits and agricultural chemicals; the company’s exposure to various contingencies, including those related to intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received, and public understanding and acceptance of our biotechnology and other agricultural products; the success of the company’s research and development activities; the outcomes of major lawsuits; developments related to foreign currencies and economies; the impact of exploring, responding to, entering into or consummating potential acquisitions or other transactions and proposals; fluctuations in commodity prices; compliance with regulations affecting our manufacturing; the accuracy of the company’s estimates related to distribution inventory levels; the recent increases in and expected higher levels of indebtedness; the company’s ability to fund its short-term financing needs and to obtain payment for the products that it sells; the effect of weather conditions, natural disasters, accidents, and security breaches, including cybersecurity incidents, on the agriculture business or the company’s facilities; and other risks and factors detailed in the company’s most recent periodic report to the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this release. The company disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any of the factors that may affect actual results. Sumitomo Chemical’s Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Certain statements contained in this release are “forward-looking statements,” such as statements concerning Sumitomo Chemical’s anticipated financial results, current and future product performance, regulatory approvals, business and financial plans and other non-historical facts. These statements are based on current expectations and currently available information. However, since these statements are based on factors that involve risks and uncertainties, Sumitomo Chemical’s actual performance and results may differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others: continued competition in traits or agricultural chemicals; Sumitomo Chemical’s exposure to various contingencies, including those related to intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received, or public understanding or acceptance of its products; the success of Sumitomo Chemical’s research or development activities; the outcomes of lawsuits it may currently or in future be under; developments related to foreign currencies or economies; the impact of exploring, responding to, entering into or consummating potential acquisitions or other transactions or proposals; fluctuations in prices; compliance with regulations affecting its manufacturing; the accuracy of Sumitomo Chemical’s estimates related to distribution inventory levels; the recent increases in or expected higher levels of indebtedness; Sumitomo Chemical’s ability to fund its short-term financing needs or to obtain payment for the products that it sells; the effect of weather conditions, natural disasters, accidents, or security breaches, including cybersecurity incidents, on its business or facilities; or other risks or factors that may be detailed in Sumitomo Chemical’s periodic reports to Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission of Japan, any other regulatory agencies or the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements contained in this release, which are current only as of the date of this release. Sumitomo Chemical disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any of the factors that may affect actual results.