By Adria Calatayud

Bayer said it was ordered to pay $2.1 billion in a case about its Roundup weedkiller after a jury in a Georgia state court reached a verdict in favor of the plaintiff.

The German agricultural and pharmaceutical group said the verdict from the jury Friday in a trial in the State Court of Cobb County, Georgia, includes $2 billion in punitive damages and $65 million in compensatory damages.

"We disagree with the jury's verdict, as it conflicts with the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence and the consensus of regulatory bodies and their scientific assessments worldwide," Bayer said. "We believe that we have strong arguments on appeal to get this verdict overturned and the excessive and unconstitutional damage awards eliminated or reduced."

The decision marks the latest legal setback for a company that has been for years fighting lawsuits stemming from its $63 billion acquisition of Monsanto, which developed Roundup. Critics have argued that glyphosate, the active ingredient found in Roundup, causes cancer though Bayer has long maintained that glyphosate is safe to use.

Bayer said it is currently evaluating the cases that would present the best opportunity to file a petition for review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Write to Adria Calatayud at adria.calatayud@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 24, 2025 03:22 ET (07:22 GMT)

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