Bayer's Missouri Jury Win and a 58% Metastasis Reduction Give Litigation-Weary Investors Fresh Ammunition

A unanimous Missouri jury verdict for Monsanto and a striking Phase III readout in prostate cancer landed in the same week Bayer reported a bottom line that remains stubbornly in the red — a juxtaposition that captures the two-track story the German group is currently telling.

The Roundup trial, decided on 29 October in the case of Theresa Aretino et al., was the first such case to reach a courtroom since the US Supreme Court's ruling in Durnell. According to Bayer, the plaintiffs were unable to present evidence for alternative grounds of claim following that decision. The company's subsidiary had already secured a unanimous glyphosate win in Missouri on 30 October, which Bayer described as the first Roundup case tried after Durnell. CEO Bill Anderson said on Tuesday that Bayer expects a decision on the proposed Roundup settlement, with Reuters reporting that a ruling on the 7.25 billion US dollar package is anticipated before Christmas.

A Factor-XIa First in China

On the pharmaceutical side, China's NMPA approved Asundexian under the brand name Sunharbo on 26 October. The green light covers reducing stroke risk in adults following a non-cardioembolic ischaemic stroke or a high-risk TIA. Bayer billed the drug as the world's first approved factor XIa inhibitor.

Two days earlier, the company had published interim results from the Phase III DASL-HiCaP study. Darolutamide, added to androgen deprivation therapy and radiotherapy, cut the combined risk of metastases or death by 58 percent versus placebo in prostate cancer patients at high risk of recurrence. The findings are interim, and the regimen under investigation combines all three treatments.

Operating Strength, Net Loss

For the third quarter of 2026, Bayer posted group revenue of 10.053 billion euros on Tuesday. EBITDA before special items came in at 1.615 billion euros, up 6.9 percent year on year, while adjusted earnings per share reached 0.31 euros. The quarter thus pairs a stronger operating result before special items with a net loss of 672 million euros.

Bayer raised its full-year guidance for the Pharmaceuticals margin, EBITDA before special items and free cash flow. At constant currencies, it now projects adjusted group EBITDA of 9.8 to 10.3 billion euros. The free cash flow forecast was lifted to between minus 1.5 and minus 0.5 billion euros, meaning the company still expects negative cash flow for the full year. Expected net debt at year-end was trimmed to 28.0 to 29.0 billion euros.

Chicago Beckons

Bayer has also flagged new cardiovascular, renal and stroke data for the AHA Scientific Sessions in Chicago, running 6 to 9 November 2026, an announcement made on Tuesday. On the equity side, the shares gave up 0.7 percent to close at 55.08 euros yesterday, with media reports attributing the move to profit-taking after a strong trading week.