September 19, 2012. Source: Reuters (by Andrew Thompson)
The world's largest agribusiness company Syngenta said on Wednesday it will acquire U.S. biotech company Pasteuria Bioscience Inc in a deal worth $86 million, with additional deferred payments of up to $27 million.
The two companies already collaborate in the development and commercialization of biological products to control plant-parasitic nematodes.Nematodes are a major pest across all crops and the withdrawal of older solutions leaves growers with limited options.
A first seed treatment for soybean cyst nematode stemming from the collaboration will be available in the U.S. in 2014, Syngenta said.