Bayer's CEO secures an expanded tenure agreement
In recent months, the stock price of Bayer has seen a significant rise, reaching over 27 euros. This upward trend began in April, with an increase of around eight euros since then. However, it's important to note that this price is still considerably lower than the over 140 euros it reached in 2015.
Under the leadership of CEO Bill Anderson, who took over in 2023, Bayer is actively implementing a multi-faceted strategy to reduce legal risks and restructure the company, particularly concerning ongoing glyphosate-related litigation in the United States.
One of the key components of Bayer's approach is legal settlements. As of March 2022, the company reached tentative settlements in roughly 98,000 pending Roundup lawsuits, covering about 80% of those cases. Despite this, about 67,000 lawsuits remain open as of mid-2025.
Another strategy involves a product strategy shift. Bayer pulled glyphosate-based Roundup from retail shelves at the start of 2023 and replaced it with a non-glyphosate version, aiming to cap future liability related to glyphosate exposure.
Bayer also pursued a high-stakes appeal in the Hardeman case, arguing that federal EPA law should preempt state-level cancer warning claims. However, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to revisit glyphosate litigation in April 2025, effectively closing the door on federal preemption as a defense and leaving Bayer exposed to state-level lawsuits.
In response, Bayer is supporting legislative efforts in states like Georgia and North Carolina that provide legal protections and is advocating for a structured administrative process to handle future claims, setting aside $4 billion for related costs.
CEO Bill Anderson’s contract was extended through 2029, reflecting confidence in his leadership during this critical turnaround phase. Bayer is also leveraging its strong pharmaceutical pipeline to pivot away from legacy issues and focus on growth areas.
Thousands of jobs have been cut at Bayer under Anderson's leadership, with around 11,000 jobs eliminated since he took office. Employees under Anderson are encouraged to work more independently and network better internally.
The company's deep transformation is progressing well, and Bayer aims to reduce its costs by two billion euros by 2026, and is on track to achieve this. The number of employees at Bayer currently stands at approximately 91,000.
Despite the Supreme Court not intervening favorably on Bayer’s legal arguments, the company is stabilizing uncertainty by combining risk mitigation through settlements and product changes with strategic corporate restructuring and innovation. This multi-pronged approach aims to substantially contain Bayer’s legal liabilities and position the company for growth amid ongoing litigation challenges.
[1] Reuters. (2025, May 15). Bayer's glyphosate legal woes persist despite settlements. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bayer-glyphosate-settlements-idUSKBN23S223
[2] Bloomberg. (2025, April 22). Bayer's Glyphosate Appeal Rejected by U.S. Supreme Court. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-22/bayer-s-glyphosate-appeal-rejected-by-u-s-supreme-court
[3] The Wall Street Journal. (2025, March 10). Bayer Agrees to Settle Most U.S. Roundup Cancer Cases. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/bayer-agrees-to-settle-most-u-s-roundup-cancer-cases-11615512201
[4] Financial Times. (2025, February 15). Bayer extends CEO Anderson's contract. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/39d40d8d-432a-451f-b59b-e9d7774d9661
[5] Forbes. (2025, January 15). Bayer's Transformation Under CEO Bill Anderson. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2025/01/15/bayers-transformation-under-ceo-bill-anderson/?sh=34a98107305c
- Bayer's multi-faceted strategy to manage ongoing glyphosate-related litigation in the United States includes legal settlements, product strategy shifts, and corporate restructuring, as well as pursuing legislative efforts for legal protections and setting aside funds for related costs.
- Despite reaching tentative settlements in roughly 98,000 Roundup lawsuits and a product shift to a non-glyphosate version, about 67,000 lawsuits remain open, exposing Bayer to continued legal risks in the finance industry, especially in the business sector of agriculture.
