Leverkusen, August 22, 2017 - Bayer today confirmed that the European Commission has initiated a Phase II investigation of the proposed combination of Bayer and Monsanto.

The company had expected further review of the proposed acquisition of Monsanto due to the size and scope of the transaction. Bayer believes that the proposed combination will be highly beneficial for farmers and consumers, and will continue to work closely and constructively with the European Commission in its investigation.

The companies notified the transaction to the European Commission on June 30, 2017, and submitted commitments on July 31, 2017.

Bayer looks forward to continuing to work constructively with the Commission with a view to obtaining the Commission's approval of the transaction by the end of this year.

Bayer: Science For A Better Life

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2016, the Group employed around 115,200 people and had sales of EUR 46.8 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.7 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go towww.bayer.com.

For more information please visit:www.advancingtogether.com

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this communication may constitute 'forward-looking statements.' Actual results could differ materially from those projected or forecast in the forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include the following: uncertainties as to the timing of the transaction; the possibility that the parties may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in the merger within the expected time-frames or at all and to successfully integrate Monsanto's operations into those of Bayer; such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; revenues following the transaction may be lower than expected; operating costs, customer loss and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, customers, clients or suppliers) may be greater than expected following the announcement of the transaction; the retention of certain key employees at Monsanto; risks associated with the disruption of management's attention from ongoing business operations due to the transaction; the conditions to the completion of the transaction may not be satisfied, or the regulatory approvals required for the transaction may not be obtained on the terms expected or on the anticipated schedule; the parties' ability to meet expectations regarding the timing, completion and accounting and tax treatments of the merger; the impact of the refinancing of the loans taken out for the transaction, the impact of indebtedness incurred by Bayer in connection with the transaction and the potential impact on the rating of indebtedness of Bayer; the effects of the business combination of Bayer and Monsanto, including the combined company's future financial condition, operating results, strategy and plans; other factors detailed in Monsanto's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 and Monsanto's other filings with the SEC, which are available athttp://www.sec.govand on Monsanto's website atwww.monsanto.com; and other factors discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website atwww.bayer.com. Bayer and Monsanto assume no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as otherwise required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date.

Bayer AG published this content on 22 August 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 22 August 2017 13:07:06 UTC.

Original documenthttp://www.press.bayer.com/baynews/baynews.nsf/ID/6170223749F36058C125818300512B45?OpenDocument

Public permalinkhttp://www.publicnow.com/view/AD28B3FEB5C4E2FE072B1A4033F5AAF0ADEAFA3C