Sumitomo Chemical and Bayer CropScience to jointly develop
new rice fungicideTokyo – (Jun 2, 2005) – Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Japan,and Bayer CropScience,
Monheim have signed a co-development agreement for a new compound to combat riceblast. The fungicide BYF1047 was identified by Bayer CropScience. It is effective
against the Pyricularia fungus which causes rice blast, the world’s most economicallysignificant disease in rice.
Sumitomo Chemical and Bayer CropScience are now jointly developing BYF 1047
intended for use primarily in Japan. Following the joint development, both SumitomoChemical and Bayer CropScience will hold global rights to market products containing
the new active ingredient. The product is scheduled to be launched in Japan in
2010/2011, subject to regulatory approval.
”BYF1047 is highly effective against Rice Blast at low dose rate. The compound isspecifically qualified for the rice growing conditions in Japan,” says Dr. Bernward
Garthoff, member of the board of management responsible for research anddevelopment at Bayer CropScience.
“Development of BYF1047 is a very important project for Sumitomo Chemical, whosealready strong product range for rice in Japan will be further enriched by this product,”says Mr. Yoshihiko Okamoto, executive officer responsible for the domestic crop
protection division at Sumitomo Chemical.
Rice blast is a significant threat to the global food supply. The Pyricularia fungus
infests the seeds and leaves of the rice plant, forming spindle-shaped lesions whichcause the leaves to dry out, become discolored and brown. BYF1047 protects the rice
plants against Pyricularia by stimulating their self-defense ability. Measures to combat
rice blast are currently concentrated on a few substances, thus increasing the risk of thefungus developing resistance. Sumitomo Chemical and Bayer CropScience aim todevelop this new active ingredient to provide rice farmers with a new option to combat
rice blast.

Sumitomo Chemical is one of Japan’s leading chemical companies, which offers avariety of products in, among others, the fields of petrochemicals, IT-related Chamicals,and life sciences, to the global market. Crop protection is one of the company’s corebusinesses which generates annual sales of USD 1.2 billion, and markets products inmore than 110 countries around the world. Sumitomo Chemical takes a comprehensive
approach to the enhancement of agricultural production by providing crop protection
chemicals, fertilizers, feed additives, and other products and technologies. Particularlyin the Japanese market, Sumitomo Chemical is the leading company serving a wide
range of markets including rice, vegetables, fruits, and home and garden, and iscommitted to the development and marketing of new products that meet users’ needs.
Further information is available at:www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp
Bayer CropScience, a subsidiary of Bayer AG with annual sales of around EUR
6 billion, is one of the world’s leading innovative crop science companies in the areas ofcrop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and plant biotechnology. The
company offers an outstanding range of products and extensive service backup formodern, sustainable agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer
CropScience has a global workforce of about 19,000 and is represented in more than
120 countries, ensuring proximity to the customers. Further information is available at:www.bayercropscience.com

Your contacts:
Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
IR & Public Relations Dept.
Tel.:+81-3-5543-5102
Bayer CropScience AG (Germany)
Steffen Kurzawa
Tel.:+49-2173-38-3504
E-Mail: steffen.kurzawa@bayercropscience.com