BAYER AG-SPONSORED ADR Business Summary

Bayer AG (BAYRY) is a global life sciences conglomerate operating through three primary segments: Crop Science, Pharmaceuticals, and Consumer Health. The company generates revenue through a diverse mix of product sales, including seeds, traits, and crop protection chemicals in its market-leading agricultural division; prescription therapeutics focused on oncology, cardiology, and women’s health; and a robust portfolio of over-the-counter (OTC) self-care brands. As of July 2026, Bayer is executing a "Dynamic Shared Ownership" operating model to streamline its hierarchy and accelerate innovation-to-market cycles. The company maintains a dominant global position in the agricultural sector following its 2018 Monsanto acquisition, though it currently faces significant cash flow constraints due to multi-billion-euro litigation settlements related to glyphosate and PCBs. Its primary competitors include Syngenta and Corteva in agriculture, Pfizer and Novartis in pharmaceuticals, and Haleon in consumer health, with Bayer distinguishing itself through its unique integration of health and nutrition science. Founded in 1863 by Friedrich Bayer and Johann Friedrich Weskott, the company is currently led by CEO Bill Anderson, a veteran executive with a deep pedigree in biotech and pharmaceuticals (formerly of Roche/Genentech). The leadership team was recently bolstered by the appointment of CFO Judith Hartmann in June 2026, who brings extensive international financial experience from Engie and General Electric. Other key executives include Stefan Oelrich (Head of Pharmaceuticals), Rodrigo Santos (Head of Crop Science), and Julio Triana (Head of Consumer Health), while Heike Prinz serves as Chief Talent Officer. The company’s strategic direction is overseen by Supervisory Board Chairman Prof. Dr. Norbert Winkeljohann, with recent board additions including Marcel Smits and Alfred Stern. Major institutional backing is provided by significant shareholders such as Norges Bank Investment Management and Dimensional Fund Advisors, who remain focused on the company's multi-year turnaround and debt reduction trajectory.