Bayer offers US$7.25B settlement to close Roundup cancer claims in USA

USA – Bayer has offered to pay up to US$7.25 billion to settle current and future claims linked to Roundup in the United States, as it tries to bring a long legal fight closer to an end.

The German chemical and drug maker announced the proposal on February 17. The plan aims to resolve class action lawsuits that claim glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, causes non Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. Bayer acquired Roundup through its US$63 billion purchase of Monsanto in 2018.

Under the proposal, Bayer would make capped and declining annual payments over a period of up to 21 years. Leading law firms that represent the plaintiffs have endorsed the plan. However, a court in Missouri, where Monsanto is based, must still approve the agreement.

“The proposed collective settlement agreement, coupled with the Supreme Court proceedings, provides a critical path out of judicial uncertainty and allows us to fully focus on the innovations at the heart of our mission: health for all, hunger for no one,” said Bill Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of Bayer.

Supreme Court review in focus

The new offer adds to the roughly US$10 billion Bayer has already paid to settle about 130,000 claims outside court. The company now looks to the US Supreme Court for further relief. In January, the court agreed to review Bayer’s arguments in a separate Roundup case, and it expects a decision by June.

“The Supreme Court’s decision to review this case is good news for US farmers, who need regulatory clarity. It is also an important step in our multi dimensional strategy to significantly contain this litigation. It’s time for the US court system to establish that companies should not be penalized under state laws for complying with federal labeling and warning requirements,” Anderson said.

Analysts say a ruling in Bayer’s favor could lead courts to dismiss thousands of pending claims and limit future lawsuits.

Bankruptcy option remains in background

Bayer continues to deny that Roundup causes cancer. The company says it does not admit liability in any settlement.

“Monsanto brings Roundup related actions only to contain litigation, and the settlement agreements do not include any admission of liability or fault. Indeed, the world’s leading regulators, including the US EPA and EU regulators, continue to conclude, based on a large body of science, that glyphosate based herbicides are not carcinogenic,” the group said.

A May 2025 report by The Wall Street Journal said Bayer had considered placing its Monsanto unit into bankruptcy if settlement efforts failed. A favorable Supreme Court decision could reduce that risk and give the company more certainty after seven years of court battles.

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