Bayer CropScience and GVK Biosciences Private Limited (GVK BIO),
Hyderabad, India, have entered into a research cooperation in the area
of early discovery chemistry. The objective is to speed up the search
for promising active ingredients for innovative crop protection
products. Under the agreement, Bayer CropScience will integrate GVK BIO
capacities in the early part of its Discovery chemistry process.

“We want to further speed up the development of our successful crop
protection R&D pipeline and we look forward to working with GVK BIO,
Asia’s leading contract research organization,” said Dr. Alexander
Klausener, Head of Research at Bayer CropScience AG, at the signing
ceremony in Hyderabad. “This cooperation in the area of early discovery
chemistry will help Bayer CropScience to further increase efficiency in
its Research. It will also help our company to participate in the
quickly developing scientific environment in India.”

“GVK Biosciences has built world-class capabilities in early Discovery
Chemistry. We are excited to partner with Bayer CropScience to
strengthen and accelerate their hits,” said Manni Kantipudi, President,
GVK Biosciences. “Agri & Crop Sciences Research is a key focus area for
GVK BIO. We are happy with the trust imposed by Bayer and look forward
to working with one of the most innovative agri companies.”

With expenditures of EUR 649 million in research and development in
2008, Bayer CropScience is one of the leading innovative companies in
the agricultural industry. In 2008, the insecticides spirotetramat and
the herbicide pyrasulfotole have been launched successfully. Three
fungicides – fluopyram, bixafen and isotianil – are scheduled for launch
in 2010 and 2011. Three further candidates are at an advanced stage of
development.
About Bayer CropScience
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of
health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience AG, a
subsidiary of Bayer AG with annual sales of about EUR 6.4 billion
(2008), is one of the world’s leading innovative crop science companies
in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds
and plant biotechnology. The company offers an outstanding range of
products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable
agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has
a global workforce of more than 18,000 and is represented in more than
120 countries. This and further news is available at: www.press.bayercropscience.com.
About GVK BIO
GVK Biosciences (GVK BIO) is Asia’s leading research services
organization. GVK BIO provides a broad spectrum of services, stand-alone
and integrated, across the R&D value chain. GVK BIO’s diverse portfolio
of more than 100 customers includes Big Pharma companies, Agri &
Life-sciences companies, leading biotechs and academic institutions.
Spread across five locations in India, GVK BIO is headquartered at
Hyderabad, India and employs 1500+ people to assist clients accelerate
their research and success.