US Supreme Court to review Bayer's Roundup case limits bid

• A Missouri court upheld a $1.25 million verdict for plaintiff John Durnell, who developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after Roundup exposure, rejecting Bayer's federal preemption argument
• The Trump administration supports Bayer's position, with Solicitor General arguing the EPA has 'repeatedly determined that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic in humans'
• Bayer faces mixed trial results, including a $2.1 billion verdict in Georgia in 2025, and has threatened to pull Roundup from the U.S. consumer market while replacing glyphosate in consumer products

Summary: US Supreme Court to Review Bayer's Roundup Case

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on January 16 to hear Bayer's appeal seeking to significantly limit cancer-related lawsuits over its Roundup weedkiller, potentially saving the company billions in damages. The case involves a $1.25 million verdict awarded to plaintiff John Durnell, who developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after exposure to the product.

Key Legal Issue: Bayer argues that federal law preempts state law claims, contending companies shouldn't face state lawsuits when complying with EPA-approved labeling requirements. The EPA has determined glyphosate is not likely carcinogenic and requires no cancer warnings on Roundup labels.

Financial Impact: Bayer faces approximately 65,000 similar lawsuits in U.S. courts. The company has already paid roughly $10 billion to settle most cases pending as of 2020, but failed to secure coverage for future claims. Recent verdicts include a $2.1 billion award in Georgia in 2025.

Corporate Context: Bayer acquired Roundup through its $63 billion purchase of Monsanto in 2018. The Supreme Court previously declined to hear Bayer's appeal in 2022. CEO Bill Anderson called the court's decision "an important step" in the company's litigation containment strategy.

Market Implications: The Trump administration's Solicitor General supported Bayer's position in a December brief. A favorable Supreme Court ruling could effectively shut down the vast majority of pending lawsuits, providing significant financial relief. Bayer has threatened to pull Roundup from U.S. consumer markets and has already replaced glyphosate in consumer products with alternative substances.

The outcome could establish precedent for how federal regulatory approval affects state-level product liability claims.