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Syngenta
ICI
British chemical and pharmaceutical company formed in the 19th century.
ICI chemists were involved in chemical weapons research in the 1950's.
In 1993 ICI span off their agrochemical, GM crops, seed and pharmaceuticals
interests to form Zeneca. ICI still
exists as a chemical and polymers/paint company.
Zeneca
British company formed in 1994 from the spun -off agrochemical,
GM crops, seed and pharmaceuticals sectors of ICI. Zeneca carried
out a small number of GM crop trials in the UK during the 1990s.
Zeneca merged with Astra to form AstraZeneca in 1999. In 1996 Zeneca
launched a joint venture in seeds with Dutch company Cosun called
Advanta.
Astra
Swedish pharmaceutical company founded in the 19th century. Astra
merged with Zeneca to form AstraZeneca in 1999.
AstraZeneca
Swedish/British life science company formed in 1999 by the merger
of Astra and Zeneca. In 2000 AstraZeneca span off their agrochemical
and GM crops research business to merge with the agricultural business
of Novartis to form Syngenta. AstraZeneca has retained its seed
business, a joint venture with Cosun called Advanta. AstraZeneca
continues as a purely pharmaceutical company. AstraZeneca is a classic
example how the life science concept has not worked.
Cosun
Dutch farmers co-operative formed in the 19th century. It owns seed
and food production companies. In 1996 Cosun launched a seed joint
venture with Zeneca called Advanta.
Advanta
Seed company formed in 1996 as a 50:50 joint venture between Zeneca
and Cosun. Advanta is one of the largest seed companies in the world.
During the 1990s Advanta carried out GM crop trials in the UK under
the names of Van Der Harve and Sharpes International Seeds. Advanta
markets GM seed in Canada and the US. See: www.corporatewatch.org.
uk/profiles/biotech/advanta/advanta1.html
Sandoz
Major Swiss chemical, pharmaceutical and seed company founded in
the 19th century. Sandoz merged with Ciba-Geigy to form Novartis
in 1996.
Ciba-Geigy
Major Swiss chemical and pharmaceutical company founded in 1970
with the merger of Swiss companies Ciba and Geigy. Ciba and Geigy
have long histories of developing pesticides including Atrazine
and DDT. Ciba-Geigy merged with Sandoz in 1996 to form Novartis.
Hilleshog
Hilleshog was initially a Swedish sugar beet breeder and seed producer.
Sandoz bought Hilleshog in 1989. Hilleshog is now the brand under
which Syngenta Seeds markets sugar beet. If GM sugar beet is successfully
commercialised in the UK it is likely to be marketed by Hilleshog.
New Farm Crops
New Farm Crops (NFC) is a British plant breeder and seed producer.
NFC was bought by Ciba-Geigy in 1994 and is now one of the operating
fronts for Syngenta Seeds. NFC carried out a small number of GM
crop trials in the UK in the late 1990s.
Novartis
Swiss life science company formed in 1996 from the merger of Ciba-Geigy
and Sandoz. In 2000, after poor financial performance, Novartis
span off its agricultural sector to merge with that of Astra-Zeneca
to form Syngenta. Novartis carried out a number of GM crop trials
in the UK in the late 1990s. Novartis is another example of a failed
life science company. Novartis still exists as a mainly pharmaceutical
company.
Syngenta
British/Swiss agricultural company formed from the agrochemical
and GM crops research sectors of AstraZeneca, and the agrochemical,
GM crops research and seed division of Novartis. Syngenta is currently
the world's biggest player in agrochemicals and the third biggest
seed producer. Syngenta sells GM crops in the US, Canada and Spain.
Syngenta has carried out a small number of GM crop trials in the
UK including research into genetic use restriction technologies
(GURTS/traitor technology). Syngenta, in conjunction with Monsanto,
is seeking to commercialise GM sugar beet. Syngenta is a big threat
in the future. It is perhaps the most successful GM crops company
at co-opting the sustainable development agenda and aligning itself
with GM crops with perceived consumer benefits. See aslo: www.corporatewatch.org.
uk/profiles/biotech/syngenta/syngenta1.html
Syngenta International AG
(global headquarters)
PO Box CH-4002,
Basel, Switzerland
Tel: +41 613231111
www.syngenta.com
Syngenta
European Regional Centre
(Regional Headquarters)
Priestley Road
Surrey Research Park
Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7YH
Tel: +44 (0) 1483 260000
Fax: +44 (0) 1483 260001
Syngenta
(research station)
Jealott's Hill International Research Centre
Bracknell, Berks, RG42 6EY
Tel: +44 (0) 1344 424701
Fax: +44 (0) 1344 455629
Biotech family tree guide: Bayer
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