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Bayer Braces for ‘Significant Surge’ in Roundup Plaintiffs

  • Company blames swell on increased advertising by attorneys
  • Analysts project there may be more than 45,000 plaintiffs now
A bottle of Bayer AG Roundup brand weedkiller concentrate.

A bottle of Bayer AG Roundup brand weedkiller concentrate.

Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
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Bayer AG said it anticipates a “significant surge” in the number of plaintiffs suing the company over the weedkiller Roundup when it reports earnings later this month, adding pressure on the company to seek a settlement.

An increase in advertising by U.S. attorneys seeking new clients since mediation talks began will likely add to the litigation, the German drugs and chemicals giant said in an emailed statement. The current number of plaintiffs could exceed 45,000, compared with Bayer’s last estimate of 18,400 in July, analysts from JPMorgan Chase & Co. wrote in a note last week.