FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of March 2005
Commission File Number: 001-15152
SYNGENTA AG
(Translation of registrant’s name into
English)
Schwarzwaldallee 215
4058 Basel
Switzerland
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
| Form 20-F X | Form 40-F |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
| Yes | No X |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
| Yes | No X |
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the Registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
| Yes | No X |
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A
| Re: | SYNGENTA AG |
Press Release: Syngenta to launch breakthrough seed treatment AVICTA™ in the USA |
Filed herewith is a press release related to Syngenta AG. The full text of the press release follows:
# # #
Item 1
 |
Syngenta
International AG |
Media Release Syngenta to launch breakthrough seed treatment AVICTA™ in the USA
Basel, Switzerland, 7 March 2005
Syngenta announced today the launch of a new generation of seed treatment that protects plants against nematodes, microscopic worms that can cause severe damage to plant roots and reduce yield. The new product, AVICTA™, was granted registration by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use on cotton and will be offered for sale in the USA for the 2006 planting season. The annual cost of nematode damage to cotton in the USA is estimated at $400 million.
“This is a breakthrough innovation and a milestone in the development of convenient seed treatment products,” said John Atkin, Chief Operating Officer of Syngenta Crop Protection. “With AVICTA™, we can offer unprecedented seed-delivered technology which controls a difficult pest and provides impressive advantages for growers.”
AVICTA™ protects plants during the early stages of development and will be available in the USA as AVICTA™ Complete Pak, a combination of three separately registered products: AVICTA™, the seed-protection fungicide DYNASTY® CST and the seed-treatment insecticide CRUISER®, providing complete early protection against pests and diseases. Syngenta is developing AVICTA™ for cotton markets in other countries as well as for use on other crops.
Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2004 were approximately $7.3 billion. Syngenta employs some 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com.
Media Enquiries: Switzerland: Markus Payer Tel: +41 (61) 323 2323 USA: Sarah Hull Tel: +1 (202) 347 8348 Analysts/Investors: Switzerland: Jonathan Seabrook Tel: +41 (61) 323 7502 Jennifer Gough Tel: +41 (61) 323 5059 USA: Rhonda Chiger Tel: +1 (917) 322 2569
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as ‘expect’, ‘would’, ‘will’, ‘potential’, ‘plans’, ‘prospects’, ‘estimated’, ‘aiming’, ‘on track’ and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefor.
Syngenta – 7 March 2005 / Page 1 of 1
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| SYNGENTA AG | ||||
| Date: | March 7, 2005 | By: | /s/ Christoph Mäder | |
| Name: | Christoph Mäder | |||
| Title: | General Counsel | |||
| By: | /s/ Damion Heller | |||
| Name: | Damion Heller | |||
| Title: | Company Secretary | |||