Bayer AG (BAYRY Quick QuoteBAYRY - Free Report) recently received a positive update in the ongoing Roundup litigation.

A Missouri Circuit Court judge has granted preliminary approval to a proposed class action settlement aimed at resolving current and future claims alleging that Roundup caused non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The motion seeking approval was submitted by leading plaintiff law firms representing the proposed class.

The next stage of the process includes notifying potential class members and initiating a 90-day opt-out and objection period that will run through June 4. A fairness hearing is scheduled for July 9, when the court will decide whether to grant final approval. Until a final ruling is reached, lawsuits filed in Missouri by settlement class members will remain paused, except for those who opt out.

More on BAYRY’s Roundup Litigation

The latest decision marks an important step in Bayer’s broader strategy to contain its long-running Roundup litigation exposure, which has weighed heavily on investor sentiment in recent years. The settlement framework aims to establish a long-term, well-funded claims program to address existing and future claims, potentially providing greater visibility around the company’s legal liabilities.

The settlement also follows the decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to review the Durnell case, which will examine whether state-level failure-to-warn claims related to Roundup are preempted by federal law. The outcome of this case is viewed as critical because it could affect several outstanding verdicts under appeal and clarify the legal framework governing such claims.

We remind investors that Bayer acquired Roundup weedkiller through Monsanto’s buyout in 2018. However, several lawsuits have been filed by people for the same, alleging that Monsanto’s herbicide caused them to develop cancer. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup weedkiller.

It has also been alleged that people were not made aware of the cancer risks by either Monsanto or Bayer.

Numerous lawsuits have been filed in the United States by plaintiffs alleging exposure to glyphosate-based products produced by Monsanto, a subsidiary of Bayer.

As of February 2026, a total of 28 Roundup-related trials were concluded across federal and state courts in California, Missouri, Oregon, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Georgia and Pennsylvania.

One case that initially resulted in a defense verdict was overturned on appeal and is scheduled for a retrial. Meanwhile, seven cases are still under appeal, including three remaining adverse verdicts — Anderson, Dennis and Durnell.

Bayer has incurred significant litigation costs due to these lawsuits. As of Dec. 31, 2025, Bayer’s provisions and liabilities for the glyphosate litigation totaled $11.3 billion (€9.6 billion).

Moreover, as of Feb. 15, 2026, a total of approximately 35 lawsuits (proposed class actions and individual actions) relating to Roundup have been filed against Bayer in Canada.

Bayer’s Recent Performance Is Impressive

Shares of Bayer have surged 64.1% in the past year compared with the industry’s gain of 8.6%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

While Bayer’s fourth-quarter results missed on sales, the company’s turnaround in 2025 was phenomenal.

Bayer’s new products, such as prostate cancer drug Nubeqa and kidney disease drug Kerendia, continue to maintain their impressive momentum in the Pharmaceutical division and offset the negative impact of a decline in Xarelto sales and lower Eylea sales.

Label expansion of key drugs and approval of additional drugs will further boost sales from this business. The FDA approval of elinzanetant for the treatment of moderate to severe menopause-related vasomotor symptoms, under the brand name Lynkuet, is a significant boost for the company.

The FDA also granted accelerated approval to Hyrnuo (sevabertinib) for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors have human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 tyrosine kinase domain-activating mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who have received a prior systemic therapy.

However, net loss widened to €3.6 billion in 2025 from €2.5 billion in 2024, mainly due to high special charges for litigation.

BAYRY anticipates that litigation impacts will burden its cash position in 2026.

Bayer’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks

BAYRY currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the drug/biotech sector are Catalyst Pharmaceuticals (CPRX Quick QuoteCPRX - Free Report) , ANI Pharmaceuticals (ANIP Quick QuoteANIP - Free Report) and Replimune Group (REPL Quick QuoteREPL - Free Report) . While Catalyst Pharmaceuticals currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), ANI Pharmaceuticals and Replimune hold a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Over the past 60 days, estimates for Catalyst Pharmaceuticals’ 2026 earnings per share have increased from $2.54 to $2.82, and the same for 2027 have grown from $2.85 to $3.20. CPRX’s shares have risen 14% in the past year.

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals’ earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 35.19%.

Over the past 60 days, estimates for ANI Pharmaceuticals’ 2026 earnings per share have increased from $8.08 to $8.22, while the same for 2027 have risen from $9.25 to $9.90. ANIP’s shares have gained 25.3% in the past year.

ANI Pharmaceuticals’ earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 22.21%.

Over the past 60 days, estimates for Replimune’s 2026 loss per share have narrowed from $3.59 to $3.41, while the same for 2027 have narrowed from $2.42 to $2.33.

Replimune’s earnings beat estimates in one of the trailing four quarters and missed on the remaining three occasions, with the average negative surprise being 4.46%.