Bayer announced that Temasek, an investment company headquartered in Singapore, signed an agreement to subscribe to 31 million new shares of Bayer, corresponding to around 3.6 per cent of the capital stock, for total gross proceeds of 3 billion euros. With the consent of the Supervisory Board, the Board of Management of Bayer AG resolved to execute the capital increase out of authorized capital against cash contributions and excluding the subscription rights of existing Bayer shareholders.

Under the agreement, Bayer is to issue to a subsidiary of Temasek at an at-market price the new registered (no-par value) shares with an entitlement to dividends as of January 1, 2017.

On completion of the capital increase, together with its existing shareholdings in Bayer, Temasek will hold approximately 4 per cent of the issued capital stock of Bayer. The shares issued to Temasek will not be subject to any lock-up period. “We are very pleased that Temasek has significantly increased its holding in our company. Temasek takes equity positions in leading companies globally and is a long-term investor,” said Bayer CEO Werner Baumann. “This investment affirms our business strategy including the proposed acquisition of Monsanto, as well as Bayer’s strong growth prospects.”

The proceeds from this placement will be taken into account when determining the size of the previously announced share capital increase through a rights offering with subscription rights to existing shareholders to finance the proposed acquisition of Monsanto.

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life.

Incorporated in 1974, Temasek is an investment company headquartered in Singapore. Supported by 11 offices internationally, Temasek owns a portfolio of 275 billion Singapore dollars (184 billion euros) as of March 31, 2017, mainly in Singapore and the rest of Asia.