6-K


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 February 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 and Sumitomo enter herbicide license agreement

Filed herewith is a press release related to Syngenta AG. The full text of the press release follows:

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Item 1       

Syngenta International AG
Media Office
CH-4002 Basel
Switzerland
Telephone:  +41 61 323 23 23
Fax:             +41 61 323 24 24
www.syngenta.com

   

Media Release

Syngenta and Sumitomo enter herbicide license agreement

Basel, Switzerland, 8 February 2005

Syngenta announced today that it has entered a licensing agreement with Sumitomo Chemical from Japan for the development and marketing of a new herbicide. This agreement provides Syngenta with full, worldwide rights to the herbicide SYN 523, which Syngenta will continue to develop to further strengthen its portfolio. Sumitomo Chemical will receive royalty payments as well as distribution rights to certain products in specific countries.

The new herbicide promises to give exceptionally broad-spectrum weed control. First products will be several years in development and registration, with the first launch expected within five to seven years.

Further details of the agreement were not disclosed.

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 2003 were approximately $6.6 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.

For further information on Sumitomo see: www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english

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 – 8 February 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: Febraury 8, 2005 By: /s/ Damian Heller
     
      Name: Damian Heller
      Title: Company Secretary
         
         
    By: /s/ Christoph Mäder
     
      Name: Christoph Mäder
      Title: General Counsel