Bayer investor Artisan urges company split amid growing calls for reform: Report

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Reuters on Friday. As per the report, this call for change joins a growing chorus of demands for transformation from various other investors. Earlier this year, activist shareholder Bluebell Capital Partners had also advocated for a breakup of the company.

Furthermore, prominent investors such as mutual funds group Deka had strongly criticized the previous leadership of the company. Certain investors have suggested that a straightforward solution would be to split the healthcare and agricultural segments into separate entities. The appeal from Artisan Partners will increase the demands on Bill Anderson, who was recruited from Swiss competitor Roche to assume the CEO position in June.

Anderson has been assigned the responsibility of rejuvenating Bayer's stock value, which has lagged behind its competitors due to the ongoing financial burdens stemming from legal issues related to US weed killer litigation. Also Read: Roche Pharma CEO Bill Anderson to leave company Reuters reported that Artisan wants the drugs-to-pesticides company to find new owners for its over-the-counter and pharmaceutical units, it said. "Recently we wrote a letter to the conglomerate Bayer -- and it is a conglomerate," David Samra, founding portfolio manager of Artisan's International Value team, said in an interview.

Bayer has a "whole host of problems" including "too much debt," Samra said. Anderson said this month he was not ruling out any options as part of his review of the diversified company's strategy and structure, "leaving no stone unturned". “He will provide an initial update in the coming months and detailed plans in early 2024", he added.