ST. LOUIS, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) reported on a year of firsts in research-and-development (R&D) advancements, highlighting some of the most substantial progress the company has seen in the time it has conducted biotechnology research. The company's announcement came as part of its first quarter 2008 fiscal year conference call.

Monsanto reported that 10 specific projects in its biotech R&D pipeline either advanced from one phase to the next or were added to the pipeline. The update also highlighted the company's first ever transition of four projects from Phase 2 to Phase 3, an important milestone that underscores the commercial viability and success of the projects.

"We are now seeing the deepest and most-compelling research pipeline to date," said Robb Fraley, Ph.D., chief technology officer and executive vice president for Monsanto. "This unprecedented progress and the sheer momentum of the pipeline reinforces our commitment to deliver high-quality products to farmers."

The presentation outlined several key measures of progress including several firsts:

  -- Ten projects either advanced phases or were added to the pipeline
     -- among the largest volume of project progress to date.
  -- Four projects transitioned from Phase 2 to Phase 3, where the
     probability of success moves above 50 percent and large scale
     regulatory and variety development work begins, reflecting the last
     major technical hurdles.
  -- First ever advancement of a multi-generational family:
     Second-generation drought tolerant corn advanced to Phase 2 and
     first-generation drought tolerant corn advanced to Phase 3, making it
     the industry's first drought project to move into the regulatory and
     commercial phase.
  -- Five projects were added to the pipeline this year, including SmartStax
     corn, soybean disease, second-generation high-oil soybeans,
     high-stearate soybeans, and high-oil corn.
  -- Two of three High Impact Technologies (HITs) advanced phases: Vistive
     III and drought tolerant corn. The movement, which was based on results
     from 2007 trials, advanced the technologies one step closer to
     commercial launch.

As part of today's overview, Fraley also noted the tremendous progress the company has made in its soybean trait portfolio. Roundup RReady2Yield, which is targeted to be introduced in 2009 and provides a 7-to-11 percent increase in soybean yield, will serve as the platform for future soybean traits.

  Highlighted soybean projects:

  -- Four years of data continue to validate 7-to-11 percent yield advantage
     of Roundup RReady2Yield over comparable Roundup Ready soybeans, the
     first HIT that will reach commercialization.
  -- Insect-protected soybeans, Monsanto's first-ever trait developed
     exclusively for non-U.S. markets, advanced to Phase 3 after the
     technology continued to demonstrate excellent Roundup tolerance and
     effective protection against key lepidopteran pests.
  -- Dicamba-tolerant soybeans, which are designed to provide a new, unique
     mode of action for farmers, advanced to Phase 3 after demonstrating
     solid tolerance to dicamba applications. This technology is designed to
     provide soybean farmers with the most effective weed management system
     available when stacked with Roundup RReady2Yield.
  -- Vistive III, another HIT, not only advanced to Phase 3, but its
     progress over the last three years has been so significant that it
     supplanted Vistive II, making it the first ever trait to "leapfrog"
     another product in development.
  -- Higher-yielding soybeans showed positive performance. This year, more
     than 60 events were tested at 18 locations, with lead events showing
     strong yield advantages over the conventional soybean controls.

For the latest update on Monsanto's R&D pipeline, direct links to Fraley's presentation slides are archived on the company's Web site in the "Investor Information" section at: http://www.monsanto.com/investors/presentations.asp. To listen to comments from Fraley and Steve Padgette, Monsanto's vice president of biotechnology, on the progress in the pipeline, please visit: http://www.monsanto.com/investors/pipeline/. To learn more about Monsanto's pipeline, please visit: http://www.monsanto.com/products/pipeline.asp.

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. For more information, please visit: http://www.monsanto.com/.

Note to editors: SmartStax, Roundup RReady2Yield and VISTIVE are trademarks of Monsanto Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

Certain statements contained in this presentation are "forward-looking statements," such as statements concerning the company's anticipated financial results, current and future product performance, regulatory approvals, business and financial plans and other non-historical facts. These statements are based on current expectations and currently available information. However, since these statements are based on factors that involve risks and uncertainties, the company's actual performance and results may differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others: continued competition in seeds, traits and agricultural chemicals; the company's exposure to various contingencies, including those related to intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received, and public acceptance of biotechnology products; the success of the company's research and development activities; the outcomes of major lawsuits, including proceedings related to Solutia Inc.; developments related to foreign currencies and economies; successful completion and operation of recent acquisitions; fluctuations in commodity prices; compliance with regulations affecting our manufacturing; the accuracy of the company's estimates related to distribution inventory levels; the company's ability to fund its short-term financing needs and to obtain payment for the products that it sells; the effect of weather conditions, natural disasters and accidents on the agriculture business or the company's facilities; and other risks and factors detailed in the company's most recent periodic report to the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this presentation. The company disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any of the factors that may affect actual results.

SOURCE: Monsanto Company

CONTACT: Sara Duncan of Monsanto Company, +1-314-694-2729

Web site: http://www.monsanto.com/

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