In January 2000, Sumitomo Chemical Company acquired the Ag Specialties Business of Abbott Laboratories. As Abbott Laboratories and now as Valent BioSciences Corporation, we have spent over 40 years developing environmentally friendly products for agriculture and public health and forestry markets throughout the world. We have further expanded our leadership position through the acquisition of the Aventis Household Insecticide business in May 2001 and in March of 2003, we acquired the worldwide Public Health business from Certis USA, as well as exclusive licensing rights to the use of Thuricide® branded products for use in Forestry insect control, further strengthening our leadership in these areas. These acquisitions clearly reinforce the commitment Valent BioSciences has to be the global market leader in all market segments that we serve.

Our business was founded on leadership, using strong quality and pharmaceutical-based standards. That, along with the strength and global presence of Sumitomo Chemical is what created Valent BioSciences Corporation.

Our history has been very rich with numerous product developments and technical acquisitions over the course of 40 years. Beginning in 1962 with the plant growth regulator ProGibb® – followed in 1972 by DiPel®, the world's leading biological insecticide, and to the present with the introduction and growth of our patented plant growth regulator, ReTain® – VBC is continually dedicated to creating value and providing solutions for our customers around the world.