Syngenta Obtains Regulatory Approvals For Axial(TM) In North America

BASEL, Switzerland, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Syngenta announced today that its new cereal herbicide, Axial, has received registrations in Canada and the US. It will be launched in these two of the world's five leading cereal markets for the 2006 season, as well as in the UK where the product obtained registration last September. Axial is expected to achieve peak global sales of at least $150 million annually.

"Axial, provides outstanding control of a broad spectrum of grass weeds in wheat and barley and offers unprecedented crop safety," says John Atkin, Chief Operating Officer of Syngenta Crop Protection.

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 2004 were approximately $7.3 billion. Syngenta employs some 20,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York . Further information is available at http://www.syngenta.com .

Media Enquiries: Switzerland: Guy Wolff Tel: +41 (61) 323 2323 USA: Sarah Hull Tel: +1 (202) 628 2372 UK: Andrew Coker Tel: +44 (1483) 26 0014 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.

CONTACT: Media Enquiries: Guy Wolff, Switzerland, +41-61-323-2323, orSarah Hull, USA, +1-202-628-2372, Andrew Coker, UK, +44-1483-26-0014,Analysts/Investors: Jonathan Seabrook, Switzerland, +41-61-323-7502, orJennifer Gough, Switzerland, +41-61-323-5059, or Rhonda Chiger, USA,+1-917-322-2569

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