Leverkusen, Germany-The Bayer Group has sold the mandatory convertible bond it purchased in September 2004 back to Lanxess AG at a transaction price exceeding its nominal value. Bayer had acquired the Euro 200-million bond in its entirety at the nominal value from Lanxess on 15 Sept 2004, to support the financial status and rating of the new chemical company, it explained in a 7 June statement.The sale of this bond is in line with Bayer's previously stated intent that it would not pursue a strategic interest with respect to Lanxess, the Bayer statement commented."