A role advising German life sciences group Bayer on its $62 billion takeover approach to US agriculture company Monsanto has given Rothschild one of its largest mergers and acquisitions mandates on record.

Bayer announced on May 23 that it has proposed a $122-per-share cash offer for Monsanto. Details of the deal follow Monsanto's announcement on May 18 that it had received "an unsolicited, non-binding proposal" from Bayer, after which the German company confirmed that it had held discussions with Monsanto executives.