SAM, Luthra get CCI approval for Bayer-Monsanto $63 billion deal

The Competition Commission of India has today given its approval to the acquisition of Monsanto by Bayer AG, subject to compliance of certain modifications..The agreement relating to the transaction was entered into on September 14, 2016. Post the due approvals, Monsanto shall become a subsidiary of Bayer..Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas and Luthra & Luthra provided strategic advice to Monsanto and Bayer respectively and filed the Form II notification (long form notification) with the CCI..The Competition Law team was led by Partners Naval Chopra and Aparna Mehra along with Principal Consultant Rohan Arora, Senior Economist Saattvic, Associates Geet Sawhney and Gayatri Pradhan with assistance from Senior Associates Aman Sethi and Nitika Dwivedi..Luthra & Luthra acted for Bayer and the team included Partners GR Bhatia, Abdullah Hussain, and Kanika Chaudhary Nayar along with Managing Associate Rudresh Singh and Senior Associate Divye Sharma..Arnold & Porter acted as International counsel for Monsanto while Sullivan & Cromwell LLP acted as International counsel for Bayer AG..The SAM Competition Team was assisted by its General Corporate Team who are also involved in the divestment process. The team was led by Partner Akila Agarwal and Sourav Kanti Biswas, along with Principal Associate Megha Bhargawa, and Senior Associate Ishita Khandelwal, Senior Associate.