London giant Linklaters has been called in to act for Sanofi-Synthelabo for the first time on its high-profile E48bn (£33bn) hostile bid for Aventis after the French giant’s regular counsel was conflicted out.

The bid, which could create the world’s third-largest pharmaceutical company behind Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline, is regarded as a landmark for the French market since hostile bids are extremely rare in Continental Europe.