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Cravath Publishes Summer 2026 Issue of Alumni Journal

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News & Insights

Cilag GmbH International’s Acquisition of Covagen AG

August 25, 2014

On August 25, 2014, Cilag GmbH International, an affiliate of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, announced that it has acquired Covagen AG, a privately held biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of multispecific protein therapeutics through the FynomAb® technology platform. Cravath represented Cilag GmbH in connection with this transaction. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Cravath team was led by partner Robert I. Townsend III and included associate William D. Podurgiel on M&A matters; partner Eric W. Hilfers and associate Jarrett R. Hoffman on executive compensation and benefits matters; partner J. Leonard Teti II and associate Jay S. Gill on tax matters; partner David J. Kappos and associate Benjamin D. Landry on intellectual property matters; and partner Matthew Morreale on environmental matters. Matthew J. Bobby also worked on executive compensation and benefits matters.

Related Practices & Industries

  • Corporate
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Executive Compensation and Benefits
  • Tax
  • IP and Strategic Tech Transactions
  • Environmental
  • Healthcare and Life Sciences

People

Photo
Name
Robert I. Townsend III
Title
Corporate
Title
Partner
Email
rtownsend@cravath.com
Phone
+1-212-474-1964
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    Education

    • J.D., 1990, Harvard Law School
      magna cum laude
    • A.B., 1987, Harvard College
      magna cum laude

    Admitted In

    • New York
    Photo
    Name
    Eric W. Hilfers
    Title
    Executive Compensation and Benefits
    Title
    Partner
    Email
    ehilfers@cravath.com
    Phone
    +1-212-474-1352
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      Education

      • J.D., 1998, University of Chicago Law School
        with Honors
      • A.B., 1995, Princeton University

      Admitted In

      • New York
      Photo
      Name
      J. Leonard Teti II
      Title
      Tax
      Title
      Partner
      Email
      lteti@cravath.com
      Phone
      +1-212-474-1896
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        Education

        • J.D., 2005, University of Virginia School of Law
          Order of the Coif
        • A.B., 1999, Princeton University
          with Honors

        Admitted In

        • New York
        Photo
        Name
        David J. Kappos
        Title
        Corporate
        Title
        Partner
        Email
        dkappos@cravath.com
        Phone
        +1-212-474-1168
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          Education

          • J.D., 1990, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
          • B.S., 1983, University of California, Davis
            summa cum laude

          Admitted In

          • New York
          • California
          • District of Columbia
          Photo
          Name
          Matthew Morreale
          Title
          Corporate
          Title
          Retired Partner
          Email
          mmorreale@cravath.com
          Phone
          +1-212-474-1534
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            Education

            • J.D., 1997, Columbia Law School
              Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
            • M.S., 1994, University of Pennsylvania
            • B.A., 1990, University of Pennsylvania
            • B.A.S., 1990, University of Pennsylvania

            Related News & Insights

            Deals & Cases

            November 05, 2026

            Liberty Media’s Acquisition of High‑Vote Series B Common Stock from John C. Malone‑Related Entities

            On November 5, 2026, Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty Media”) announced that it has acquired all shares of Liberty Media’s high‑vote Series B common stock held by certain entities related to John C. Malone (the “Malone Holders”) in exchange for shares of Liberty Media’s low‑vote Series A common stock and shares of Liberty Media’s non‑voting Series C common stock. As a result of the transaction, the Malone Holders’ aggregate voting power in Liberty Media declined to approximately 3%, and no holder of Liberty Media common stock holds more than 9% of Liberty Media’s voting power, in each case, based on Liberty Media’s outstanding common stock as of October 30, 2026. The transaction was negotiated and approved by a special committee (the “Special Committee”) of Liberty Media’s board of directors consisting solely of disinterested and independent directors for purposes of Nevada law, advised by its own independent financial and legal advisors. Cravath is representing the Special Committee in connection with the transaction.

            Deals & Cases

            October 29, 2026

            ADT’s $15.3 Billion Acquisition by Thrive Holdings

            On October 29, 2026, ADT Inc. (“ADT”), a leading provider of security, interactive and smart home solutions serving residential and small business customers in the U.S., and Thrive Holdings, a permanent capital holding company focused on investing in established businesses and advancing their capabilities through technology, announced a definitive agreement under which Thrive Holdings will acquire ADT in an all‑cash transaction. The agreement values ADT at approximately $7.6 billion in equity value and $15.3 billion in enterprise value. Under the terms of the agreement, which ADT’s Board of Directors unanimously approved, ADT stockholders will receive $10.00 per share in cash upon completion. Following completion, ADT will become privately held and its common stock will cease trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Cravath is representing ADT in connection with the transaction.

            Deals & Cases

            August 31, 2026

            Aon’s $17 Billion Acquisition of USI

            On August 31, 2026, Aon, a leading global professional services firm, announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire USI, a leading provider of property & casualty, employee benefit, personal risk and retirement solutions for the middle market and the tenth largest U.S. insurance broker, from KKR and other shareholders for a total purchase price of $17 billion. Aon expects to fund the transaction, as well as related transaction expenses and other costs, with new debt raised across a range of maturities, subject to market conditions. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Aon and the Board of Directors of USI. Cravath is representing Aon in connection with the transaction.

            Deals & Cases

            March 31, 2026

            Biogen’s $5.6 Billion Acquisition of Apellis

            On March 31, 2026, Biogen Inc. and Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Biogen has agreed to acquire all outstanding shares of Apellis for $41.00 per share in cash at closing, or approximately $5.6 billion. Apellis stockholders will also receive a nontransferable CVR for each Apellis share held, entitling the holder to receive two payments of $2 per share each, contingent on certain annual global net sales thresholds being met for SYFOVRE®. Cravath is representing Biogen in connection with the transaction.

            Cravath Bicentennial

            Celebrating 200 years of partnership. In 2019, we celebrated our bicentennial. Our history mirrors that of our nation. Integral to our story is our culture.

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