Johnson & Johnson announced a definitive agreement to acquire Alios BioPharma, a privately held clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for viral diseases, for approximately $1.75 billion in cash. Cravath represented Johnson & Johnson in the transaction. The closing is subject to clearance under the Hart‑Scott‑Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2014.

The Cravath team was led by partners Robert I. Townsend III and Damien R. Zoubek and included associate Allison M. Wein on M&A matters; partner Eric W. Hilfers and associates Jarrett R. Hoffman and Matthew J. Bobby on executive compensation and benefits matters; and partner David J. Kappos and associate Benjamin D. Landry on intellectual property matters. Adam J. Gross also worked on M&A matters.