John Ceccio

John’s relevant experience includes counseling firms and private equity sponsors on antitrust deal risks, managing HSR filings, implementing appropriate contractual risk-shifting provisions, negotiating and responding to second requests, and developing strategic arguments for merger clearance and litigation. He has provided strategic guidance on product development and business strategies to firms in various industries, including technology, life sciences, healthcare, and financial services. As product counsel for a large technology firm, John addressed issues arising under various topics, such as competition law, interface design, privacy, product configurations, AI integration, and contracting practices. Additionally, he has collaborated with computer science and economist experts to develop litigation strategies related to AI, data, and machine learning models. Before joining Morgan Lewis, John practiced in the antitrust & competition group at another large law firm, and before that, was a full-time extern at the FTC’s Mergers IV division.

Tech Transactions

• Visa/Plaid* - Represented Plaid in its $5.3 billion acquisition by Visa, aimed at integrating Plaid's API technology that connects apps with users’ bank accounts into Visa’s payment ecosystem.
• Intuit/Credit Karma* - Represented Credit Karma in its $7.1 billion acquisition by Intuit, a deal that integrated Credit Karma’s consumer finance products, including free credit score monitoring and financial recommendations, into Intuit's platform.
• Tenable/Accurics* - Represented Accurics in its acquisition by Tenable, enhancing Tenable's security solutions by integrating Accurics' infrastructure as code (IaC) security technology to prevent security risks in cloud-native environments.
• Project44/Convey* - Represented Project44 in its acquisition of Convey, expanding Project44’s logistics platform with Convey’s delivery experience management solutions, particularly in last-mile delivery.
• RingCentral/Mitel Networks* - Represented Project44 in its acquisition of Convey, expanding Project44’s logistics platform with Convey’s delivery experience management solutions, particularly in last-mile delivery.
• Forescout Technology/Cysiv, Inc.* - Represented Cysiv in its acquisition by Forescout Technology, adding Cysiv's threat detection and response capabilities to Forescout’s cybersecurity offerings.
• MaxLinear/Silicon Motion Technologies*- Represented MaxLinear in its attempted $3.8 billion acquisition of Silicon Motion Technologies to expand its semiconductor solutions.

Healthcare and Life Sciences Transactions

• Bio-Techne/Namocell* - Represented Namocell in its acquisition by Bio-Techne, which enhanced Bio-Techne's portfolio in cell and gene therapy by integrating Namocell's single-cell sorting and dispensing products.
• Sanofi/IGM Biosciences* - Represented IGM Biosciences in its exclusive worldwide collaboration agreement with Sanofi to create, develop, manufacture, and commercialize IgM antibody agonists against three oncology targets and three immunology/inflammation targets.
• Novartis/DTx Pharma* - Represented DTx Pharma in its acquisition by Novartis, bolstering Novartis' gene therapy pipeline with DTx Pharma's proprietary Fatty Acid Ligand Conjugated Oligonucleotide (FALCON) platform for treating rare diseases.
• Eli Lilly/Amphastar* - Represented Amphastar in its acquisition of Eli Lilly’s BAQSIMI product, enhancing Eli Lilly's portfolio with Amphastar’s injectable and inhalation products, particularly in diabetes care.
• Bruker/Nanostring - Represented Bruker in its acquisition of Nanostring, focusing on enhancing Bruker’s spatial biology capabilities with Nanostring’s digital spatial profiling technology.

Other Transactions

• J.M. Smucker/Hostess Brands - Represented Hostess Brands in its acquisition by J.M. Smucker, a transaction that integrated Hostess's iconic snack brands, such as Twinkies and Ding Dongs, into Smucker’s broader food portfolio.
• SmashCapital/TradingView - Represented SmashCapital in its investment in TradingView, supporting TradingView’s growth in providing real-time charting tools and social networking for traders and investors.

Counseling

• Product Counsel for Large Technology Firm* - Served as in-house product counsel for a large technology firm, advising on competition law, privacy, and consumer protection, including issues associated with AI integration, interface design, product configurations, and contracting practices.
• Counseling for Large Biopharmaceutical Firm* - Counseled large biopharmaceutical firm with respect to distribution, pricing, and promotion strategies, as well as R&D and IP partnerships.*
• Joint Venture Counseling - Advised joint venture consortium in the retail industry related to potential acquisition of distributor.

Litigation and Government Investigations

• Represented large technology firm against Section 2 Sherman Act claims brought by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and State Attorneys General, focused specifically on working closely with computer science and economic experts related technical issues in the case, including the use and value of data and artificial intelligence technologies.*
• Represented large pharmaceutical company against pay-for-delay allegations.*
• Represented non-party in front of FTC related to conduct in the social media industry.*
• Represented non-party electronics manufacturer in front of the FTC related to conduct in the home electronics industry.*
• Represented firm in inmate calling services industry against Section 1 Sherman Act Claims.
• Represented multiple non-parties in FTC’s challenge of Tapestry/Coach transaction.
• Represented large generic pharmaceutical company in connection with various Section 1 Sherman Act claims.

*Indicates matter handled before joining Morgan, Lewis & Bockius