Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is advising Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX) in its acquisition of Aptalis, a privately-held U.S.-based specialty Gastrointestinal and Cystic Fibrosis company, for $2.9 billion in cash from TPG, the global private investment firm. The acquisition, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including antitrust approval in the U.S. and Canada, is expected to close in the first half of 2014.

Forest is a leading, fully integrated, specialty pharmaceutical company largely focused on the U.S. market. Forest intends to acquire Aptalis from its shareholders, including TPG, and expects to use a combination of cash on hand and debt to fund the transaction. Forest has secured a commitment for a $1.9 billion bridge facility.

The Debevoise team is led by partner Andrew L. Bab and includes partners Gary M. Friedman, Pierre Maugüé and Andrew M. Levine, counsel Judith L. Church, Kristin D. Kiehn and Carl Riehl, and associates Kamal Agrawal, Michael Duignan, Andrew M. Hirsch, Meir D. Katz and Daniel T. Rothberg.