Freshfields advises Compagnie Nationale à Portefeuille on the sale of its controlling stake in CLS

Global law firm Freshfields is advising Compagnie Nationale à Portefeuille (“CNP”) in relation to the sale of its controlling stake in Collecte Localisation Satellites (“CLS”), a Global Leader in AI-Driven Earth Observation Data Analytics, to MDA Space Ltd. (TSX:MDA) (NYSE:MDA), an international space mission partner.

Upon completion of the transaction, MDA Space would acquire an approximately 70% interest in CLS from CNP and other shareholders of CLS’ parent company, while the Centre national d’études spatiales (“CNES”), the French space agency, would retain an approximately 30% interest in CLS.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and the information and consultation procedures of relevant employee representative bodies, and is expected to be completed by end of 2026 or Q1 2027.

The Freshfields team was led by Nicolas Barberis (Corporate, Paris) and included:

Partners: Julien Rebibo (Corporate, Paris), Charlotte Colin-Dubuisson (Competition, Paris), Pascal Cuche (FDI, Paris), Stéphanie Corbière (Finance, Paris), Thomas Métayer (Tax, Paris), Gwen Senlanne (People and Reward, Paris), Alvaro Iza (FDI, Madrid), Christine Laciak (FDI, Washington)

Counsel: Radu Valeanu (Corporate, Paris), Tanguy Bardet (FDI, Paris), Tianzi Ye (Finance, Paris), Alessandro Di Giò (FDI, Rome), Sarah E. Jensen (FDI, London), Charles Ramsey (Competition, Washington),

Senior Advisor: Brian Reissaus (FDI, Washington)

Senior Associates: Anne Dos (Competition, Paris), Capucine Chareton (Tax, Paris), Matthias Triolle (People and Reward, Paris), Terri Cliffe (FDI, London), Javier Fernández Hinoja (FDI, Madrid)

Associates: Romain Giraud (Corporate, Paris), Andrew Gabel (FDI, Washington)