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Joele Frank works for satellite operator Iridium Communications as it gets acquired by space company Rocket Lab in a deal worth $8B.
The deal creates a vertically-integrated company that designs, builds, launches and operates its own constellation, delivering communications capabilities to millions of global users.
The Wall Street Journal positions the completed merger as a competitor to Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Peter Beck, CEO of Rocket Lab, called the transaction a defining moment for the space industry and the start of a new era of strategic, accelerated growth for his company and Iridium.
“By marrying Iridium's deep heritage, trusted infrastructure, and highly sought-after spectrum with Rocket Lab's extensive and proven launch and manufacturing capabilities, we have the capability to unlock entirely new markets,” he said. “We will go far beyond maintaining a legacy; we are going to build upon it to pioneer next-generation space applications and deliver sought-after capabilities to existing and new customers.”
The deal is expected to close in mid-2027.
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher’s Joe Sala, Andrew Siegel and Tom Crosson represent Iridium.
Joele Frank handles Crinetics Pharmaceuticals as the specialist for treatments for endocrine diseases agrees to get acquired by Vertex Pharmaceuticals in a deal pegged at $8.8B.
Teneo represents Honeywell spin-off Solstice Advanced Materials as it buys Collected Strategies client Element Solutions in a deal pegged at $14.5B.
Dallas-based Throughline Global Advisors advised Principal Mineral as it acquired Isola Group, maker of copper-clad laminates used in printed circuit boards.
Uber’s Mike Lucarelli is moving to NXP Semiconductors as senior VP-investor relations.
Joele Frank handles Minneapolis-based Bio-Techne, provider of life science tools and analytical technologies, as it gets acquired by Germany’s Merck KGaA in a deal valued at $11.3B.
