Regulator opens review of Synopsys’ $35 billion acquisition of Ansys

Seoul, June 12: South Korea’s antitrust regulator said Wednesday it has begun reviewing a proposed takeover of chip design software giant Synopsys by engineering software company Ansys.

The U.S. software maker said in January it had entered into a $35 billion deal to buy Ansys, a U.S. company that produces product design simulation and analysis software for electronics and car makers, among others, Yonhap news agency reported.

“We will carefully evaluate whether the proposed transaction would have an adverse effect on competition or impede innovation in the sector in accordance with due standards and processes under the Fair Trade Act,” the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said in a statement.

“During our discussions, we will work closely with foreign regulators and listen to the views of competitors and other interested parties at home and abroad,” he added.

The regulator will review the agreement for 30 days, and the review period may be extended to 90 days.

If completed, it would be the biggest acquisition in the technology sector since chipmaker Broadcom acquired software maker VMware in 2023.