UK competition regulator scrutinises Synopsys’ $35bn takeover of Ansys

The CMA’s ‘call for comments’ notice asked stakeholders and interested parties to express their concerns, after which the regulator will decide whether to escalate the inquiry into a formal merger investigation.

Synopsys, a leading provider of electronic design automation (EDA) tools, announced in January that it intends to acquire Ansys. Ansys, known for its simulation software, helps engineers in various industries, including the semiconductor sector, model and analyze the physical behavior of products.

A merger of the two companies would create a powerful force in chip design and simulation, making the development process more efficient by reducing the likelihood of errors. However, it could also lead to one company dominating the entire chip design industry, making it difficult for competitors without similar capabilities to compete.