EU reviews Synopsys concessions on Ansys acquisition
To address EU concerns, Synopsys has proposed remedies for its $35 billion acquisition of Ansys.
Synopsys has proposed remedies to address EU antitrust concerns over its $35 billion acquisition of engineering software company Ansys. The deal, which was announced in January, marks one of the most significant mergers in the technology sector since Broadcom’s $69 billion purchase of VMware in 2023.
The European Commission, tasked with reviewing the merger, has set a decision deadline for 10 January. Details of the proposed remedies remain undisclosed, but the Commission may consult industry rivals and customers before making a final determination. If concerns persist, the regulator could launch an in-depth investigation lasting up to four months.
As part of its plans, Synopsys announced in September the sale of its Optical Solutions Group to Keysight Technologies. This divestiture is conditional on the completion of the Ansys acquisition, suggesting efforts to address market competition issues raised by the deal.
Recent feedback sought by the Commission has centred on whether electronic design automation (EDA) tools offered by Synopsys and Ansys can operate seamlessly with competitors’ products. Concerns about bundling practices in EDA software, services, and hardware have also been highlighted, adding pressure on Synopsys to alleviate antitrust fears.
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