The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on Wednesday that it will require Synopsys and Ansys to divest certain assets to resolve antitrust concerns surrounding their $35 billion merger. This decision allows the deal to proceed while aiming to maintain competition in critical software markets for semiconductor and light simulation design. The FTC's order mandates specific divestitures to Keysight Technologies.
Under the terms of the order, Synopsys must divest its optical and photonic design tools, while Ansys will sell its RTL power analysis software, PowerArtist. All these assets are to be transferred to Keysight Technologies, Inc., a U.S. electronic design and test solutions specialist. The order requires the companies to complete these divestitures within 10 days of closing the merger and provide support for the transition, under the oversight of an appointed monitor.
Daniel Guarnera, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, stated that the decision protects consumers from potential price hikes and reduced innovation in vital technology sectors. This conditional approval from the FTC is a significant regulatory milestone, bringing the acquisition closer to its anticipated closing in the first half of 2025, subject to other remaining regulatory approvals.
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