Synopsys / Ansys merger inquiry
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-27)

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigated the anticipated acquisition by Synopsys, Inc. of ANSYS, Inc.

Statutory timetable

Phase 1

Case closure

27 November 2025: The sale of the Divestment Businesses pursuant to the undertakings in lieu of reference completed on 17 October 2025. This brings the merger investigation to a close.

Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted

5 March 2025: The CMA has accepted undertakings in lieu of reference for the anticipated acquisition by Synopsys, Inc. of ANSYS, Inc.
- Full text decision (PDF, 224KB) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67cea940a175f08d198d816a/1._Full_text_decision_-_Synopsys.Ansys.pdf) (10.3.25)
- Final undertakings (PDF, 404KB) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67c724bb750837d7604dbe52/Final_undertakings.pdf) (5.3.25)
- Appointment of monitoring trustee (PDF, 119KB) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/683dc1c41b807cfa6995e084/Synopsys_Ansys_appointment_of_monitoring_trustee.pdf) (3.6.25)
Consultation of undertakings in lieu of reference: closed

12 February 2025: The CMA is consulting on proposed undertakings in lieu of a reference to a phase 2 investigation for the anticipated acquisition by Synopsys, Inc. of ANSYS, Inc.
- Notice of consultation on undertakings in lieu (PDF, 188KB) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67ac63b95d27cee6cccec4cd/synopsys_ansys_notice_of_consultation.pdf) (12.2.25)
- Proposed undertakings (PDF, 403KB) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67ac63f6d41dfb0b59cec4de/synopsys_ansys_proposed_undertakings.pdf) (12.2.25)
CMA to consider undertakings offered

8 January 2025: The Parties have offered undertakings in lieu of a reference to the CMA, which involve the divestment of certain businesses. The CMA considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings offered by Synopsys and Ansys or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA under the Enterprise Act 2002.
- Full text decision (PDF, 160KB) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67a0882460059d127f7adf8a/Decision_that_undertakings_might_be_accepted.pdf) (3.2.25)
Reference unless undertakings accepted

20 December 2024: The CMA has decided, on the evidence currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for an in-depth, phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer an acceptable undertaking to address these competition concerns.
- Full text decision (PDF, 881KB) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67a087e73f28b7444270a37d/A._Full_text_decision.pdf) (3.2.25)
- Summary of phase 1 decision (PDF, 122KB) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/677fefecd721a08c00665618/Summary.pdf) (20.12.24)
- Press release: CMA could approve Synopsys / Ansys merger if competition concerns are resolved (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-could-approve-synopsys-ansys-merger-if-competition-concerns-are-resolved) (20.12.24)
Launch of merger inquiry

25 October 2024: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.
- Commencement notice (PDF, 90KB) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/671b56e7ba4d6d1dc2066da1/Commencement_notice.pdf) (25.10.24)
Invitation to comment: closed

12 August 2024: The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

The CMA is issuing this ‘invitation to comment’ to allow interested parties to submit to the CMA any initial views on the impact that the transaction could have on competition in the UK. The CMA has not yet launched its formal investigation into this transaction.

To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party.

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition issues to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Privacy notice

Your name and contact details are your personal data. In collecting, receiving, storing, accessing and using your personal data, the CMA, as controller, is processing your personal data. The CMA processes personal data in accordance with data protection law. The CMA is processing your personal data so that it can contact you again, should it need further help or information from you, in order to carry out its merger work under Part 3 of the Enterprise Act 2002. For more information about how the CMA processes personal data and your rights relating to that data, please see our Privacy Notice (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/competition-and-markets-authority/about/personal-information-charter)