By Dean Seal


China's market regulator is looking into Synopsys' proposed $35 billion acquisition of Ansys, the company said Thursday.

The chip software maker disclosed in a regulatory filing that earlier this week, China's State Administration for Market Regulation took the position that Synopsys must have the tie-up cleared by regulators before it can go forward, even though the transaction falls below China's merger notification thresholds.

Synopsys said it is working with Ansys on next steps and that the deal is expected to close in the first half of 2025, assuming it receives approval from Ansys shareholders and regulators.

The company said in January that it had agreed to buy Ansys in a cash-and-stock deal that would provide Ansys shareholders with $197 in cash and 0.345 share of Synopsys stock per share of Ansys.

The acquisition would extend Synopsys' reach in simulation software for designers of microchips, cars and airplanes. It is currently one of two big players in the space for software that chip makers use to lay out and test circuitry prior to manufacturing.


Write to Dean Seal at dean.seal@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

05-16-24 1000ET