Synopsys to Buy Epic Design Technology

Synopsys Inc. said it will buy Epic Design Technology Inc. for $427.1 million, or $31.25 a share, in a stock-swap merger that would combine two developers of engineering software. Shares of Mountain View-based Synopsys shares were unchanged at $41.75. Epic shares lost $1 to close at $30.25. Both trade on Nasdaq. Synopsys said it would issue 0.7485 shares of its stock for each outstanding Epic share. The acquisition values Epic at $427.1 million, or $31.25 a share. Both companies make software used to help engineers design the complicated circuitry imprinted on computer chips. Synopsys said the acquisition would broaden its product offerings. Sunnyvale-based Epic would become a Synopsys unit headed by Epic Chairman Sang Wang and President Berrnie Aronson.