Boosting its chip design edge, Cadence is set to acquire Arm’s Artisan IP, gaining libraries, compilers, and talent to fast-track innovation in SoC and advanced foundry tech.
Design automation company Cadence has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Arm’s Artisan foundation intellectual property (IP) business. The deal includes standard cell libraries, memory compilers, and general-purpose input/ output (GPIOs) tailored for cutting-edge process nodes at major foundries.
This move strengthens Cadence’s growing design IP portfolio, which already includes protocol, interface, memory interface, SerDes, and embedded security IP—particularly boosted by its upcoming Secure-IC acquisition.
With this acquisition, Cadence aims to deepen its presence in system-on-chip (SoC) designs. It intends to support customers in accelerating time-to-market and optimising power, performance, and cost across top-tier foundry processes.
According to the company, the transaction is structured as an asset purchase, alongside a technology licence agreement to be finalised upon closing. Cadence will also acquire a seasoned engineering team, enhancing its current and emerging IP development capabilities.
Boyd Phelps, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cadence’s Silicon Solutions Group, highlighted the significance of the deal.
“Arm’s Artisan IP has a 25-year legacy in SoC and foundry ecosystems. This acquisition allows Cadence to step into the foundation IP space, offering expanded growth potential,” he stated.
Phelps also added that the integration will bolster Cadence’s IP strategy and chiplet solutions, aiming to boost performance, power, and area (PPA) improvements.
Arm’s executive vice president, Kevork Kechichian, expressed confidence in the transition. “We believe Cadence is well-positioned to carry the Artisan legacy forward, ensuring essential physical IP remains available across industries,” he said.
The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approvals and standard conditions. It is not projected to significantly impact Cadence’s revenue or earnings this year.
