Merck & Co. (MRK) will consider making acquisitions as part of its strategy to develop the next generation of hepatitis C treatments, the drug maker's research chief said Tuesday. The search for better hepatitis C drugs has produced some eye-popping deals in the drug industry recently, including Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) planned $11 billion purchase of Pharmasset Inc. (VRUS) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.'s (BMY) agreement to acquire Inhibitex Inc. (INHX) for $2.5 billion.
