Merck, Now No. 2 Drugmaker, Set For Future Buys

LINDA A. JOHNSON

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The new Merck & Co. has become the world's second-biggest drugmaker overnight with a huge acquisition, but it still has a fat wallet and plans more wheeling and dealing.

A day after closing its $41.1 billion purchase of longtime joint venture partner Schering-Plough Corp., Merck already is looking to increase the number of acquisitions and licensing deals it does, Chief Executive Richard Clark said Wednesday. The company has averaged 50 deals a year since 2003.

"We'll actually do more and maybe even try to double it," he told The Associated Press exclusively. ...