Core Viewpoint - Merck (MRK.US) is actively seeking large-scale acquisitions, with CEO Rob Davis indicating the company sees "multiple opportunities" for significant deals worth hundreds of billions of dollars, particularly before the patent expiration of its blockbuster drug, Keytruda [1][2] Group 1: Acquisition Strategy - Merck is preparing for the impact of patent expirations, with analysts predicting a potential sales erosion of $18 billion over the next five years due to the expiration of Keytruda's patent in 2028 [2][3] - The company has already completed several large transactions in the past 18 months, including the acquisition of Verona Pharma for approximately $10 billion and Cidara for about $9.2 billion, demonstrating its commitment to expanding its product portfolio [4] Group 2: Focus Areas for Future Acquisitions - Oncology remains the top priority for Merck, with plans to diversify its cancer product line beyond Keytruda, including potential acquisitions in the range of $28 billion to $32 billion for companies like Revolution Medicines, which focuses on RAS pathway-targeted therapies [5][6] - The company is also interested in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and next-generation tumor payload platforms, reflecting a strategic bet on ADCs as a growth engine post-Keytruda [5][6] - New immunotherapy modalities, such as T-cell engagers, are likely to attract Merck's interest, as evidenced by its acquisition of Harpoon Therapeutics to enhance its oncology pipeline [6][7] Group 3: Broader Strategic Goals - Merck has raised its long-term sales target for its cardiovascular and respiratory business to approximately $20 billion, indicating a strategic shift towards these areas [7] - The company is likely to pursue differentiated small molecules or biologics for chronic diseases like COPD and asthma, as well as assets in cardiovascular metabolism that can achieve significant sales by 2028-2032 [7]