In this Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013 file photo, Merck scientist Pascale Nantermet conducts research to discover new HIV drugs in West Point, Pa. Merck's acquisition of Cubist Pharmaceuticals, announced Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, helped boost the total value of global deals this year to $3.4 trillion, the best year since a total of $4.6 trillion of deals were struck in 2007, according to financial data provider Dealogic.