Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is treated with a combination therapy of antiviral drugs and interferon alpha. During June 2006, Novartis entered into deals to acquire products for both of these treatment arms with Genelabs Technologies and Human Genome Sciences (HGS), respectively. For Genelabs the alliance was a timely boost to a company that has been struggling to maintain its listing on Nasdaq. For HGS, the deal, although large, was less critical, but was nonetheless the highlight of an eventful deal making month for the company. The duelling between Roche and Schering-Plough for dominance in the HCV field may explain why Novartis has been so keen to follow this combinatorial deal making strategy.