Health Care's Hottest Duo

The following video is part of our "Motley Fool Conversations" series, in which Brendan Byrnes, industrials editor and analyst, and David Williamson, health-care editor and analyst, discuss topics around the investing world.

In today's edition, they discuss the two performers in health care for 2011. Both companies have exciting hepatitis C drug candidates catching the attention of Big Pharma. Gilead purchased Pharmasset for $11 billion, a 59% premuim over the company's all-time high.

There's a race among major drugmakers to obtain the most effective next-gen combo drug treatment to eliminate hep-C. Investors are looking for more M&A, as shares of Inhibtex and Achillion have been bid up recently.

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At the time thisarticle was published Brendan Byrnes owns no shares of the companies listed above. David Williamson and The Motley Fool own shares of Johnson & Johnson.Motley Fool newsletter serviceshave recommended buying shares of Johnson & Johnson and Gilead Sciences and creating a diagonal call position in Johnson & Johnson. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy.

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