Merck of Germany plans to launch a significant series of acquisitions over the next three years to boost its consumer health and life sciences divisions, while expanding its pharmaceuticals and liquid crystal businesses organically.

In the first interview since his appointment as chairman of the executive board in April, Karl-Ludwig Kley told the Financial Times he was seeking deals in the consumer healthcare and chemicals divisions to increase their clout, boost returns and swell Merck’s annual sales to €10bn ($13.9bn) by 2010.