Merck acquired Ormet Circuits Inc. to strengthen its position as a materials supplier for the semiconductor industry.   Ormet is an early-stage, venture-capital-backed business located in San Diego, CA. It has previously been owned by various institutional and private investors, of which PEI Funds, a US-based investment company, was the single largest shareholder. Merck already held a minority stake in Ormet and has now taken over all remaining shares. The parties have agreed not to disclose t...