If any doubt remained regarding the potential of nucleoside analogue drugs to treat hepatitis C virus, the $2.5 billion offer for Inhibitex Inc. by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. should have put it to rest. Closely following Gilead Sciences Inc.'s acquisition of a similar technology in its $11 billion purchase of Pharmasset Inc., the deal makes it clear that a nuc is now a must-have weapon in the HCV arsenal.