When Amgen Inc. (AMGN), the world’s largest biotechnology firm, decided that heart drugs being developed by startup MiRagen Therapeutics Inc. were too risky for a partnership deal, the company didn’t just walk away. Instead, Amgen turned to its venture capital arm to help fund the 4-year-old company. While Amgen has cut research spending, the Thousand Oaks, California-based biotech says its venture fund has invested in 26 companies since starting with $100 million in 2004.
