BIOTECHNOLOGY

Chiron, Viagene End Merger Talks: Chiron Corp. and Viagene Inc. ended discussions on a transaction calling for Chiron to acquire Viagene, a San Diego-based bio-pharmaceutical company. Talks between the two companies took place last week, Emeryville, Calif.-based Chiron reported in a Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Chiron said discussions were terminated “without any agreement having been reached.”