In an unexpected twist, former CEO Anne Wojcicki, founder of 23andMe, is set to take control of the DNA Company’s assets. According to a press release from 23andMe. The Wall Street Journal (19459025) reportedthat Wojcicki’s nonprofit, TTAM Research Institute was able “unsolicited offer” to reopen the bidding by offering $305 million.
According toWSJ, a bankruptcy judge agreed to reopen the bidding for 23andMe on condition that Regeneron topped Wojcicki’s proposed price by $10 million. Regeneron declined and 23andMe is now under the control of TTAM, assuming that the judge approves this deal. The hearing to review the new deal has been set for June 17th, 2025.
Regeneron originally planned to retain all of its employees and continue offering DNA testing kits for consumers. In addition to answering customers’ questions regarding their ancestry and health risks, 23andMe genetic data can be used as a tool to identify drug targets, or in the case Regeneron as a means of identifying possible health risks.
Wojcicki’s next move is not clear, but 23andMe announced that TTAM Research Institute had agreed to a number of privacy and data protections for customers. These include continuing to allow users to delete their data, opting out of research, establishing a Consumer Privacy Advocacy Board, and promising to “not sell or transfer genetic data” if there was another bankruptcy, unless the buyer agreed to the same privacy and data protections.
Wojcicki has been planning to maintain control of the assets of 23andMe since it declared bankruptcy in March 2020. She resigned from her position as CEO of the company to make an offer on the company. Wojcicki explains. “We believe it is critical that individuals are empowered to have choice and transparency with respect to their genetic data and have the opportunity to continue to learn about their ancestry and health risks as they wish.”
23andMe’s last few years were turbulent, with a data breach that affected millions of customers in 2023 and mass layoffs that affected 40% of the company staff in 2024. If you purchase something after clicking on a link within this article, we might earn a commission.
