23AndMe: Bankruptcy Filing Leaves Genetic Data on the Auction Block
23andMe (NASDAQ: ME), which famously provided customers with personalized ancestry and genetic risk reports, has filed for bankruptcy in the US. The company found itself grappling with a sharp decline in demand, a debilitating 2023 data breach, and mounting financial losses that stripped its market valuation from a high of $6 billion to just $48 million.
The announcement arrived with a jarring realization for many: the DNA data of more than 15 million people may now be up for grabs.
Weak sales of at-home testing kits were a central factor in the company’s downfall, reflecting what analysts call a “one-and-done problem.” After sending in saliva samples, customers typically received their ancestry results and disengaged. The revenue shortfall, coupled with the reputational damage of a high-profile data breach that exposed the information of millions, plunged the company further into crisis.
It did not help when co-founder Anne Wojcicki, long synonymous with 23andMe’s rise, resigned as CEO. While the company has not confirmed any other buyers, it has secured $35 million in financing to continue operating during the sale process.
Complicating matters further, 23andMe has rebuffed multiple takeover offers that it deemed insufficient, including one from Wojcicki. The most recent approach, from Texas oilman Ryan Sitton, valued at $100 million, was never formalized, though he publicly touted the potential for combining “complex system analysis” with genetic data to forecast long-term health outcomes.
For many consumers, the real concern centers on what happens next to their genetic information, especially as the company’s assets enter the bankruptcy pipeline. Privacy advocates, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta, have advised customers to consider deleting their profiles. Britain’s Information Commissioner’s Office echoed this vigilance, stating it was monitoring the situation and emphasizing that “the protections and restrictions of the UK GDPR continue to apply.”
Speaking to these worries, Chairman Mark Jensen attempted to reassure users, saying the company is “committed to continuing to safeguard customer data and being transparent about the management of user data going forward.”
The company also stated that there are “no changes to the way the company stores, manages, or protects customer data.”
Yet those words did little especially following the 2023 hacking incident that exposed millions of profiles and led to a $30 million class-action settlement.
Beyond privacy, the company’s commercial deals come under renewed scrutiny. The pharmaceutical giant GSK maintains a research agreement with 23andMe, leveraging anonymized DNA data to develop new treatments. A new owner might seek to enhance or expand such partnerships.
Information for this briefing was found via The Telegraph and the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
