Anne Wojcicki, cofounder and former chief executive of 23andMe, is taking back control of the struggling genetic testing pioneer.
Months after the company filed for bankruptcy, Wojcicki has emerged as the winning bidder in a competitive court-supervised auction, beating out pharmaceutical heavyweight, Regeneron, with a $305 million offer through a newly formed non-profit, TTAM Research Institute.
The move marks a dramatic return to a former Nasdaq constituent that defined the direct-to-consumer DNA testing revolution but then lost its way amidst financial losses, privacy concerns, and waning demand.
Wojcicki could restore her vision at 23andMe
At the heart of Wojcicki’s bid is a mission to preserve 23andMe’s founding principles: empowering consumers with control over their genetic data and advancing medical research through voluntary data-sharing.
Her return follows a turbulent period for the personal genomics firm, which saw a sharp revenue decline, a data breach that affected millions, and growing skepticism over how genetic information was handled and monetized.
Wojcicki, who stepped down from the company earlier this year as its CEO, has long championed transparency, consumer autonomy, and preventative health.
By reacquiring 23andMe through a nonprofit structure, she signals a pivot away from shareholder-driven growth and toward rebuilding trust and long-term impact.
According to filings, her nonprofit will not only preserve the genomics company’s consumer services and research platform but also commit over $80 million in operating capital to stabilize operations – an unusually large pledge in a bankruptcy process.
Wojcicki’s proposal offers reassurances to customers
A central question throughout the 23andMe bankruptcy proceedings was: What happens to the genetic data of over 15 million customers?
Regulators and privacy advocates voiced concern that a corporate buyer like Regeneron might use the data in ways inconsistent with the original user agreements.
In comparison, Wojcicki’s proposal offered better reassurances than the biotech’s proposal – committing to a new privacy advisory board, opt-out protections, and a pledge to uphold the company’s prior data policies.
In an era where data is described as the “new oil,” Wojcicki’s approach emphasizes stewardship over exploitation.
Her offer wasn’t just more generous financially, but aligned better with the values many early 23andMe users signed up for.
Note that Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has declined to counter the entrepreneur’s higher offer and will receive a $10 million breakup fee instead.
23andMe still has major challenges ahead
While Wojcicki’s return is being hailed as a redemption story, challenges remain.
The company’s reputation has taken hits, and consumer interest in recreational DNA testing has cooled in recent years. Competition is fierce, and regulatory scrutiny over health claims and data privacy is only intensifying.
Yet, by taking it nonprofit, Wojcicki may have more room to innovate outside the expectations of Wall Street. Focus now appears to be on rebuilding slowly, with patient capital, ethical safeguards, and a science-first agenda.
In retaking control, Anne Wojcicki is not just reclaiming a company. She’s betting that the future of genomics still lies in empowering people, not just profiting from their DNA.
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