23andMe

23andMe is a United States personal genomics and biotechnology brand built around direct-to-consumer genetic testing. Customers provide a saliva sample using a home collection kit; the sample is processed through laboratory genotyping, historically using Illumina microarray technology, and the resulting data is interpreted through an online account. Core experiences have included ancestry composition, genetic-relative matching, family-tree and lineage tools, selected traits, raw-data access, and health-related reports concerning certain inherited conditions, carrier statuses, wellness characteristics, and pharmacogenetic markers. The name refers to the 23 pairs of chromosomes normally present in a human diploid cell. Founded in 2006 by Anne Wojcicki, Linda Avey, and Paul Cusenza, the company helped establish consumer genetic testing as a recognizable technology category. Its model combined a relatively accessible testing kit with software-based interpretation and an optional research-consent framework. This enabled the company to build a large genotype database while allowing consenting customers to contribute information to biomedical research. By February 2024, the company said that it had genotyped more than 14 million people, and research associated with its database had contributed to hundreds of peer-reviewed publications. 23andMe’s development was shaped by the tension between consumer accessibility and medical regulation. The United States Food and Drug Administration objected to the company’s marketing and health-related reporting practices in 2013, after which new US customers temporarily received a more limited product focused on ancestry and raw data. Beginning in 2015, the FDA cleared or authorized specific carrier-status and genetic-risk reports, allowing a controlled return of selected health information. The scope of reports has varied by country, product version, laboratory platform, and regulatory requirements; the service is not a substitute for clinical diagnosis or professional genetic counseling. The company expanded internationally, introduced different ancestry and health product configurations, launched subscription-based features, and acquired the telehealth service Lemonaid Health in 2021. It also pursued pharmaceutical and research partnerships, most notably with GlaxoSmithKline, under which consenting-customer data supported drug-discovery and development work. 23andMe became publicly traded in 2021 through a merger with VG Acquisition Corp., a special-purpose acquisition company associated with Richard Branson. The company later faced weak profitability, limited recurring revenue from one-time test-kit purchases, declining valuation, layoffs, governance conflict, and privacy scrutiny. In March 2025 it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and Anne Wojcicki resigned as chief executive. After a contested bankruptcy auction, TTAM Research Institute acquired substantially all of the company’s assets for $305 million, completing the transaction on July 14, 2025. The business continued as a nonprofit public benefit organization under TTAM ownership, with commitments concerning existing privacy policies, consumer oversight, and restrictions on future transfers of genetic data.

23andMe was founded in 2006 by Anne Wojcicki, Linda Avey, and Paul Cusenza with the goal of making genetic information directly accessible to individuals. The company launched saliva-based consumer testing in 2007 and used genotyping to produce online ancestry, trait, and health-related interpretations. Its early model also contemplated building a research database from customers who chose to participate. Google, Genentech, New Enterprise Associates, and Mohr Davidow Ventures were among the early investors. Cusenza left in 2007 and Avey departed in 2009. The company raised substantial venture financing during the following decade, including a $50 million Series D round in 2012 and a $115 million Series E round in 2015. Its testing product attracted broad public attention and was recognized by Time as an invention of the year in 2008. Regulation became a defining turning point. State authorities in New York and California required relevant laboratory and clinical certifications, while the FDA treated health-related direct-to-consumer tests as medical devices requiring review. In 2013, after concerns about validation and the company’s communications, the FDA directed 23andMe to stop marketing its Personal Genome Service. New US customers temporarily received ancestry-related results and raw data without the previous health interpretations. The company later submitted data supporting carrier-status testing, and in 2015 resumed selected US health reports under FDA-cleared conditions. Additional health-related reports followed in later years, but availability remained jurisdiction-specific. The company expanded to Canada in 2014 and the United Kingdom later that year. It developed ancestry tools, relative matching, mitochondrial and Y-chromosome lineage features, raw-data downloads, and programs intended to improve representation of African and other underrepresented populations in genetic research. A 2020 subscription product, 23andMe+, offered additional health and pharmacogenetic reports to eligible customers. In 2018, 23andMe announced a partnership with GlaxoSmithKline. GSK invested $300 million and used data from consenting customers to support drug research; the arrangement was later extended with an additional payment. The collaboration produced a jointly developed cancer-therapy clinical trial in 2020. In 2021, 23andMe merged with VG Acquisition Corp. and began trading on Nasdaq as 23andMe Holding Co. under ME. It also acquired Lemonaid Health for approximately $400 million. The public-company period was marked by an initially high valuation but continuing profitability challenges. The company’s one-time kit sales did not provide the recurring revenue profile sought by many investors, and its valuation fell substantially from its post-listing peak. Anne Wojcicki made multiple attempts to take the company private in 2024 and 2025. Board disagreements culminated in the resignation of all seven independent directors in September 2024. The company disclosed liquidity needs and explored strategic alternatives before filing for Chapter 11 on March 23, 2025. Trading was suspended and the shares were delisted from Nasdaq. The bankruptcy sale initially involved a bid from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, but the auction was reopened after TTAM Research Institute challenged its exclusion. TTAM, a nonprofit public benefit corporation founded by Wojcicki, ultimately won with a $305 million bid. The acquisition closed on July 14, 2025, covering substantially all of 23andMe’s assets, including the Personal Genome Service, research operations, and Lemonaid Health. TTAM stated that it would honor existing privacy commitments, create a Consumer Privacy Advisory Board, and limit future genetic-data transfers unless equivalent protections were adopted.

1. 2025Chapter 11 filing and TTAM acquisition

   23andMe files for bankruptcy and later transfers substantially all assets to TTAM Research Institute.

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2. 2021Public listing and Lemonaid acquisition

   The company completes its SPAC merger and acquires Lemonaid Health.

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3. 2018GSK research partnership

   23andMe announces a data and drug-development partnership with GlaxoSmithKline.

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4. 2015Selected health reporting returns in the US

   FDA clearance allows the company to resume specified carrier-status and related reports.

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5. 2013US health-report suspension

   Following FDA action, new US customers lose access to health-related reports while regulatory review proceeds.

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6. 2008Product receives major popular recognition

   Time names the saliva-based genetic testing product its Invention of the Year.

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7. 2007Consumer saliva testing launches

   23andMe begins offering direct-to-consumer genotyping using saliva samples.

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8. 200623andMe is founded

   Anne Wojcicki, Linda Avey, and Paul Cusenza establish the personal genomics company in the United States.

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Consumer-facing personal genomics combining ancestry discovery, genetic relationships, selected health information, and consent-based biomedical research.

• Personal Genome ServiceConsumer genetic testing2007

  The company’s principal testing platform. Customers mail a saliva sample to a laboratory and receive reports through an online account. Depending on the market and product version, the service combines ancestry composition, genetic-relative matching, selected traits, health-related genetic information, lineage tools, and access to uninterpreted raw genotype data.

• Ancestry ServiceAncestry analysis2007

  An ancestry-focused product that estimates genetic ancestry across regions and populations. It can include ancestry composition, DNA-relative matching, family-tree tools, and maternal or paternal lineage information where the available genotype data supports those analyses. Results are statistical estimates rather than legal determinations of nationality or identity.

• Health + AncestryConsumer genetic testing

  A combined testing configuration providing ancestry features together with selected health, carrier-status, wellness, and pharmacogenetic reports. The exact report set depends on regulatory approval, country, chip version, and product eligibility. The information is intended for consumer education and is not a clinical diagnosis.

• DNA RelativesGenetic-relative matching

  A consent-based matching service that compares shared genetic markers among participating customers to identify possible biological relationships. Users can control participation and visibility through privacy settings, and the service has been used by people researching biological family connections, including some donor-conceived individuals.

• 23andMe+Subscription service2020

  A subscription offering introduced for eligible Health + Ancestry customers. It provided additional health and pharmacogenetic reports and periodic updates beyond the standard product, subject to market and platform limitations.

• Lemonaid HealthTelehealth

  A telehealth business acquired by 23andMe in 2021. Its inclusion in the 2025 TTAM transaction extended the company’s activities beyond genetic testing into online healthcare access and consultations.

• 2018Global Genetics Program

  International

  An expansion of the company’s population-recruitment work aimed at increasing participation from underrepresented countries and communities.

  Outcome. Supported broader ancestry and research representation.

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• 2018Populations Collaboration Program

  International

  A formal collaboration initiative involving research partnerships intended to improve population diversity in genetic studies.

  Outcome. Added institutional partnerships to the company’s diversity strategy.

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• 2016African Genetics Program

  United States

  A program supported by an NIH grant to recruit more participants of sub-Saharan African ancestry and address gaps in the populations represented in genetic datasets.

  Outcome. Expanded into broader population-diversity initiatives.

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• 2025File for Chapter 11 and sell assetsOther

  The company disclosed liquidity needs and faced declining valuation, continuing losses, governance conflict, and strategic uncertainty.

  What changed. 23andMe filed for Chapter 11 protection and pursued a court-supervised sale process. Anne Wojcicki resigned as CEO.

  Aftermath. TTAM Research Institute won the reopened auction and acquired substantially all assets for $305 million on July 14, 2025.

  TTAM acquisition bid. US$305 million (July 14, 2025)

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• 2021Merge with VG Acquisition Corp.M&A

  23andMe sought public-market access and additional capital through a special-purpose acquisition company transaction.

  What changed. The merger closed and the combined company began trading on Nasdaq under the symbol ME.

  Aftermath. The company operated as a public company before later delisting and entering bankruptcy proceedings.

  Announced transaction value. US$3.5 billion (2021)

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• 2021Acquire Lemonaid HealthM&A

  23andMe sought to expand from genetic information services into consumer healthcare and telehealth.

  What changed. The company acquired Lemonaid Health, with the transaction closing in November 2021.

  Aftermath. Lemonaid remained part of the company’s assets and was included in the later TTAM acquisition.

  Acquisition price. US$400 million (2021)

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• 2013Suspend US health-related reportingOther

  The FDA stated that 23andMe had not adequately demonstrated the analytical and clinical validity of its health-related reports and raised concerns about potential consumer harm.

  What changed. The company stopped marketing the Personal Genome Service for health purposes and suspended health reports for new US customers, while continuing limited ancestry and raw-data services.

  Aftermath. The company pursued FDA review and later resumed selected health reports under cleared conditions.

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• 2025Privacy concerns during bankruptcyControversy

  The bankruptcy and proposed transfer of a large genetic database prompted consumer and regulatory concern about deletion rights, retention obligations, and the future ownership or transfer of sensitive genetic information. California’s attorney general issued a consumer alert reminding residents of their privacy rights.

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• 202523andMe files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

  The company sought bankruptcy protection while pursuing a sale of its assets. Wojcicki stepped down as CEO and Joe Selsavage assumed the role during the process.

  BankruptcyLeadership change
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• 2025TTAM Research Institute completes acquisition of 23andMe assets

  After a reopened bankruptcy auction, TTAM won with a $305 million bid and completed the purchase of substantially all of 23andMe’s assets on July 14, 2025.

  M&ABankruptcy
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• 202523andMe files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

  The company announced a Chapter 11 filing, placing its corporate future and the handling of its genetic-data assets under court-supervised restructuring.

  Bankruptcy
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• 2024Independent directors resign amid privatization conflict

  All seven independent directors resigned after disagreements surrounding Anne Wojcicki’s proposals to take the company private and the board’s strategic process.

  Leadership change
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• 2024Independent directors resign after dispute over take-private proposal

  All independent members of 23andMe's board resigned after disagreements with Anne Wojcicki over her proposal to acquire the company and take it private.

  Leadership change
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• 202123andMe becomes publicly traded through SPAC merger

  The merger with VG Acquisition Corp. closed and the combined company began trading on Nasdaq under ME.

  M&A
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• 202123andMe acquires Lemonaid Health

  The company completed its acquisition of the telehealth provider Lemonaid Health for approximately $400 million.

  M&A
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• 202123andMe completes merger with VG Acquisition Corp.

  23andMe became a publicly traded company through a merger with VG Acquisition Corp., beginning trading on Nasdaq under the ticker ME.

  M&A
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• 201823andMe announces GlaxoSmithKline partnership

  GSK agreed to use data from consenting customers for drug-development work and invested $300 million in the company.

  M&AOther
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• 2018FDA authorizes selected direct-to-consumer BRCA reports

  The FDA authorized 23andMe to market reports for three specific BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants, while emphasizing that the reports did not cover most clinically relevant BRCA mutations.

  RegulationProduct launch
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• 201523andMe resumes selected US health reports after FDA clearance

  The company resumed offering specified carrier-status and related reports after obtaining FDA clearance and regulatory clarification.

  RegulationProduct launch
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• 2013FDA orders 23andMe to stop marketing its Personal Genome Service

  The FDA raised concerns about validation, communication, and the possible consequences of inaccurate health-related interpretations. 23andMe stopped providing health reports to new US customers while continuing limited ancestry and raw-data services.

  Regulation
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• 2013FDA orders 23andMe to stop marketing most health-related genetic reports

  The FDA directed 23andMe to stop marketing its health-related reports until the company addressed regulatory concerns concerning analytical validity, clinical validity, and consumer communications.

  Regulation
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1. 23andMe
2. 23andMe official website
3. 23andMe discloses credential-stuffing data breach
4. Regulatory dispute over health claims
5. 23andMe files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
6. Independent directors resign after dispute over take-private proposal
7. 23andMe completes merger with VG Acquisition Corp.
8. FDA authorizes selected direct-to-consumer BRCA reports