A New Chapter for 23andMe: What's Next for Your Genetic Data?

A big change is happening for 23andMe. A court just gave the green light for the company to be sold to a nonprofit group. This group is led by Anne Wojcicki, who used to be the CEO. The sale is worth $305 million. This is not the first time 23andMe has been up for sale. Earlier, there was a $256 million offer from a pharmaceutical company, but that didn't go through. The nonprofit buying 23andMe is called TTAM Research Institute. They promise to keep customer privacy safe and even add more security. This is important because many people were worried about their genetic data after 23andMe filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. The company has about 15 million customers, so this is a big deal. Wojcicki says TTAM wants to use 23andMe for the public good. She wants people to have control over their genetic data and learn about their health and ancestry. The sale also includes Lemonaid Health, a telemedicine service that 23andMe bought in 2021. 23andMe has had a rough time lately. They faced a data breach lawsuit and had some big changes in their leadership. The company started in 2006 and was one of the first to offer genetic testing to consumers. But they struggled to make the business work. Now, with this sale, things might change. The court approved the sale on Monday. The deal should be finalized soon. All customers will get an email about the sale before it's done. This is a big moment for 23andMe and its customers. Only time will tell what comes next.