23andMe

Corporate brand

A personal genomics company offering direct-to-consumer DNA testing, ancestry tools, genetic-relative matching, and selected health-related genetic reports.

Last updated October 20, 2026

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Overview

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.

History

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.

2025
Chapter 11 filing and TTAM acquisition
[1]23andMeen.wikipedia.org
23andMe files for bankruptcy and later transfers substantially all assets to TTAM Research Institute.
2021
Public listing and Lemonaid acquisition
[1]23andMeen.wikipedia.org
The company completes its SPAC merger and acquires Lemonaid Health.
2018
GSK research partnership
[1]23andMeen.wikipedia.org
23andMe announces a data and drug-development partnership with GlaxoSmithKline.
2015
Selected health reporting returns in the US
[1]23andMeen.wikipedia.org
FDA clearance allows the company to resume specified carrier-status and related reports.
2013
US health-report suspension
[1]23andMeen.wikipedia.org
Following FDA action, new US customers lose access to health-related reports while regulatory review proceeds.
2008
Product receives major popular recognition
[1]23andMeen.wikipedia.org
Time names the saliva-based genetic testing product its Invention of the Year.
2007
Consumer saliva testing launches
[1]23andMeen.wikipedia.org
23andMe begins offering direct-to-consumer genotyping using saliva samples.
2006
23andMe is founded
[1]23andMeen.wikipedia.org
Anne Wojcicki, Linda Avey, and Paul Cusenza establish the personal genomics company in the United States.

Products and positioning

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

Consumer genetic testing · 2007
Personal Genome Service
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 analysis · 2007
Ancestry Service
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.
Consumer genetic testing
Health + Ancestry
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.
Genetic-relative matching
DNA Relatives
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.
Subscription service · 2020
23andMe+
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.
Telehealth
Lemonaid Health
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.

Controversies

2026
California settles data breach claims against 23andMe
California announced a US$6 million settlement payment in 23andMe's bankruptcy, resolving the state's legal claims related to a 2023 data breach that exposed customers' genetic and other personal information. California also agreed to drop further appeals over the asset sale as part of the settlement.
Source
2025
Privacy concerns during bankruptcy
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.
Source
2019
Celmatix sues 23andMe over research contract
Celmatix sued 23andMe, seeking over $100 million in damages. The lawsuit alleges that 23andMe breached a research contract and caused Celmatix financial setbacks. The source gives conflicting filing days, so the publication date is used.
Source

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.
Source
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.
Source
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.
Source

Brand decisions

2025
File for Chapter 11 and sell assetsOther
Background
The company disclosed liquidity needs and faced declining valuation, continuing losses, governance conflict, and strategic uncertainty.
Action taken
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)
Source
2021
Merge with VG Acquisition Corp.M&A
Background
23andMe sought public-market access and additional capital through a special-purpose acquisition company transaction.
Action taken
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)
Source
2021
Acquire Lemonaid HealthM&A
Background
23andMe sought to expand from genetic information services into consumer healthcare and telehealth.
Action taken
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)
Source
2013
Suspend US health-related reportingOther
Background
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.
Action taken
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.
Source

Recent events

2026-10-19
California settles data breach claims against 23andMe[3]California settles data breach claims against 23andMelivemint.com
Reported: 2026-10-19
California announced a US$6 million settlement payment in 23andMe’s bankruptcy, resolving the state’s legal claims related to a 2023 data breach that exposed customers’ genetic and other personal information. California also agreed to drop further appeals over the asset sale as part of the settlement.
2020-12-29
23andMe raises $82.5 million in funding[5]23andMe筹集8250万美元资金finance.yahoo.com
Reported: 2020-12-29
23andMe raised nearly $82.5 million through an offering of equity shares, according to an SEC filing; investors included Sequoia Capital and NewView Capital.
2020-01-23
23andMe announced layoffs[6]23andMe宣布裁员finance.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2020-01-24
23andMe announced that it would lay off about 100 employees, or 14% of its workforce, citing declining sales.
2019-12-10
Celmatix sues 23andMe over research contract[4]Celmatix sues 23andMe over research contractcnbc.com
Reported: 2019-12-10
Celmatix sued 23andMe, seeking over $100 million in damages. The lawsuit alleges that 23andMe breached a research contract and caused Celmatix financial setbacks. The source gives conflicting filing days, so the publication date is used.
Unconfirmed
23andMe and TrialSpark partner on clinical trial recruitment[7]23andMe与TrialSpark合作招募临床试验参与者businessinsider.com
Reported: 2019-09-30
23andMe and TrialSpark entered a deal to use 23andMe users who opted in to research to identify candidates for local clinical studies contracted by TrialSpark.

Sources11 sources

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