Court Greenlights Anne Wojcicki’s $305M 23andMe Acquisition Amidst Privacy Concerns

A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge has approved Anne Wojcicki’s nonprofit, TTAM Research Institute, to acquire genetic testing firm 23andMe for $305 million, marking a significant step in the company’s emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The transaction, set to finalize in the coming weeks, sees Wojcicki, 23andMe’s co-founder, regain control of the company she started nearly two decades ago.

The ruling by Judge Brian C. Walsh on Friday concludes a months-long bidding war, with TTAM Research Institute topping a previous $256 million offer from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. The deal includes 23andMe’s core Personal Genome Service, research operations, and its Lemonaid Health telehealth subsidiary.

Despite the court’s approval, significant privacy concerns regarding customer genetic data persist. Several states, including California, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah, remain actively opposed to the sale, citing worries about the handling of sensitive personal information. California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office stated on Monday that the sale “does not comply” with state genetic privacy law and is evaluating next steps.

Wojcicki has affirmed TTAM’s commitment to honor existing privacy policies, including allowing users to delete data and opt out of research. All 13 million customers will receive detailed notifications about these commitments and instructions on data management before the acquisition closes, along with an offer of two years of free Experian identity theft monitoring. Wojcicki emphasized her belief that “individuals should be empowered to have choice and transparency with respect to their genetic data.”

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