Anne Wojcicki, co-founder of DNA-testing company 23andMe, is set to regain control of the company after her nonprofit, TTAM Research Institute, won a bankruptcy auction. TTAM, a California-based public benefit corporation led by Wojcicki, placed the highest bid at $305 million, surpassing Regeneron Pharmaceuticals’ $256 million offer. The deal includes 23andMe’s core assets such as the Personal Genome Service, Research Services, and Lemonaid Health. Once approved by the court, this agreement will override the previous acquisition plan with Regeneron.
Wojcicki Resigns to Reclaim 23andMe, Transforming It Into a Mission-Driven Nonprofit
Wojcicki, who founded 23andMe in 2006, resigned as CEO in March 2025 after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Her decision was strategic, aimed at positioning herself as an independent bidder during the restructuring process. In a public statement on X, she expressed her intention to support and bid for the company. Her leadership during the company’s inception and through its rise in the personal genomics space remains influential, as noted by board chairman Mark Jensen, who endorsed her renewed vision for the company.
Anne Wojcicki Reclaims 23andMe, Plans Nonprofit Revival Focused on Ethics and Public HealthWith TTAM’s acquisition, 23andMe will shift from a for-profit enterprise to a nonprofit organization. This move aligns with Wojcicki’s founding mission of democratizing access to genetic information and promoting health literacy. The transition aims to refocus the company’s efforts on public good rather than profit, and TTAM’s oversight is expected to prioritize ethical data use, scientific research, and educational initiatives over commercial interests.
TTAM Strengthens Privacy Policies, Commits to Ethical Genetic Data Use and Oversight
TTAM has agreed to implement robust privacy safeguards as part of the acquisition terms. The organization will honor 23andMe’s existing privacy policies, including the right for users to delete their data and opt out of research. Customers will be notified via email ahead of the deal’s closure, with clear instructions for managing their data preferences. Additionally, TTAM will not permit the sale or sharing of genetic data unless any future owner is a U.S.-based entity that adheres to similar privacy standards.
The agreement also includes the formation of a consumer privacy advisory board and annual reporting requirements to enhance accountability. TTAM will maintain the use of de-identified data for academic and nonprofit research while rejecting donations from certain countries.
To further protect customer security, TTAM is offering two years of free Experian identity theft monitoring. These steps underline a renewed commitment to ethical practices in genetic research and consumer privacy in the next phase of 23andMe’s journey.
