Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has agreed to buy bankrupt genomics firm 23andMe Holding for $256 million. The deal prioritizes the ethical use of customer DNA data from ancestry testing and other services. Regeneron aims to bolster its capabilities in genomics-driven drug discovery by integrating 23andMe’s vast collection of over 15 million customer DNA profiles.
The acquisition comes after a decline in consumer demand and a 2023 data breach that exposed sensitive genetic and personal information of millions of customers. A nonprofit research institute founded by 23andMe’s former CEO submitted the second-highest bid, but Regeneron won the deal.
Regeneron has vowed to uphold 23andMe’s existing privacy policies and comply with applicable data protection laws. The company will also work transparently with a court-appointed independent overseer to assess the implications of the deal for consumer privacy.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/regeneron-buy-bankrupt-genetic-testing-firm-23andme-256-million-2025-05-19