15M DNA Profiles SOLD – Customers WARNED to Delete

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is set to acquire bankrupt DNA testing company 23andMe for $256 million, sparking concerns as the deal transfers the genetic profiles of 15 million Americans to new corporate ownership.

At a Glance

  • Regeneron Pharmaceuticals plans to acquire bankrupt 23andMe for $256 million, gaining access to genetic data from over 15 million customers
  • 23andMe’s value plummeted from $6 billion to filing for bankruptcy in March 2025, partly due to a costly data breach settlement
  • Regeneron promises to maintain privacy policies and respect original consent terms for customer data
  • California Attorney General Rob Bonta has advised 23andMe customers to delete their data and request sample destruction
  • The acquisition requires bankruptcy court and regulatory approval, with expected completion in the third quarter of 2025

From Silicon Valley Star to Bankruptcy

Once a darling of Silicon Valley valued at over $6 billion, 23andMe’s fortunes have drastically reversed with the company now being acquired for just $256 million following its bankruptcy filing in March 2025. The dramatic devaluation came after the company struggled to generate recurring revenue from its DNA testing services and suffered reputational damage from a significant data breach. This security incident ultimately led to a $30 million settlement that contributed to the company’s financial downfall, reducing its valuation to approximately $50 million before the acquisition announcement.

The company’s troubles extended beyond financial challenges when co-founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki stepped down following reported disputes with the board of directors. In an unprecedented move, all seven independent board members subsequently resigned, leaving the once-pioneering genetic testing company in disarray. These leadership issues compounded existing challenges in a market that had become increasingly competitive and subject to growing privacy concerns.

The Deal and Its Privacy Implications

Regeneron’s acquisition includes “substantially all of the assets” of 23andMe, encompassing its Personal Genome Service, Total Health and Research Services, and its valuable biobank containing genetic information from millions of Americans. While Regeneron plans to continue offering consumer DNA testing services, the transfer of such sensitive genetic information has raised significant privacy concerns. The pharmaceutical company will gain control over one of the world’s largest private genetic databases, containing detailed DNA profiles that customers originally shared under different ownership. 

In response to mounting privacy concerns, Regeneron has publicly committed to adhering to 23andMe’s existing consumer privacy policies and all relevant data protection laws. The company has further stated it is open to oversight by a court-appointed ombudsman and other parties regarding its use of customer data. Additionally, Regeneron has assured the public that personal data will not be used for research without explicit consent and will respect the original purposes for which it was shared with 23andMe. 

Consumer Protection and Regulatory Oversight

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has taken a proactive stance in protecting consumers affected by this transaction. He has advised 23andMe customers concerned about their genetic privacy to take immediate action by deleting their data from the company’s systems and requesting the destruction of any stored biological samples. This recommendation comes at a critical time as the ownership and control of highly sensitive personal genetic information transitions to Regeneron, a pharmaceutical company with different business objectives than the original testing service.

The sale is subject to approval by a bankruptcy court and various regulatory agencies, with the companies expecting to close the transaction in the third quarter of 2025. During this period, regulatory authorities will likely scrutinize the privacy implications and data security measures proposed by Regeneron. The outcome of this review process will determine what additional protections might be required to safeguard the genetic information of millions of customers who originally submitted their DNA for ancestry and health insights rather than pharmaceutical research.

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