Anne Wojcicki's Bid to Buy Back 23andMe Doesn't End Legal Fight Over DNA Data

Anne Wojcicki's bid to buy back 23andMe may not end the fight over DNA customer data, as the sensitivity of the data raises concerns about its handling. Although TTAM Research Institute, controlled by Wojcicki, has outbid Regeneron to acquire the company, the bankruptcy judge's approval is required, and consumer watchdogs have expressed concerns about the potential transfer of sensitive data. The nonprofit status of TTAM could potentially create a "privacy and security enforcement and accountability vacuum."

Anne Wojcicki's bid to reclaim control of 23andMe through her nonprofit, TTAM Research Institute, has drawn significant attention. The acquisition, valued at $305 million, outbid Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' $256 million offer, securing the rights to 23andMe's key business lines, including the Personal Genome Service, Research Services, and Lemonaid Health [1][2].

The transaction, which awaits approval from the Bankruptcy Court, is set to close in the coming weeks. Wojcicki, who co-founded 23andMe and previously served as its CEO, has pledged to honor existing customer data rights and implement additional safeguards to protect privacy [2]. However, consumer watchdogs and privacy advocates have raised concerns about the potential transfer of sensitive genetic data.

The nonprofit status of TTAM Research Institute could potentially create a "privacy and security enforcement and accountability vacuum," according to critics. They argue that nonprofits may not be subject to the same regulatory scrutiny as for-profit companies, potentially leading to lax data handling practices [3].

The sensitivity of the data raises concerns about its handling, especially given 23andMe's history of data breaches. In 2023, a breach exposed information from nearly 7 million users, resulting in a $30 million settlement [3]. Several states have sued over the sale, or filed objections in bankruptcy court, further complicating the process [3].

Despite these concerns, 23andMe's board expressed satisfaction with the competitive bidding process, stating that it resulted in significantly more value to stakeholders while enhancing critical protections around customer privacy [1][2].

The acquisition marks a significant shift for 23andMe, transitioning it from a public company to a nonprofit entity under Wojcicki's continued vision. However, the fight over DNA customer data may not be over, as the bankruptcy judge's approval is still pending, and privacy concerns remain [4].

References:
[1] https://www.gurufocus.com/news/2927008/23andme-reaches-agreement-for-sale-of-business-to-ttam-research-institute-following-final-round-of-bidding-in-courtapproved-sale-process-mehcq-stock-news
[2] https://athletechnews.com/305m-power-play-anne-wojcicki-outbids-regeneron-for-23andme/
[3] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-13/23andme-co-founder-former-ceo-wins-auction-for-genetic-data
[4] https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/anne-wojcicki-buy-back-23andme-data-305-million-rcna212927