Ever puzzled what your genetic blueprint is value on the open market? Seems it’s in regards to the value of a gasoline station espresso. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals simply scooped up 23andMe and its treasure trove of 15 million buyer DNA profiles for a cut price basement $256 million – which works out to roughly $2.56 per genetic profile (although the deal consists of different property like analysis infrastructure and expertise).
The hearth sale comes after 23andMe’s spectacular fall from a $6 billion valuation to chapter courtroom quicker than you’ll be able to say “spit on this tube.” As soon as the darling of the direct-to-consumer genetics world, 23andMe filed for chapter in March 2025, following a devastating 2023 data breach and an more and more skeptical buyer base who weren’t precisely thrilled about paying to develop into analysis topics.
From Spit Kits to Drug Discovery
If you happen to’re one of many 15 million individuals who despatched your saliva to 23andMe hoping to find distant relations or whether or not you’re actually 2% Scandinavian, congratulations – your genetic code now has a new company landlord. Regeneron, a biotech heavyweight with a observe file of turning genetic insights into blockbuster medication, clearly sees gold in these databases.
The acquisition follows the traditional Silicon Valley playbook: gather plenty of private information first, work out how you can monetize it later. Besides on this case, the “later” includes growing doubtlessly life-saving medicines – which is admittedly extra noble than serving you focused adverts for weighted blankets.
Dr. George Yancopoulos, Regeneron’s Chief Scientific Officer, frames the purchase as a win-win: “We consider we can assist 23andMe ship and construct upon its mission to assist these curious about studying about their very own DNA.” For my part, this interprets to: We’ll preserve the patron enterprise working so we are able to proceed amassing extra genetic information for our drug discovery pipeline.
Your genetic privateness issues aren’t being completely ignored. The chapter courtroom has appointed an unbiased privateness ombudsman to supervise the transition. Their report is due June 10, with courtroom assessment scheduled for June 17. However with no complete federal genetic privateness regulation within the U.S., your DNA’s safety largely is dependent upon company guarantees and patchwork rules.
The Digital You, Now Beneath New Administration
Caught within the rain of a information breach final yr? Your genetic profile is now being transferred to a brand new proprietor. This could increase questions in regards to the nature of private information possession that go far past typical privateness discussions.
Your DNA isn’t simply one other information level – it’s actually the blueprint of who you’re. And now it’s being bought in chapter courtroom for lower than the value of a flowery latte. If that doesn’t make you query the discount you made once you checked that phrases of service field, nothing will.
Regeneron has pledged to honor 23andMe’s existing privacy insurance policies and permit prospects to request information deletion. However as we’ve seen numerous occasions in tech acquisitions, right this moment’s guarantees usually develop into tomorrow’s “up to date phrases of service.”
The deal is predicted to shut within the third quarter of 2025. Within the meantime, 23andMe prospects would possibly need to learn these privateness insurance policies they seemingly skipped previous years in the past. Your genetic code simply obtained a brand new company residence – whether or not or not you anticipated this particular state of affairs once you first spit in that tube.
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