Is Regeneron’s Acquisition of 23andMe a Turning Point for Consumer Genomics?

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has agreed to acquire the bankrupt genetic testing company 23andMe for 256 million dollars, signaling a significant shift in the consumer genomics landscape. The deal, finalized through a court-supervised auction, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approvals.

Under the agreement, Regeneron will acquire 23andMe’s core assets, including its Personal Genome Service, Total Health and Research Services, and a biobank containing genetic data from over 15 million users. Notably, the acquisition excludes 23andMe’s telehealth subsidiary, Lemonaid Health, which is set to be discontinued. 

The acquisition comes after 23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025, following a decline in consumer demand and a significant data breach in 2023 that compromised sensitive genetic information of millions of customers. 

Regeneron has pledged to uphold 23andMe’s existing privacy policies and comply with all applicable data protection laws. To address privacy concerns, a court-appointed independent overseer will assess the implications of the deal for consumer privacy, with findings to be reviewed by the court on June 17. 

This acquisition marks a pivotal moment in the integration of consumer genetic data into pharmaceutical research, potentially accelerating the development of personalized medicine. However, it also raises important questions about data privacy and the ethical use of genetic information.

For more details, you can read the full articles here:

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/regeneron-buy-bankrupt-genetic-testing-firm-23andme-256-million-2025-05-19/

https://www.ft.com/content/362bcad4-8f4a-42b4-ab86-38821d74352f

https://www.nypost.com/2025/05/19/business/regeneron-pharmaceuticals-to-buy-23andme-and-its-genetic-data-for-256-million/