Regeneron Acquires 23andMe for $256 Million in Bankruptcy Auction
Biotech giant Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has announced plans to acquire genetic testing firm 23andMe for $256 million, following the company’s bankruptcy proceedings. The deal was confirmed on Monday and is expected to be finalized in the third quarter of 2025.
The acquisition comes after 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March amid falling demand for its ancestry DNA kits and the fallout from a 2023 data breach that compromised millions of customers’ sensitive genetic information. The firm has collected data from approximately 15 million users through its at-home saliva-based DNA testing kits.
As part of the agreement, Regeneron will assume control of all of 23andMe’s business units, excluding Lemonaid Health, the company’s telehealth service, which is slated for closure.
Regeneron emphasized that it will adhere to 23andMe’s existing privacy commitments and comply with all applicable data protection laws. The pharmaceutical company also confirmed its willingness to disclose its data usage plans to a court-appointed official overseeing the transaction.
Concerns about the sale of personal genetic information had previously drawn the attention of lawmakers, prompting 23andMe to agree to the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee how customer data is handled throughout the bankruptcy process.
Once the acquisition is complete, 23andMe will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Regeneron, either directly or through an affiliated entity.
The move marks a significant step for Regeneron into the consumer genetics space and could potentially enhance its research and development capabilities by leveraging 23andMe’s vast genetic database – though the company has reiterated that any use of the data will be strictly governed by privacy protections.
