In a bold move that could reshape the future of personalized medicine, U.S.-based biotech giant Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has agreed to acquire the assets of embattled genetic testing firm 23andMe for $256 million.
The deal, confirmed on Monday, follows a court-supervised bankruptcy auction and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, pending regulatory and judicial approvals.
A Data Goldmine for Regeneron
The acquisition grants Regeneron access to one of the world’s largest private genetic databases, representing DNA data from over 15 million individuals.
The deal includes 23andMe’s Personal Genome Service, its research division, and its Total Health offering—tools that have played a pivotal role in consumer genomics and health insights.
“This acquisition represents a strategic leap forward in our commitment to advancing precision medicine,” said a Regeneron spokesperson.
“The scale and depth of 23andMe’s genomic repository will significantly accelerate our drug discovery and development efforts.”
What’s Not Included
Excluded from the sale is Lemonaid Health, 23andMe’s telehealth arm, which will be wound down as part of the bankruptcy proceedings.
Regeneron has made it clear that its interest lies squarely in 23andMe’s genomic assets and the scientific potential locked within its research pipeline.
Data Privacy Front and Center
The sensitive nature of genetic information has sparked public concern, especially after 23andMe suffered a massive data breach in 2023, exposing millions of user profiles.
In light of these concerns, Regeneron has pledged to honor 23andMe’s existing data privacy policies and maintain transparency.
A court-appointed privacy ombudsman is currently reviewing the implications of the sale, with a report expected by June 10. A final court decision is scheduled for June 17.
“Customer trust is paramount,” Regeneron said in a statement. “We are committed to safeguarding genetic data with the highest standards of security and compliance.”
From Consumer Health to Biotech Powerhouse
23andMe, once a poster child for the consumer health-tech boom, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025 after struggling with declining sales and the fallout from its 2023 breach.
The company’s inability to pivot effectively from consumer testing to broader healthcare offerings ultimately led to its collapse.
Now, its prized assets are poised to fuel Regeneron’s push into more personalized, gene-based therapies—marking a significant pivot from direct-to-consumer services to enterprise-scale biomedical research.
What This Means for the Industry
Industry analysts believe this acquisition could signal a shift in how biotech firms value and utilize consumer-generated data.
“This is more than just a distressed asset sale,” said biotech analyst Dr. Michelle Tan. “It’s a strategic play that may redefine the genomics landscape by pairing a deep biobank with Regeneron’s drug discovery engine.”
As the deal moves toward final approval, attention will focus on how Regeneron integrates 23andMe’s data troves into its R&D ecosystem—and whether it can regain the trust of millions of consumers whose DNA now rests in corporate hands.
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