23andMe (and Your Genetic Data) Sold to Regeneron in Bankruptcy Auction

Genetic testing company 23andMe isn’t going away, despite declaring bankruptcy. The company and nearly all of its assets, including its biobank of customer genetic samples, have been purchased by American biotechnology company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals for a cool $256 million, the highest bid submitted in the once-hot startup’s bankruptcy auction. The purchase, announced Monday, will place 23andMe’s brand as well as its Personal Genome Service (PGS), Total Health, and Research Services under the control of New York-based Regeneron. It’ll also continue to operate the company’s consumer-facing genome services without interruption, meaning you can still buy those DNA-testing kits off the shelves of big-box retailers to learn about your family history and health. Of all of the potential landing spots for 23andMe—and, more importantly, the data of more than 15 million people who have submitted genetic samples to the company—Regeneron is one of the softer options available. There was legit ... Read full article.