News Summary

In a shocking turn of events, genetic testing company 23andMe has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in St. Louis. This move comes amid serious data privacy concerns and a significant leadership change with CEO Anne Wojcicki resigning. The company is looking to stabilize its finances after its valuation dropped from $6 billion to $50 million. With substantial job cuts and looming legal issues, the future of 23andMe remains uncertain as it navigates these turbulent waters.

St. Louis in Shock: 23andMe Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Big news has hit St. Louis! The genetic testing company 23andMe made waves last Sunday night by filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Missouri federal court. This bold move comes on the heels of serious concerns swirling around data privacy and some major shifts in leadership.

What’s Happening with 23andMe?

The company is gearing up to sell itself through a plan that will be supervised by the court. This appears to be part of a larger strategy to stabilize its finances after some recent challenging times. Once valued at a staggering $6 billion, 23andMe’s current worth has plummeted to about $50 million. Yes, you read that right—what a dramatic drop!

Shake-Up at the Top

In another twist, Anne Wojcicki, the co-founder and CEO, has resigned immediately but will still stay on as a board member. A big change, indeed! Stepping in as the interim CEO is Joe Selsavage, the company’s Chief Financial Officer. Wojcicki’s exit may allow her to pursue the possibility of acquiring the company herself, which adds another layer of intrigue to this unfolding story.

Job Cuts and Financial Hurdles

It’s been a rough road for 23andMe, which had to cut 40% of its workforce—that’s over 200 employees! This was back in November 2024, and it marked a significant step as the company tried to trim down its operations amidst rising costs and declining revenues.

Funding to Keep Things Afloat

To navigate through this tough time, 23andMe has secured a $35 million debtor-in-possession funding commitment. This financial lifeline will help the company continue its operations while the bankruptcy court oversees the sale process. When it comes to assets and liabilities, they are estimated to be between $100 million and $500 million each—a hefty sum that definitely grabs attention!

Consumer Concerns on Data Privacy

Meanwhile, consumer data privacy has been a hot topic lately. California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, issued a consumer alert regarding the way 23andMe has been handling sensitive data. Customers have the right to request deletion of their genetic data and even the destruction of any samples they provided. 23andMe has reassured customers that there will be no changes to how they safeguard, store, or manage customer data during this bankruptcy process.

Data Breaches and Legal Troubles

This is particularly important given the company’s less-than-stellar record on data security. Earlier this year, 23andMe faced scrutiny due to a data breach affecting around 6.9 million customers. In response to the breach, the company agreed to pay a hefty $30 million and provide three years of security monitoring for those affected by the unfortunate incident. Clearly, customer safety is on many minds.

A Look at 23andMe’s Stock

The financial woes have not been kind to 23andMe’s stock, which is currently trading at under $1. Following the recent bankruptcy filing, the stock has fallen even further, leading many to wonder what the future holds for this once-promising company.

Moving Forward

As 23andMe forges ahead through these choppy waters, they remain committed to protecting customer data, stating that data privacy will remain a priority throughout any potential transaction. While the company faces numerous challenges ahead, it is bravely navigating the uncertain road of bankruptcy for a possible glimmer of hope and stability.

Stay Tuned

St. Louis and the broader tech community will undoubtedly watch closely as 23andMe endeavors to pull itself out of this situation. As always, we’ll keep you updated with any new developments. For now, it looks like it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

St. Louis Reacts: 23andMe Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy