23andMe, Inc. — whose namesake stems from the fact there are 23 pairs of chromosomes in a wildtype human cell — got its start in 2006 to offer genetic testing and received a $3.9 billion investment from Google in 2007, at which time it became the 1st company to offer autosomal DNA testing for ancestry. In 2008, its saliva-based, direct-to-consumer genetic testing business was named “Invention of the Year” by Time Magazine. The Sunnyvale, California-based, personal genomics and biotechnology company produces reports about customer ancestry and is the only company with multiple FDA authorizations for genetic health risk reports.
23andMe went public in June 2021 and was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of its “2021 Best-Led Companies.” The company has delivered over 12 Million DNA kits, has created the world’s largest crowdsourced platform for genetic research, with 80% of its customers electing to participate. 23andMe research has generated over 180 publications on the genetic underpinnings of a wide range of diseases, conditions, and traits, including late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, celiac disease, hereditary thrombophilia, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, early-onset of dystonia, factor XI deficiency and Gaucher’s disease. The platform also powers the 23andMe Therapeutics group which is pursuing drug discovery programs rooted in human genetics across oncology, respiratory, and cardiovascular diseases, among other therapeutic areas.