23andMe Launches Discover23 to Help Accelerate Large-Scale Genetics Research For Biopharma Collaborators, Powered By Lifebit's Trusted Technology
MWN-AI** Summary
23andMe Holding Co. has recently launched Discover23®, a groundbreaking research initiative designed to enhance large-scale genetics research for biopharma collaborators. This offering enables authorized partners to securely access and analyze a vast array of data from 23andMe's diverse research cohort, utilizing a Trusted Research Environment (TRE) developed in collaboration with Lifebit, a respected technology leader in biomedical data management.
Discover23 provides researchers with access to over 4.7 billion phenotypic data points and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) across 1,000+ disease cohorts, facilitating insights into 172 million genetic variants. Primarily aimed at biopharma companies, this platform will assist in identifying new disease biology, potential drug targets, and contribute genetic evidence for enhancing clinical success. Over 84% of 23andMe's 15 million customers have opted to participate in the research program, ensuring a robust dataset for analysis.
Anne Wojcicki, CEO and Co-Founder of 23andMe, expressed her enthusiasm about empowering biomedical experts with valuable insights to develop more effective treatments. Meanwhile, Lifebit's CEO, Dr. Maria Dunford, emphasized their commitment to providing a secure environment for researchers while ensuring data privacy.
The initiative addresses growing demands for innovative healthcare solutions through precision medicine by allowing analyses within controlled environments where participant identities are protected. Data usage is strictly limited to consenting individuals, overseen by a third-party Institutional Review Board to maintain ethical research standards.
Discover23 will be showcased at the JPM Healthcare Conference from January 13-16, 2025, with interested partners encouraged to learn more through 23andMe's dedicated platforms. This collaboration not only signifies a step forward for genetics research but also marks a pivotal moment for advancing drug development and patient care through data-driven insights.
MWN-AI** Analysis
23andMe's recent launch of Discover23 marks a significant strategic leap in the intersection of genetics and biopharmaceutical research. This innovative platform not only enhances 23andMe's position in the genetic testing market but also opens new avenues for revenue generation through collaborations with biopharmaceutical entities. Given the increasing reliance on genomics in drug development and precision medicine, the potential for Discover23 to cater to over 15 million consented users is substantial.
With access to an extensive dataset encompassing over 4.7 billion phenotypic data points and analysis-ready genome-wide association studies (GWAS), 23andMe provides biopharma collaborators an enriched environment to identify novel disease connections and potential therapeutic targets. The partnership with Lifebit adds a layer of confidence, ensuring robust data privacy and analytic capabilities, crucial aspects as healthcare data increasingly faces scrutiny over ethical handling.
From a market perspective, investors should consider several factors. The growing demand for genetic insights in drug discovery aligns well with 23andMe's capabilities, potentially enhancing its market valuation. The accelerated pace of precision medicine adoption could further stimulate demand for such research offerings, leading to increased partnerships and licensing opportunities.
However, prospective investors should remain cautious. While the potential for expanded revenue is promising, the company operates in a highly regulated climate, where any changes in data privacy laws or research participation consent could impact operations. Moreover, the competitive landscape includes established players in biopharma and genomics, demanding that 23andMe continues innovating and maintaining partnerships to secure its market position.
In conclusion, 23andMe's Discover23 initiative positions it favorably within the health tech ecosystem, yet investors should monitor legislative developments and competitive advancements closely as the company navigates this evolving space.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
SUNNYVALE, Calif. and LONDON, Jan. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 23andMe Holding Co. (Nasdaq: ME), a leading human genetics company, today announced the launch of Discover23®, a new research offering enabling authorized collaborators to securely access the power and diversity of the 23andMe research cohort through a Trusted Research Environment (TRE) developed by Lifebit, a technology company trusted by some of the world’s leading biomedical research organizations and governments.
Discover23 provides analysis-ready genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted on 1000+ disease and condition cohorts curated from 4.7B phenotypic data points by 23andMe’s expert scientists. Biopharma collaborators will be able to access summarized results of analyses conducted using data stripped of personal identifiers within 23andMe’s TRE, where authorized researchers are provided with highly secure, isolated workspaces to leverage 23andMe research findings while ensuring the protection of participant privacy.
Discover23 evaluates associations of over 172 million genetic variants across billions of phenotypic data points provided by consenting 23andMe research participants. Approximately 84 percent of the Company’s 15 million customers have opted in to participate in 23andMe’s Research program. Partners can use Discover23 to help identify novel disease biology, discover potential new drug targets, and add genetic evidence into research programs to boost clinical success.
“We are excited to empower experts at the frontier of biomedical research with access to insights and expertise with Discover23,” said Anne Wojcicki, CEO and Co-Founder of 23andMe. “We believe that giving external research partners access to these insights will have the potential to bring new and more effective treatments to the world.”
“At Lifebit, we share 23andMe’s commitment to empower researchers with the tools to drive innovative discoveries in drug development and precision medicine,” said Dr. Maria Dunford, CEO of Lifebit. “We recognize that healthcare data is highly sensitive. We are proud to partner with 23andMe to provide a secure, federated platform that allows researchers to analyze data where it resides, enhancing security, reducing risk, and supporting collaborative research in a controlled environment.”
For partners interested in previewing the breadth and depth of 23andMe’s analytical offerings, including Discover23, contact bd@23andMe.com . The 23andMe and Lifebit teams will be attending the JPM Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, January 13-16, 2025. Learn more about Discover23 and other partner solutions at https://partner.23andme.com .
Protecting Participant Privacy
23andMe has built strong privacy protections to enable its customers to be in control of their data. All customers have the option to consent to participate in the 23andMe Research program, which is overseen by a third party Institutional Review Board (IRB) to ensure research being conducted meets the highest ethical standards. Only data from customers who consent to participate in research is used for 23andMe Research, and for those that choose to opt-in, their information is stripped of personal identifiers for research activities, meaning participants’ personal identifiers such as name and contact details are stripped from their genetic and self-reported information, with the two sets of data stored separately. If a customer originally opted-in to participate in 23andMe’s Research program, they can easily withdraw at any time within their account settings.
About 23andMe
23andMe is a genetics-led consumer healthcare company empowering a healthier future. For more information, please visit investors.23andme.com.
About Lifebit
Lifebit is a global leader in genomics and health data and software, empowering organizations across the world to transform how they securely and safely leverage sensitive biomedical data. Lifebit is solving the most challenging problems in precision medicine, genomics and healthcare with a mission to create a world where access to biomedical data will never again be an obstacle to preventing and curing diseases. Learn more about Lifebit’s TRE here . www.lifebit.ai @lifebitAI
Contact Information
23andMe
Media: press@23andMe.com
Business Development: bd@23andMe.com
Investor Relations: investors@23andMe.com
Lifebit
Media: pr@lifebit.ai
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included or incorporated in this press release are forward-looking statements. The words "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "may," "could," "should," "potential," "likely," "projects," “predicts,” "continue," "will," “schedule,” and "would" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are predictions based on 23andMe’s current expectations and projections about future events and various assumptions. 23andMe cannot guarantee that it will actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in its forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on 23andMe’s forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (many of which are beyond the control of 23andMe), or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and as revised and updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The statements made herein are made as of the date of this press release and, except as may be required by law, 23andMe undertakes no obligation to update them, whether as a result of new information, developments, or otherwise.
FAQ**
How does 23andMe Holding Co. ME's new Discover23® research offering enhance collaboration with biopharma partners in the context of human genomics, especially for researchers based in Sunnyvale, California?
In what ways does the security framework developed by Lifebit for 23andMe Holding Co. ME's Trusted Research Environment (TRE) ensure participant privacy, particularly for studies involving sensitive data in London?
What potential impact could the insights provided by Discover2from 23andMe Holding Co. ME have on drug development initiatives, especially for biopharma companies based in both Sunnyvale, California, and London?
How does 23andMe Holding Co. ME's approach to customer consent and data privacy align with the growing European regulations on data protection, and what implications does this have for their operations in London?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about 23andMe Holding Co. (NASDAQ: ME).
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