23andMe Launches Discover23 to Help Accelerate Large-Scale Genetics Research For Biopharma Collaborators, Powered By Lifebit’s Trusted Technology

Rhea-AI Summary

23andMe (Nasdaq: ME) has launched Discover23, a new research platform enabling authorized collaborators to securely access the company's vast genetic research data through a Trusted Research Environment (TRE) developed by Lifebit. The platform provides analysis-ready genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on over 1,000 disease and condition cohorts, leveraging 4.7B phenotypic data points.

The platform evaluates associations of 172 million genetic variants using data from consenting research participants, representing 84% of the company's 15 million customers. Discover23 aims to help identify novel disease biology, discover potential drug targets, and enhance clinical trial success rates. The platform ensures participant privacy by stripping personal identifiers and providing isolated workspaces for authorized researchers.

Positive

• Large research database with 4.7B phenotypic data points and 172M genetic variants
• High customer participation rate (84% of 15M customers) in research program
• New revenue stream potential through biopharma collaborations
• Enhanced data security through Lifebit's Trusted Research Environment

Negative

• None.

Insights

Data Science & AI Expert

The launch of Discover23 represents a significant advancement in genetic research accessibility. The platform leverages an impressive 4.7B phenotypic data points and analyzes 172 million genetic variants from a vast research cohort of which 84% of 15 million customers have consented to participate. This scale of data is unprecedented in commercial genomics research. The implementation of Lifebit's Trusted Research Environment addresses critical data security concerns while enabling collaborative research - a important balance in modern genomics. The platform's focus on analysis-ready GWAS across 1000+ disease cohorts significantly reduces the time-to-insight for pharmaceutical research, potentially accelerating drug development timelines.

Biotech Research Analyst

This strategic move positions 23andMe to better monetize its vast genetic database through biopharma partnerships. The platform's ability to identify novel disease biology and drug targets while maintaining privacy compliance could significantly enhance the company's value proposition in the competitive biotech space. The timing aligns with industry trends toward data-driven drug discovery, where genetic validation can potentially increase clinical trial success rates and reduce development costs. The announcement at JPM Healthcare Conference, a premier industry event, suggests confidence in the platform's commercial potential. However, actual revenue impact will depend on partner adoption rates and successful commercialization of resulting discoveries.

Privacy & Security Expert

The implementation of a Trusted Research Environment with isolated workspaces demonstrates robust privacy architecture. The dual-layer protection - stripping personal identifiers and separating storage of genetic and personal data - aligns with best practices in genetic data protection. The opt-in model with easy withdrawal options and IRB oversight provides essential ethical safeguards. This infrastructure could help attract risk-averse pharmaceutical partners who might have previously hesitated due to data privacy concerns. The federated analysis approach, where data remains in place, represents a modern solution to the challenge of securing sensitive genetic information while enabling collaborative research.

23andMe is helping collaborators better understand disease biology, identify novel targets, boost clinical trial success, and engage people in their care

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

What is 23andMe's Discover23 platform and when was it launched?

Discover23 is a research platform launched by 23andMe (ME) on January 8, 2025, that provides biopharma collaborators secure access to genetic research data through a Trusted Research Environment developed by Lifebit.

How many genetic variants and phenotypic data points does Discover23 analyze?

Discover23 evaluates associations of over 172 million genetic variants across 4.7 billion phenotypic data points provided by consenting 23andMe research participants.

What percentage of 23andMe customers participate in the research program?

Approximately 84% of 23andMe's 15 million customers have opted in to participate in the company's research program.

How does Discover23 protect participant privacy?

Discover23 protects privacy by stripping personal identifiers from genetic and self-reported information, storing data separately, and providing isolated workspaces for authorized researchers in a Trusted Research Environment.

What are the main applications of Discover23 for biopharma partners?

Biopharma partners can use Discover23 to identify novel disease biology, discover potential new drug targets, and add genetic evidence to research programs to boost clinical trial success.