Aggregated News

Untitled Document

As I reported earlier, 23andMe today announced its intention to pursue pharmaceutical R&D, in addition to its business selling direct-to-consumer genetic test kits. To lead its new drug research group, it has tapped Richard Scheller, the longtime head of research at Genentech and a distinguished neuroscientist.

Scheller wasn’t available to talk today, but after posting my earlier story, I had a conversation with 23andMe president Andy Page, who joined the company in 2013 after working for many years in Internet commerce and finance. Page filled in more details and gave updates on other facets of the company’s business.

A few quick bullet points:

—23andMe will continue its direct to consumer business.

—23andMe will raise capital soon to finance the new drug group.

—Scheller’s group could grow to roughly 15 people by year’s end.

—Most of the work this year will focus on data analysis, not “wet lab” work.

—Scheller will be in charge of pipeline and partnering decisions for the drug programs.

—23andMe does not gather health information through wearable devices, nor does it have near-term plans...