Audio By Carbonatix
The struggling genetic testing company 23andMe says it will cut 40% of its workforce, or 200 jobs, as it fights for survival.
The once-popular DNA-testing site will also halt work on therapies it was developing.
Last year, the company said hackers had managed to gain access to the personal information of millions of its users.
23andMe's share price has fallen by more than 70% this year, as its co-founder and chief executive Anne Wojcicki tries to turn the business around.
The company said it expects to incur one-off costs of $12m (£9.3m), including severance pay, for the plan that will result in savings of $35m.
"We are taking these difficult but necessary actions as we restructure 23andMe and focus on the long-term success of our core consumer business and research partnerships," Ms Wojcicki said.
The company also said it is considering what to do with the therapies it had in development, including licensing or selling them.
23andMe is a giant of the growing ancestor-tracing industry. It offers genetic testing from DNA, with ancestry breakdown and personalised health insights.
In December last year, 23andMe confirmed that hackers had accessed details of about 6.9 million of its users.
In some cases this included family trees, birth years and geographic locations, the company said. But the stolen data did not include DNA records, it said.
Its customers included famous names, from rapper Snoop Dogg to multi-billionaire investor Warren Buffett.
Latest Stories
-
2025/26 GPL: Simba Sylvester Brace Powers Basake Holy Stars Past Samatex
17 minutes -
Ghanaian students at UK universities face deportation amid funding crisis
18 minutes -
Ghana places 18th in Africa as most developed country; makes little progress in Human Development Index
22 minutes -
Restoring Ghana’s Wetlands: Prudential Life leads mangrove restoration in Ada area
43 minutes -
2025/26 GPL: Apostles hold firm to beat Karela United 2-1
1 hour -
Ghana’s Ambassador to US assures GFA of Embassy support for 2026 World Cup participation
1 hour -
Fitch Solutions warns Ghana against downside risks to economic growth, Islamist insurgency
1 hour -
Esports Federation Phygital Basketball team to make history in Abu Dhabi
1 hour -
Cedi to weaken by 8% against US dollar in 2026
2 hours -
Joe Mettle, Kwame Eugene and Kofi Kinaata thrill patrons at MTN Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
2 hours -
I changed Rhythms of Africa’25 date to honour Daddy Lumba’s funeral – Sonnie Badu
3 hours -
KiDi gears up for another historic night at ‘Likor On The Beach’ 2025
3 hours -
17 arrested as IGP special operations team intensifies crime raids in Northern Region
3 hours -
Bright Simons: Is Bank of Ghana’s “Islamic Banking” rebrand too clever by half?
3 hours -
Mahama celebrates Kenya at 62nd Jamhuri Day, calling for stronger African unity
3 hours
