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Volume 01: Friendlier Hands

Volume 01: Friendlier Hands

Cam Walker
June 17, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes

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📰 Anne Wojcicki Outbids Big Pharma to Reclaim Her Genetic Testing Company

Former CEO's nonprofit tops Regeneron's $256M offer with $305M bid to keep consumer data in friendlier hands

Anne Wojcicki just pulled off one of the most unusual corporate comebacks in biotech history. The 23andMe co-founder's nonprofit TTAM Research Institute won a bankruptcy auction for her former company, beating pharmaceutical giant Regeneron's $256 million bid with a $305 million offer.

The move blocks what many saw as a concerning scenario for millions of health-conscious consumers. Regeneron's acquisition would have handed one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies access to genetic data from over 14 million people who submitted DNA samples for ancestry and health insights.

Wojcicki stepped down as CEO in March to position herself as an independent bidder after 23andMe filed for bankruptcy following a 2023 cyberattack and related lawsuits. Her nonprofit reopened bidding this month when Regeneron appeared set to win.

The genetic testing space faces mounting trust issues. Since 23andMe's bankruptcy filing, 15 percent of customers have requested data deletion, signaling deep consumer anxiety about how their most personal biological information might be used.

"I am thrilled that TTAM Research Institute will be able to continue the mission of 23andMe to help people access, understand and benefit from the human genome," Wojcicki said.

The deal still faces legal challenges. Twenty-eight state attorney generals are suing to block any sale, arguing genetic data cannot be auctioned without explicit customer consent.

This fight represents a broader tension in health tech between consumer privacy and pharmaceutical research ambitions. Wojcicki's victory suggests genetic data guardianship may increasingly favor patient-focused nonprofits over profit-driven corporations.

💰 Money Talks

Follow the money

Marc Lores $7 billion food startup
Lumen rasies $77 million funding round
Eli Health raises $12 million in Series A funding
Arketa raises $15 million for boutique fitness studios
BloodGPT has raised $1 million at a $10 million valuation
Strider Fitness raises $5 million for elliptical cross trainer
Tiger Finance gives $35 million in funding to The Beachbody Co.
Magic Valley raises $3 million to help fund first manufacturing facility
LyreBird Health raises $12 million to improve its AI-powered tool and expand internationally

📰 David Protein Hit With Monopoly Lawsuit Over Fat Replacement Ingredient

Competitors claim $85M-funded startup cornered entire supply of EPG, a calorie-cutting ingredient 18 years in development

David Protein faces federal antitrust charges after competitors accused the buzzy startup of orchestrating a calculated scheme to monopolize access to a revolutionary fat replacement ingredient. Three food companies filed suit in New York federal court alleging the protein bar brand secretly acquired its ingredient supplier to eliminate competition.

The lawsuit centers on EPG, an esterified propoxylated glycerol that reduces calories from fat by 92 percent without sacrificing taste or texture. Developed over 18 years with $150 million in investment, EPG became essential to multiple brands building product lines around the breakthrough ingredient.

According to the complaint, David Protein founder Peter Rahal began secret acquisition talks with supplier Epogee in March while the company reported mysterious supply shortages to existing customers. Once the deal closed, Rahal controlled 100 percent of global EPG supply, up from his previous 90 percent stake as Epogee's largest customer.

Rahal's public comments appear to confirm exclusionary intent. When asked about existing EPG customers in a May industry interview, he bluntly stated, "Given supply situation, cease supply. We will be taking all the supply."

The move has devastated smaller competitors who invested heavily in EPG-based formulations. Plaintiffs report over $449,000 in sunk development costs, production shutdowns, and monthly operational losses of $15,000.

David Protein raised $75 million in Series A funding this year, backed by high-profile investors including Peter Attia and Andrew Huberman. The two-year-old company expanded to over 3,000 retail locations while generating viral social media attention.

This case could set precedent for how antitrust law applies to proprietary ingredient markets as functional nutrition companies increasingly depend on breakthrough compounds for competitive advantage.