NIH Delivers $1.4 Million Grant to 23andMe to Expand Gene Database

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued a $1.4 million 2-year grant to the home genetics startup 23andMe. This funding will help to build survey tools, expand 23andMe’s gene database, and use its genetic database for various research projects. External researchers will be able to access information on thousands of diseases and traits for >400,000 people.

In addition, 23andMe said it plans to develop web-based surveys to explore new genetic associations, enhance survey tools to collect a broader set of data, use whole-genome sequencing data, and provide researchers with de-identified data from its existing genetic database.

According to Anne Wojcicki, CEO, 23andMe, this grant “enables researchers from around the world to make genetic discoveries.”

Recently, 23andMe disclosed plans to contribute data to a study on new genetic risks for Parkinson's disease spearheaded by researchers at the National Institute on Aging.

Earlier this year, 23andMe was entangled in a regulatory battle with the FDA, which expressed concerns regarding the company’s $99 DNA test, claiming concern for “public health consequences of inaccurate results.” The FDA took issue with the claim that the service could deliver insight into people’s genetic predispositions toward 254 diseases and conditions. 23andMe agreed to stop marketing and selling the test.

In the meantime, 23andMe has grown its genetic database by offering raw health and ancestral information, such as a person's ethnic heritage, in exchange for a DNA sample. The company said it has grown to 700,000 customers since 2006.

23andMe is backed by Google Inc.—Kerri Fitzgerald

Source: Thomson Reuters. 2014; 23andMe lands $1.4 million grant from NIH to detect genetic roots for disease.