DNA testing company 23andMe has sold the rights to create a new drug based on their users’ DNA. The medication will be used to treat inflammatory diseases.
According to New Scientist, 23andMe sold the rights to Spanish pharmaceutical company Almirall with hopes of using the data to create a drug for inflammatory diseases. 23andMe Vice President Emily Dabrant Conley said in a statement with Bloomberg that the deal is a “seminal moment” for the company:
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“We’ve now gone from database to discovery to developing a drug.”
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This is the first time the company has signed a deal to license a drug it developed and there will be more deals to come. So far, 23andMe has sold over 10 million DNA testing kits since 80 percent of its customers have agreed to sign over their data for research and for scientists to develop new medications based on DNA. The company’s Terms and Conditions say the user will not be compensated for signing over their rights:
“You specifically understand that you will not receive compensation for any research or commercial products that include or result from your genetic information or self-reported information.”
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