+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Close
HomeQuizzoneWhatsappShare Flash Reads
 

Read the memo 23andMe's cofounder sent to staff after the entire board quit

Sep 19, 2024, 21:37 IST
Business Insider
Wojcicki wrote the company would be better positioned "outside of the short term pressures of the public markets."Cindy Ord/VF24/Getty Images
  • 23andMe's board resigned over a 'distracting difference of view' with cofounder Anne Wojcicki.
  • The board rejected an earlier proposal by Wojcicki to take the company private.
Advertisement

23andMe's entire board of directors resigned from the company over cofounder and CEO Anne Wojcicki's ongoing plans to take it private.

In a letter to Wojcicki on Tuesday — which was also posted by the company as a press release — the board wrote it had "yet to receive from you a fully financed, fully diligenced, actionable proposal" about the plans.

In April, Wojcicki said she wanted to buy the once-hot DNA company and take it private.

But in August, a special committee formed by the board rejected her proposal, saying it provided "no premium to the closing price per share," lacked "committed financing," and was "conditional in nature."

In August, the board said it would give Wojcicki "a limited amount of additional time." On Tuesday, the board said time was up.

Advertisement

While the board wrote in its letter that it supported 23andMe's overarching mission of personalized health, it diverged with Wojcicki on strategy. That, in turn, presented a "distracting difference of view" given the concentration of her voting power, the board wrote.

Wojcicki — who serves as chair of the board and its only current member — responded to the resignations in an email to 23andMe employees, writing that she was "surprised and disappointed" and that the company would "immediately" begin to create a new board.

Here's her full memo:

Once worth billions, shares of 23andMe had a market capitalization of $176 million Thursday, with shares trading at 35 cents. The Nasdaq had previously said it would delist the company if shares remained below $1.

A rep for Wojcicki did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Advertisement
You are subscribed to notifications!
Looks like you've blocked notifications!
Next Article