The character arc of Anne Wojcicki
A life drawn by Character Arc from the public record
Born on 28 July 1973. Between then and now sit a Yale biology degree in 1996, 23andMe founded in 2006, Time magazine's Invention of the Year in 2008, a Fast Company title in October 2013, the first regulatory approvals from 2015, a four year collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline in 2018, Chapter 11 and her resignation on 24 March 2025, and the buy-back of nearly all the company's assets on 13 June 2025. The line below draws the story so far, in order.
Tap the line to pluck it. Hover or tap any mark for its card. Drawn from the public record of her life; the sources are at the foot of the page.
Who is Anne Wojcicki?
She bought it back.
She took a Bachelor of Science in biology at Yale University in 1996, and in 2006 founded the personal genomics company 23andMe with Linda Avey and Paul Cusenza. The idea was that ordinary people should be able to read their own genetic information, which at the time was something you needed a laboratory and a reason to get near. Time magazine named the company's genome test kit its Invention of the Year in 2008, and Fast Company called her the most daring chief executive in America in October 2013.
The regulator caught up slowly. From 2015 the Food and Drug Administration began approving 23andMe's health-related tests, covering risk for conditions including cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anaemia, certain cancers and coeliac disease. In 2018 the company entered a four year collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline to develop new medicines, which is a different business from selling kits.
On 24 March 2025 it was reported that 23andMe had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and that she had resigned as chief executive with immediate effect, remaining on the board. That is where most versions of this story end. On 13 June 2025 the TTAM Research Institute, a non-profit led by her, regained control of the company through a 305 million dollar deal, buying back nearly all of its assets.
The moments
Anne Wojcicki's timeline.
The 1990s
Biology at Yale
Milestone, and it changed her direction. Biology, which is the subject the whole company is made of.
The 2000s
She founded 23andMe
Milestone, and it changed everything. A company built so that ordinary people could read their own genes.
Invention of the Year
Milestone, and it changed everything. Two years old, and the invention of the year.
The 2010s
The most daring
Milestone. A title given seven years after founding it.
The regulator approves
Milestone, and it changed everything. The regulator says yes, after years of saying no.
A drug company partnership
Milestone, and it changed her direction. From selling kits to developing medicines, which is a different company.
The 2020s
Chapter 11, and she resigned
Setback, and it changed everything. Bankrupt, and out of the job, on the same day.
Let it go, or buy it back
Crossroads, decided.
The paths laid out: buy the assets back, taken, or let the sale run. The non-profit she leads bought back nearly all of 23andMe's assets on 13 June 2025.
She bought it back
Milestone, and it changed everything. Three hundred and five million dollars, to get her own company back.
The line reaches today still adding to itself, which is why it is drawn now rather than at the end. What it has set moving is the shape at the end of it: the worst point on the chart is in March 2025, and the recovery is drawn a few months later rather than a few decades.
Your turn
Every line draws a unique story.
Hers went bankrupt, and she bought the company back in the same year. Yours is already further along than you think, and drawing it takes about five minutes.
Anne Wojcicki: frequently asked questions
What people ask about her line.
What is Anne Wojcicki's character arc?
What is Anne Wojcicki's 23andMe?
Did Anne Wojcicki's company go bankrupt?
How did Anne Wojcicki get 23andMe back?
When was Anne Wojcicki's 23andMe approved by regulators?
Did Anne Wojcicki work with a drug company?
Where does this timeline of Anne Wojcicki's life come from?
More character arcs
Lives that rhyme with her.
Sources
- Anne Wojcicki, English Wikipedia biography, filed under living people.
- Chapter 11 filing reported 24 March 2025 and the TTAM Research Institute transaction of 13 June 2025.
- Yale University degree record, 1996, and Time magazine Invention of the Year, 2008.