23andMe raises $9M more to help customers understand genetics

Personal genetics company 23andMe, co-founded by Anne Wojcicki, wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, has raised $9 million from MPM Capital and Johnson & Johnson Development Corp., the company recently announced. Including the $22 million raised in November, that makes nearly $31 million 23andMe has raised in third-round funding.

After taking a simple saliva sample, the company analyzes DNA to provide customers with personalized genetic information on ancestry, the risk of getting specific diseases and likely response to drugs.

Last week, 23andMe released a list of what it identified as top genetic findings last year. Among other findings, the company highlighted research recognizing that body shape, or body fat distribution, is influenced by genetics. The findings could have implications for 23andMe customers because body fat distribution has an affect on risk of certain diseases.

Founded in 2006, 23andMe is based in Mountain View, Calif. and has now raised nearly $54 million in funding to date.