Google injects $3.9m into biotech start-up

Google has invested $3.9m in 23andMe, a biotech start-up co-founded by the wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

With its investment, Google will hold a minority stake in 23andMe, co-founded last year by Anne Wojcicki. The company focuses on aiding consumers in understanding their genome.

The search giant was one of several investors in a series A, or first round, of funding for the biotech company. Other investors include biotech giant Genentech, Mohr Davidow Ventures and New Enterprise Associates. Terms of the financing deal were not disclosed.

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Genentech's chief executive, Arthur Levinson, sits on Google's board and the search giant had its audit committee review the transaction as part of its policy for assessing deals to avoid potential conflicts of interest. The audit committee, which approved the transaction, also received advice from an independent counsel and financial adviser on the valuation of the deal.

Prior to Google's investment, Brin had provided approximately $2.6m in interim debt financing to 23andMe. He was repaid with proceeds from the series A financing.

Brin recused himself from all discussions regarding the investment, according to a Google spokesman. He also said it was premature to discuss whether Google would eventually partner with 23andMe but that the investment was strategic to Google's business objectives.

He said: "We made the investment because we think there is value in the work they plan to do in genetics. Our mission is to organise the world's information, and we think 23andMe developing new ways of helping people make sense of their genetic information will help further our mission."

Dawn Kawamoto writes for CNET News.com