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WASHINGTON--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Cancer Grand Challenges, a global research funding initiative co-founded by Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute, today announces funding for five new global research teams to take on some of the toughest cancer challenges: cancer inequities, early-onset cancers, solid tumors in children and T-cell receptors. Each team will receive up to $25 million over 5 years and will unite interdisciplinary researchers from across the world to drive progress in cancer research. This $125 million investment marks Cancer Grand Challenges’ largest funding round to date – with $50 million funded by the National Cancer Institute and $75 million funded by Cancer Research UK and its network of partners. Cancer Grand Challenges brings together diverse international organisations, collaborators and research leaders who share its mission. These include the Scientific Foundation of the Spanish Association Against Cancer, the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK, Institut National Du Cancer, the Dutch Cancer Society, The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research and KiKa (Children Cancer Free Foundation). To date, more than $400m has been invested in the Cancer Grand Challenges initiative. “Together with our network of visionary partners and research leaders, Cancer Grand Challenges unites the world's brightest minds across boundaries and disciplines and aims to overcome cancer’s toughest problems,” said Dr. David Scott, Director of Cancer Grand Challenges. “With this investment, our largest to date, we continue to grow our global research community, and fund new teams that have the potential to surface discoveries that could positively impact cancer outcomes.” “Cancer Grand Challenges is a leader in promoting novel international collaborations to take on some of the biggest challenges in cancer research. The collaborative nature of Cancer Grand Challenges allows us to develop and support innovation and drive progress on a global scale” said Dinah S. Singer, Ph.D., NCI Deputy Director for scientific strategy and development. Unveiling the new teams and their research areas Early-onset cancers: Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is an important emerging global problem among individuals younger than 50 years. Team PROSPECT aims to address this by understanding the pathways, risk factors, and molecules involved in its development. Their vision is to understand and ultimately try to reverse the network of causal factors throughout the life course that disrupts normal biological processes to promote EOCRC. The team is led by Andrew Chan, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Yin Cao, Washington University in St. Louis. Cancer inequities: Inequities in cancer prevention, screening, and treatment lead to disparities in cancer incidence and mortality and are a major public health concern. Team SAMBAI aims to build an unprecedented resource, which will comprise a comprehensive measurement of social, environmental, genetic and biological factors that can be used to help define the causes of disparate outcomes in the selected populations. The team will focus on prostate, breast and pancreatic cancers in the global African diaspora. The team is led by Melissa Davis, Morehouse School of Medicine. Solid tumors in children: Cancer remains a leading cause of death due to disease among children globally, and outcomes for some childhood cancers have not improved in more than 30 years. Treatments for solid tumors in children still rely on decades-old chemotherapies, and often radiotherapy. Two teams will take on this challenge, KOODAC and PROTECT. The teams will use protein degradation strategies to target previously undruggable drivers of children’s cancers. A drug(s) that could emerge from these programs, could revolutionize the field and transform the lives of those affected by that particular cancer type. Team PROTECT is led by Stefan Pfister, Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ). Team KOODAC is led by Martin Eilers, University of Würzburg and Yaël Mossé, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. T-cell receptors: T cells are central players in the immune response, and the development of immunotherapies is transforming the treatment landscape for some cancers. Yet, their effects are not universal across cancer types and patients. Understanding how T-cell receptors recognise antigens is critical to help realise the full potential of antigen-specific immunotherapy. Team MATCHMAKERS aim to predict what T cells recognise in a patient’s tumour and insights gained could have implications beyond cancer – for example in infectious disease, autoimmunity and allergy. The team is led by Michael Birnbaum, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Selection Process Every two years, Cancer Grand Challenges invites the global research community, patient advocates and people affected by cancer to submit their views on the greatest obstacles standing in the way of making vital progress against cancer. The Cancer Grand Challenges Scientific Committee, comprising some of the world's most eminent researchers, then meets to discuss and debate the ideas submitted and recommends a set of complex challenges, that it believes can be solved. International teams are then invited to apply for funding to support innovative, interdisciplinary research to solve them, with the successful teams announced the following year. Combining Ambition and Innovation Cancer Grand Challenges employs a unique funding approach centered on challenges, motivating researchers from diverse backgrounds to surpass conventional limits of geography and discipline. These challenges represent persistent obstacles hindering progress in cancer research, which no single scientist, institution, or country can tackle in isolation. The Cancer Grand Challenges community has grown to more than 1,200 investigators and collaborators with 16 teams from across the world taking on 13 challenges. For more information on teams, team members and their approach to tackling these challenges, visit https://cancergrandchallenges.org/ . About Cancer Grand Challenges Co-founded in 2020 by two of the largest funders of cancer research in the world: Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute, Cancer Grand Challenges supports a global community of diverse, world-class research teams to come together, think differently and take on some of cancer’s toughest challenges. These are the obstacles that continue to impede progress and no one scientist, institution or country will be able to solve them alone. With awards of up to $25M, Cancer Grand Challenges teams are empowered to rise above the traditional boundaries of geography and discipline to make the progress against cancer we urgently need. Notes to editors: Team KOODAC, co-led by Martin Eilers, University of Wurzburg and Yaël Mossé, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, is funded by Cancer Research UK, Institut National Du Cancer and KiKa (Children Cancer Free Foundation) through Cancer Grand Challenges. Team MATCHMAKERS, led by Michael Birnbaum, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is funded by Cancer Research UK, the National Cancer Institute and The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research through Cancer Grand Challenges. Team PROSPECT, co-led by Andrew Chan, Massachusetts General Hospital and Yin Cao, Washington University, St. Louis, is funded by Cancer Research UK, the National Cancer Institute, the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK and Institut National Du Cancer through Cancer Grand Challenges. Team PROTECT, led by Stefan Pfister, The Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg, is funded by Cancer Research UK, the National Cancer Institute, the Scientific Foundation of the Spanish Association Against Cancer and KiKa (Children Cancer Free Foundation) through Cancer Grand Challenges. Team SAMBAI, led by Melissa Davis, Morehouse School of Medicine (US) is funded by Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute through Cancer Grand Challenges.

Driving Diversity in Clinical Trials in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas EQBMED is a collaborative, community-based partnership to address diversity in clinical trials supported by grant funding from PhRMA NEW HAVEN, Conn., Feb. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Equitable Breakthroughs in Medicine Development (EQBMED), led by Yale School of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, the Research Centers in Minority Institutions Coordinating Center (RCMI) at Morehouse School of Medicine, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, is a partnership bringing clinical trial sites closer to the community to further equity and access for diverse populations. Today, EQBMED announced the selection of the first four Learning Phase sites, moving the needle closer to a scalable and sustainable clinical trial model in historically underserved communities. The partnerships include: Morehouse School of Medicine and Grady Health System in Atlanta, Georgia; Yale School of Medicine and Medical University of South Carolina in Florence, South Carolina; Research Centers in Minority Institutions Coordinating Center (RCMI) at Morehouse School of Medicine, Texas Southern University in Houston and University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas; and Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. The selection of these sites is part of EQBMED's plan to identify an initial 10 community-facing clinical trial sites in historically underrepresented communities of color across the country. EQBMED's multi-stakeholder model employs a holistic approach that considers the baseline capabilities of each site, allowing EQBMED to focus on creating opportunities for communities of color to participate and stay true to the program's mission to promote clinical trial access and education. The EQBMED model stands out from others in the field because of its collaborative approach to working with local sites and trusted voices within the community to address critical barriers facing communities of color and rural residents. The program works to increase awareness of clinical trials, address misinformation and historical mistrust, while ensuring the trial is easily accessible. The EQBMED partnership meets sites where they are, building on their strengths and capabilities to become sustainable within the clinical trial ecosystem. This means developing a tailored approach to each site, which could include, fostering sustainable partnerships with community-based organizations and leaders, enhancing technology capabilities, augmenting infrastructure, and providing funding for dedicated personnel. This tailored approach drove the development of a new model to consider site readiness – the site maturity assessment model – which enables a site to identify its current capabilities as well as aspirations and co-develop a roadmap to achieve them. The maturity model enables tracking progress at each site over time toward reaching the definition of success agreed upon by the community, trial sites, and EQBMED while maintaining the necessary scientific standards and metrics for quality in clinical trial research. "Advancing health equity, which includes diverse participation in clinical trials, means meeting individuals where they are, building trust, and responding to the needs of communities. This has continued to be a priority of the Yale School of Medicine," said Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, MD, MHS, Associate Dean for Health Equity Research, and C.N.H Long Professor of Internal Medicine, Public Health, and Management at Yale University. "Establishing trust is step one in cultivating meaningful collaboration with communities. Our goal of having steadfast commitment to inclusivity and advancements in healthcare can only be achievable through genuine investment and an authentic establishment of trust over time." "We stand at a thrilling crossroads, having approached our efforts with intentionality, to foster meaningful connections with both our sites and communities," said Tesheia Johnson, MBA, MHS, Chief Strategy Officer at Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI) at Yale School of Medicine. "Our site model has made incredible strides towards breaking barriers and fostering genuine partnership, building toward collective success in every step." Each EQBMED network partner is aligned with one of the four current sites and brings their individual strengths and opportunities, while serving in a mentor role to help each site thrive and meet their goals. "Backed by a rich history, this diverse mix of clinical trial sites saves lives by giving their patients – the Atlanta, Florence, Houston, Galveston and Nashville communities – an opportunity to advance the science of lifesaving medicines as well as benefit from this extraordinary work," said Dr. Priscilla Pemu, MD, MS, FACP, Associate Dean for Clinical Research and Professor of Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine. "EQBMED is making real progress towards equitable access to clinical trials and enhancing these sites with needed resources." "We are seeking to address systemic barriers that underserved patients often face when it comes to clinical trials, including a lack of outreach, patient mistrust, and a lack of clinical trial infrastructure in historically underserved communities," said Dr. Elizabeth Ofili, MD, MPH, FACC, Professor of Medicine and Principal Investigator of the RCMI Coordinating Center at Morehouse School of Medicine. "The RCMI Coordinating Center and research consortium are pleased to partner with EQBMED to accelerate drug discovery for the benefit of our communities." "There are myriad challenges to overcome if we want to address the racial and economic disparities in clinical trials and health care. Moreover, communities of color are not a monolith, so we cannot expect any two sites to require the same solutions. I am excited to be working with a team that understands that unique needs require unique solutions, and I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues on this necessary and crucial initiative," said Dr. Peter Embí, MD, MS, FACP, FACMI, FAMIA, FIAHSI, Professor and Chair of Biomedical Informatics and Medicine and Senior Vice-President for Research and Innovation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.  "PhRMA's funding for EQBMED was born from thousands of conversations with patients, community leaders, health providers, industry experts and policymakers about the importance of enhancing clinical trial diversity. Today's announcement is years in the making and shows what's possible when people from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise come to the table to work towards solutions together," said Stephen J. Ubl, President, and Chief Executive Officer of PhRMA. EQBMED is building on and leveraging past and present work by the network partners to support local trial sites in historically underrepresented communities in this critical area of clinical research. As we work to increase access to clinical trials for diverse patient populations in pursuit of true health equity, we are committed to sharing our findings broadly to build a foundation of trust, innovate a new approach to clinical trial diversity, and create beneficial change for community-centric research, for medical science, and for society at large. More information at: . About Equitable Breakthroughs in Medicine Development Equitable Breakthroughs in Medicine Development (EQBMED) is a pioneering partnership committed to transforming the landscape of clinical trials by advancing diversity, transparency, and knowledge. By empowering community-based sites and addressing historical disparities, the program is dedicated to creating a more inclusive future in medicine development. About Yale School of Medicine Yale School of Medicine (YSM) is one of the world's leading centers for biomedical research, advanced clinical care, and medical education. YSM's research ranges from basic science research on the molecular mechanisms and underpinnings of diseases to translational and clinical studies aimed at improving diagnosis and treatment. More than 1,700 Yale physicians provide care to patients from across the region and around the world through Yale Medicine, the school's clinical practice. With its emphasis on critical thinking and independent student research, YSM produces leaders in academic medicine. For almost two decades, the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI), the academic home of the NIH NCATS-funded Clinical and Translational Sciences Award (CTSA), at the Yale School of Medicine has spearheaded efforts to change the landscape of diversity in clinical trials. YCCI provides infrastructure and training to support clinical research and works to improve the health of all individuals and communities by increasing participation in clinical research in communities of color and marginalized populations. For more information visit . About Morehouse School of Medicine Founded in 1975, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is among the nation's leading educators of primary care physicians, biomedical scientists, and public health professionals. An independent and private historically-Black medical school, MSM was recognized by the Annals of Internal Medicine as the nation's number one medical school in fulfilling a social mission—the creation and advancement of health equity. MSM faculty and alumni are noted for excellence in teaching, research, and public policy, as well as exceptional patient care. MSM is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award doctoral and master's degrees. To learn more about programs and donate today, please visit or call 404-752-1500. About the Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Coordinating Center The RCMI Coordinating Center supports the RCMI Consortium and research network, which has NIH-funded research centers and 1,300 scientists, located across the nation in twenty-two Historically Black, Hispanic and Minority-Serving Institutions, that are leading innovations in health disparities research across diverse communities. RCMI CC supports investigators with their collaborative, multi-site research occurring across the Network. Please visit to learn more, and find research collaborators. Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Coordinating Center is supported by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health (NIH), through Grant Number U24MD015970. The contents of this announcement are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH. About Vanderbilt University Medical Center Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is the largest comprehensive research, teaching and patient care health system in the Mid-South region, with the highest ranked adult and children's hospitals in the Southeast by U.S. News & World Report. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, VUMC sees more than 3.2 million patient visits per year in over 180 ambulatory locations, performs 91,000 surgical operations and discharges 79,000 inpatients from its main-campus adult, children's, psychiatric and rehabilitation hospitals and three regional community hospitals. The Medical Center is the largest non-governmental employer of Middle Tennesseans, with nearly 40,000 staff, including more than 3,000 physicians, advanced practice nurses and scientists appointed to the Vanderbilt University faculty. For more information and the latest news follow VUMC on Facebook, LinkedIn, X and in the VUMC Reporter. About Grady Health System Grady Health System is one of the largest safety net health systems in the United States. Grady consists of the 953-bed Grady Memorial Hospital, seven neighborhood health centers, Crestview Health & Rehabilitation Center, Correll Pavilion, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, which is operated as a Children's affiliate. With its nationally acclaimed emergency medical services, Grady is Atlanta's only Level I trauma center and serves as the 911 ambulance provider for the city of Atlanta. Grady's Walter L. Ingram Burn Center is the leading burn center in North Georgia. And the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center is a Joint Commission designated Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center. Other key services/distinctions include Grady's Regional Perinatal Center with its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Georgia's first Cancer Center for Excellence, The Avon Comprehensive Breast Center, the Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, and the Ponce de Leon Center - one of the top HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics in the country. Grady is one of an elite group of hospitals to earn the Baby-Friendly USA international recognition as a Baby-Friendly Designated birth facility. For more information, visit . About Meharry Medical College Meharry Medical College, founded in 1876, is the nation's largest private, independent historically Black academic health sciences center dedicated to educating minority and other health professionals. True to its heritage, it is a United Methodist Church related institution. The college is particularly well known for its uniquely nurturing, highly effective educational programs; emerging preeminence in health disparities research; culturally sensitive, evidence-based health services and significant contribution to the diversity of the nation's health professions workforce. Meharry is a leading national educator of African Americans with M.D. and D.D.S. degrees and Ph.D. degrees in the biomedical sciences. For more information visit: . About Medical University of South Carolina Health Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state's only comprehensive academic health system, with a unique mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates more than 3,200 students in six colleges – Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy – and trains more than 900 residents and fellows in its health system. MUSC brought in more than $300 million in research funds in fiscal year 2023, leading the state overall in research funding. MUSC also leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health funding. For information on academic programs, visit musc.edu. As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. Patient care is provided at 16 hospitals (includes owned or governing interest), with approximately 2,700 beds and four additional hospital locations in development, more than 350 telehealth sites and nearly 750 care locations situated in all regions of South Carolina. In 2023, for the ninth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org. MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $5.9 billion. The nearly 26,000 MUSC family members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, students, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research, and patient care. About Texas Southern University Texas Southern University is one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive historically black colleges or universities in the United States. A distinguished educational pioneer since 1927, Texas Southern University (TSU) has become one of the most diverse and respected institutions in Texas. TSU provides higher education access to the nation's underserved communities with over 100 academic and research programs that address critical urban issues and prepare its diverse student population of nearly 8,000 students to become a force for positive change in a global society. The Texas Southern University Joan M Lafleur College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (COPHS) stands as a beacon of excellence and innovation in the field of healthcare education. Situated in the heart of Houston, Texas, COPHS is dedicated to advancing health care through its cutting-edge programs, research initiatives, and commitment to community service. With a rich history of producing highly skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals, the college is a pivotal part of TSU's mission to transform students into leaders who are prepared to meet the challenges of a dynamic and diverse healthcare landscape. The mission of the Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS) is to provide quality academic programming to produce an ethnically diverse population of health professionals, especially African Americans and underrepresented minorities, who are transformational leaders in the delivery of interdisciplinary health services while addressing critical and urban issues. About The University of Texas Medical Branch Texas' first academic health center opened its doors in 1891 and today has four campuses, five health sciences schools, six institutes for advanced study, a research enterprise that includes one of only two national laboratories dedicated to the safe study of infectious threats to human health, a Level 1 Trauma Center and a health system offering a full range of primary and specialized medical services throughout the Texas Gulf Coast region. UTMB is an institution in the University of Texas System and a member of the Texas Medical Center. [] About PhRMA The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country's leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, which are devoted to discovering and developing medicines that enable patients to live longer, healthier and more productive lives. PhRMA has convened thousands of stakeholders to explore a new potential infrastructure with diverse communities, health systems, and academia that seeks to show proof of concept for a network of connected, community-rooted and sustainable trial sites. PhRMA provided a grant to Yale University to support the creation and development of this initiative. Learn more about PhRMA's Equity Initiative at PhRMA.org/Equity. Contact: Rebekah Escala VOX Global (919) 830-2093 SOURCE Yale School of Medicine

Program aims to increase access to information on sickle cell carrier status, and offer resources to individuals with sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease Expands existing initiatives between 23andMe and Morehouse School of Medicine to increase equity in genetics and genomics ATLANTA and SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, 23andMe Holding Co. (Nasdaq: ME) (23andMe), a leading human genetics and biopharmaceutical company, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), and the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia (SCFG) announced the launch of a Sickle Cell Carrier Status Awareness program to help increase access to sickle cell carrier status information, raise awareness of sickle cell disease (SCD), and offer resources for individuals with sickle cell trait (SCT) and SCD. In the first such collaboration between a genetic testing company and a Historically Black Medical College (HBMC), 23andMe will offer its Health+Ancestry DNA testing kits at no cost to MSM students, faculty and staff, providing individuals the opportunity to learn more about their ancestral heritage and access over 65 Health reports and features. This includes genetic reports on several conditions that disproportionately affect the Black and African American community, including a Carrier Status report on sickle cell anemia*. Program participants will also be offered counseling by the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia after receiving their 23andMe results. Through this effort 23andMe hopes to increase representation of the Black and African American community within its cohort so that its products, services, and research benefit all people equitably. 23andMe’s FDA-authorized Sickle Cell Anemia Carrier Status report tests for the HbS variant in the Hemoglobin Subunit Beta (HBB) gene, which is linked to sickle cell anemia and other forms of SCD. Three-hundred-million people worldwide and one in thirteen Black or African Americans in the United States are carriers for sickle cell anemia or have SCT. “Our goal at 23andMe is to empower people through access to their genetic data, enabling consumers to make better, more informed decisions about their health,” said Joyce Tung, Vice President, Research at 23andMe. “In addition to educating more people on their carrier status, genetic health risks* and potential risks for family members, we believe this collaboration can contribute to more equitable research in, and product development for, groups of non-European ancestry.” “The collaboration between MSM, 23andMe, and the SCFG offers the potential for impact at scale,” said Herman Taylor, Endowed Professor and Director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI) at Morehouse School of Medicine. “Working together, we have the opportunity to share scientific and health insights for diseases that impact those in the Black and African American community at higher rates, allowing individuals to address health risks early and prevent disease.” The CVRI at MSM is a center of multidisciplinary exploration and development focused on promotion of cardiovascular health for all. Traditional and novel approaches—from multiomics to digital epidemiology to AI--explore multilevel pathways—from cellular to community-- to heart health and resilience, while centering health equity and the resolution of health disparities. The Institute is supported by grants from multiple funders (National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the American Heart Association, United Health, the Truist Foundation, the National Football League Players Association, Apple Corporation, Google, 23and Me and others) and has a broad network of collaborators in CVD and related diseases. About Sickle Cell DiseaseSCD is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. SCD involves abnormal hemoglobin in red blood cells, causing them to become hard and sticky and look like a sickle (crescent). When “sickled” cells travel through small blood vessels, they can get stuck and clog the blood flow, causing pain and other serious complications such as infection, acute chest syndrome and stroke. These sickled cells also get destroyed prematurely, leading to anemia and symptoms such as fatigue. People who carry one copy of the HbS variant in the HBB gene have SCT. People with SCT typically do not experience any symptoms; however, their children could be at risk of inheriting SCD if their partner is also a carrier for an HBB variant. People who carry one copy of other genetic variants in the HBB gene can be carriers for other hemoglobin disorders that can also cause SCD. Additional 23andMe and MSM collaborationsThis program is one of many ways in which 23andMe and MSM are working together to increase equity in genetics and genomics. These include recent research collaborations to study topics such as SCT and COVID-19, as well as type 2 diabetes-related kidney disease. To further their joint goal of increasing representation in science and medicine, 23andMe supported MSM’s 2022 APEX pre-medical pathway program for undergraduate students underrepresented in medicine in Georgia, and in 2023 has supported PhD and MD interns. About 23andMe23andMe is a genetics-led consumer healthcare and biopharmaceutical company empowering a healthier future. For more information, please visit www.23andMe.com. About Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM)Founded in 1975, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is among the nation's leading educators of primary care physicians, biomedical scientists, and public health professionals. An independent and private historically-Black medical school, MSM was recognized by the Annals of Internal Medicine as the nation's number one medical school in fulfilling a social mission—the creation and advancement of health equity. Morehouse School of Medicine's faculty and alumni are noted for excellence in teaching, research, and public policy, as well as exceptional patient care. MSM is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award doctoral and master's degrees. To learn more about programs and donate today, please visit www.msm.edu or call 404-752-1500. About Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia (SCFG)The Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia is one of the oldest sickle cell-focused institutions in the nation. Its mission is to reduce the incidence of sickle cell disease, to monitor the prevalence of sickle cell and to help improve the quality of life for persons afflicted with the disease. To achieve its directives, the Foundation sponsors educational programs, conducts sickle cell trait testing, counsels families, supports healthcare providers and coordinates activities that benefit patients throughout the year. Visit sicklecellga.org for more information. Important 23andMe Test Information:*The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks and reporting carrier status. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease, but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment. Our carrier status reports can be used to determine carrier status, but cannot determine if you have two copies of any genetic variant. These carrier reports are not intended to tell you anything about your risk for developing a disease in the future, the health of your fetus, or your newborn child's risk of developing a particular disease later in life. For certain conditions, we provide a single report that includes information on both carrier status and genetic health risk. The Sickle Cell Anemia carrier status report is indicated for the detection of the HbS variant in the HBB gene. The report can tell you if you have two copies of the tested variant, and if you are at risk of developing symptoms of sickle cell anemia, but does not describe your overall risk of developing symptoms. This test is most relevant for people of African descent. It is also relevant for people of Middle Eastern and South Asian descent, as well as people from the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and parts of Central and South America. For important information and limitations regarding other genetic health risk reports and carrier status reports, visit www.23andme.com/test-info. Forward Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future performance of 23andMe’s businesses in consumer genetics and therapeutics and the growth and potential of its proprietary research platform. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included or incorporated in this press release, including statements regarding 23andMe’s strategy, financial position, funding for continued operations, cash reserves, projected costs, plans, and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. The words "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "may," "could," "should," "potential," "likely," "projects," “predicts,” "continue," "will," “schedule,” and "would" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are predictions based on 23andMe’s current expectations and projections about future events and various assumptions. 23andMe cannot guarantee that it will actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in its forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on 23andMe’s forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (many of which are beyond the control of 23andMe), or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and as revised and updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The statements made herein are made as of the date of this press release and, except as may be required by law, 23andMe undertakes no obligation to update them, whether as a result of new information, developments, or otherwise. Contacts 23andMeInvestor Relations Contact: investors@23andMe.comMedia Contact: press@23andMe.com Morehouse School of MedicineJamille Bradfieldjbradfield@msm.edu SCFGsicklecellga.org