This decision, described by CEO Anne Wojcicki as “difficult but necessary,” comes as the genetic testing company undergoes a major restructuring to refocus on its core consumer business and research partnerships. The layoffs are part of a broader ...

As founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki struggles to take the company private, 200 jobs are cut as part of its restructuring plan.

The genetics company is closing a unit that was once seen as core to its future.

Me announced on Monday it would cut 40% of its workforce, representing more than 200 employees, as part of a restructuring at the company. “We are taking these difficult but necessary actions as we restructure 23andMe and focus on the long-term success of our core consumer business and research partnerships,

More than 200 employees of 23andMe are being laid off as part of the company’s ongoing cost-cutting measures. The layoffs will impact 40 percent of the genetic testing company’s workforce. 23andMe CEO and co-founder Anne Wojcicki said in a statement released on Monday that the staff reduction would save the beleaguered company more than $35 million.

The DNA testing kit company is also discontinuing new developments to its therapeutics program, which has been focused on using customers’ DNA data to aid in drug discovery.