Erin Brodwin
- uBiome has resumed processing its Explorer test, the company told customers on Thursday.
- The company had to stop processing lab samples on July 10 after laying off lab director, Susan Zniemer. She has since been reinstated as lab director, uBiome told customers late on Thursday
- Founded in 2012, uBiome raised $105 million from investors on the promise of exploring the "forgotten organ" that is the microbiome. In April the FBI raided uBiome’s headquarters, reportedly over the company’s billing practices.
- Click here for more BI Prime stories.
uBiome is back to running its only lab test, the troubled startup told customers on Thursday, a week after it was forced to stop running the test after laying off key employees.
The company had to stop processing lab samples on July 10, after cutting its lab director, Susan Zniemer. She has since been brought back on, according to an email sent to customers that uBiome shared with Business Insider.
Lab testing has resumed for the company’s Explorer test, a direct-to-consumer product that tells users what microbes are in their guts. The test costs $89, and uses a small sample of an individual’s poop.
"You may be aware that last week we temporarily paused processing Explorer samples while we executed an organizational change at the company," uBiome said in the email. We are pleased to inform you that Dr. Susan Zneimer will continue as uBiome’s Lab Director and we have resumed processing Explorer samples. We anticipate few if any delays in delivering results to customers."
Zneimer was let go as part of a round of layoffs in which uBiome cut about half its workforce. The startup is working to find a path forward, after the FBI raided the startup in April. Following the raid, the company suspended sales of two doctor-ordered tests, SmartGut and SmartJane.
Its co-founders and co-CEOs departed, and uBiome has been adding executives and board members with experience with bankruptcies and with and turning around troubled companies.
Founded in 2012, uBiome raised $105 million from investors and achieved a $600 million valuation on the promise of helping people understand the bacteria in their body, called the microbiome.
Click here to read more about uBiome.
Here’s the letter sent to customers:
Dear uBiome Customers,
You may be aware that last week we temporarily paused processing ExplorerTM samples while we executed an organizational change at the company.
We are pleased to inform you that Dr. Susan Zneimer will continue as uBiome’s Lab Director and we have resumed processing Explorer samples.
We anticipate few if any delays in delivering results to customers.
We remain committed to our customers and to the integrity of our product. We thank you for your patience.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at support@ubiome.com if you have questions.
The uBiome Team
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See Also:
- uBiome just added a top bankruptcy lawyer and a turnaround expert to its board as the troubled poop-testing startup grapples with its future
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Source: Business Insider – lramsey@businessinsider.com (Lydia Ramsey)