Elizabeth Holmes’ Partner Seeks Funds for New Blood-Testing Startup
▼ Summary
– Billy Evans, Elizabeth Holmes’ partner, is launching a new health startup called Haemanthus focused on blood testing for “human health optimization.”
– Haemanthus claims to have developed a laser-based machine to analyze blood, saliva, and urine for detecting cancer and infections.
– The company plans to start with pet health before expanding to humans and aims to raise over $50 million in funding.
– The startup’s pitch resembles Theranos’ failed promise of conducting medical tests with minimal blood samples, for which Holmes was imprisoned for fraud.
– Early Facebook investor Jim Breyer declined to invest in Haemanthus, citing similar concerns as when he passed on Theranos.
Billy Evans, the longtime partner of disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, is reportedly developing a new blood-testing venture called Haemanthus. According to sources familiar with the matter, the startup aims to revolutionize health diagnostics using laser-based analysis of blood, saliva, and urine samples—a concept that immediately draws comparisons to Holmes’ infamous failed company.
Insiders reveal that Haemanthus plans to initially focus on pet health diagnostics before expanding into human applications. The company is seeking over $50 million in funding, pitching its technology as a breakthrough for early detection of diseases like cancer and infections. Marketing materials describe a compact device capable of delivering rapid, comprehensive health insights—a bold claim reminiscent of Theranos’ unfulfilled promises.
The parallels to Holmes’ fraudulent blood-testing scheme have raised eyebrows among investors. Jim Breyer, an early Facebook backer, confirmed his firm was approached but declined involvement, citing concerns similar to those that led him to reject Theranos twice. Holmes, currently serving an 11-year prison sentence for defrauding investors, recently reiterated her commitment to affordable healthcare solutions in a rare interview.
While Evans’ new venture distances itself from Theranos’ legacy, skepticism remains high given the industry’s painful history with overhyped diagnostic claims. Whether Haemanthus can avoid the pitfalls of its predecessor—or convince wary investors—remains to be seen.
(Source: TechCrunch)
