In an intriguing twist of fate, Billy Evans, the partner of Elizabeth Holmes, has decided to enter the world of health technology by founding his own blood-testing company. This move comes at a time when Holmes is serving an 11-year prison sentence for defrauding investors in her former blood-testing company, Theranos. The age-old saying about those who fail to learn from history certainly rings true in this scenario, raising eyebrows across the industry.
According to a report by the New York Times, Evans is in the process of raising funds for his new venture, named Haemanthus, which translates to "blood flower" in Greek. Impressively, the company has already secured millions in funding, positioning itself as a leader in modern diagnostics. Haemanthus aims to revolutionize health testing with a "radically new approach" that utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze blood and other bodily fluids, including saliva and urine, for various diseases. However, the prototype image released by the company bears a striking resemblance to the now-defunct Theranos testing machine, prompting questions about the originality of this new venture.
Despite the skepticism surrounding the launch of Haemanthus, Evans has chosen not to comment publicly on the matter. Instead, the company took to its X account to release a statement aimed at quelling doubts. The statement acknowledged Evans' relationship with Holmes, emphasizing their commitment to transparency: "We’re Haemanthus. Yes, our CEO, Billy Evans, is Elizabeth Holmes’ partner. Skepticism is rational. We must clear a higher bar." They further assured the public that they plan to communicate directly and allow their science to speak for itself once it is ready.
In a bid to distance itself from the notorious legacy of Theranos, the Haemanthus team reiterated that Holmes has “zero involvement” in their operations. "This is not Theranos 2.0," the statement asserted, highlighting that their approach is “fundamentally different.” They explained, "We use light to read the complete molecular story in biological fluids, seeing patterns current tests can’t detect. Not an improvement. A different paradigm." This declaration aims to reassure potential investors and customers that they have learned from the mistakes of the past.
While Holmes may not be part of Haemanthus, her influence on Evans’ new venture cannot be overlooked. In a recent interview, she expressed her ongoing dedication to healthcare technology, stating, “There is not a day I have not continued to work on my research and inventions.” Holmes mentioned that she is actively working on patents from prison, fueling speculation about her future involvement in the industry. She remains committed to her vision of making affordable healthcare solutions accessible to everyone.
As Haemanthus prepares to enter the competitive field of diagnostics, the healthcare community watches closely. Will Evans' venture successfully carve out a new path in health technology, or will it merely echo the controversies of its predecessor, Theranos? Only time will tell.
