Partner of Elizabeth Holmes Secures Millions for Novel Biotech Evaluation Venture
Revamped Article:
Elizabeth Holmes' partner, Billy Evans, is venturing into the world of biotech with a new AI startup named Haemanthus – Greek for "blood flower." This ambitious endeavor aims to create a product that could revolutionize medical testing and various other applications, according to two anonymous insiders with direct knowledge of the project.
Holmes, a Silicon Valley phenomenon that was once hailed as the next Steve Jobs, is currently serving an 11-year sentence in federal prison for defrauding investors about her troubled blood-testing company Theranos. Despite her incarceration, Holmes continues to lend support to Evans, feeding him advice from her cell in Bryan, Texas, though the specifics of their partnership remain unclear.
Haemanthus boasts a team of about a dozen passionate individuals, several of whom worked with Evans at Luminar Technologies, a company specializing in autonomous vehicle sensors. Evans has primarily raised funds from friends, family, and supporters, although the company is planning to seek additional investments of over $50 million.
While Holmes' foray into biotech while in prison raises eyebrows, the conviction and subsequent settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission have not hindered her aspirations in the field. In February, Holmes told People magazine that she intends to return to the healthcare industry upon her release, and that she has been penning patents for new inventions while incarcerated.
In a recent Twitter thread, Haemanthus made it clear that they sought to distance themselves from any echoes of Holmes' previous venture, Theranos. "Yes, our CEO, Billy Evans, is Elizabeth Holmes' partner. Skepticism is rational," the account stated. "We must clear a higher bar. We prefer to build first, talk later. The science, when ready, will stand on its own merits."
While Haemanthus has been linked to Holmes due to their shared partner, the company maintains that Holmes plays no role in the day-to-day operations. However, in its infancy, Haemanthus is focusing on developing light detection technology that can guide AI sensors to conduct medical tests, while striving to lower the cost and remove the barriers to making the technology commercially available to patients.
Analysts have speculated that Haemanthus will employ Raman spectroscopy, a technique that has shown promise in diagnosing diseases such as ALS, cancer, and even identifying improvised explosive devices on battlefields. Yet, these assumptions remain speculation, as Haemanthus has yet to provide precise details about the technology it will utilize.
Copyright 2025 NPR
Enrichment Data:
Haemanthus, a startup co-founded by Billy Evans and Elizabeth Holmes, is currently working on AI-driven medical diagnostics using light detection technology. The company is in its nascent stages but has attracted significant interest and investments. The technology aims to detect diseases earlier and with greater precision, potentially revolutionizing the medical diagnostics field.
While Haemanthus's use of light detection technology suggests a focus on advanced optical methods for diagnostics, the company has yet to explicitly mention Raman spectroscopy. The startup has separated itself from Holmes' previous venture Theranos by emphasizing that their approach is fundamentally different, using light to provide a complete molecular analysis as opposed to miniaturizing existing tests.
Although Haemanthus' specific technologies and applications are not yet fully disclosed, analysts have speculated that the company's focus on light detection technology may include the use of Raman spectroscopy for disease detection and human health optimization. The startup aims to develop AI-powered diagnostic tools that can potentially revolutionize the medical diagnostics field.
- In the realm of biotech, Haemanthus – founded by Billy Evans and Elizabeth Holmes – is working on an AI-driven medical diagnostics project, using light detection technology.
- This innovative startup, despite being in its infancy, has attracted significant interest and investments, aiming to revolutionize the medical diagnostics field.
- Haemanthus' technology focuses on early disease detection and greater precision, possibly utilizing advanced optical methods such as Raman spectroscopy.
- Haemanthus differentiates itself from Elizabeth Holmes' previous venture, Theranos, by stating that their approach is fundamentally distinct, employing light for a complete molecular analysis instead of merely miniaturizing existing tests.
- As the specific technologies and applications of Haemanthus are not yet fully disclosed, further exploration in health-and-wellness, healthcare, science, business, technology, finance, and medical-conditions sectors is anticipated.
