Elizabeth Holmes’ Partner, Billy Evans, Reportedly Fundraising for New Blood-Testing Startup Called Haemanthus

Billy Evans, the partner of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, is reportedly seeking funding for a new startup called Haemanthus, aiming to revolutionize “human health optimization” through blood testing, according to The New York Times.

The New York Times gained insights from conversations with two investors who were pitched on the startup and reviewed Haemanthus’ marketing materials. The venture is Evans’ first since Holmes was convicted of fraud related to Theranos.

Haemanthus claims to have developed a machine that utilizes lasers to analyze blood, saliva, and urine samples, with the goal of detecting cancer and infections. The company intends to initially focus on pet health before expanding its services to humans, seeking to raise over $50 million in funding.

This approach is reminiscent of Theranos, which infamously promised a wide array of medical tests using only small amounts of blood from finger pricks. Elizabeth Holmes, Evans’ partner and mother of his two children, was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2022 for defrauding investors in Theranos. Despite her conviction, Holmes stated in a recent interview her continued commitment to making affordable healthcare solutions accessible to all.

Jim Breyer, an early investor in Facebook, revealed to The Times that his team was approached about investing in Haemanthus but declined, citing similar concerns that led them to twice pass on Theranos.