Billy Evans's Haemanthus, the Laser Blood-Testing Startup He Insists Is 'Not Theranos 2.0'
Founded in 2022 by Billy Evans, Haemanthus seeks to introduce at-home testing for blood, urine, and saliva through a countertop device. Evans, who is married to Elizabeth Holmes, insists that the initiative is "not Theranos 2.0," emphasizing that Holmes does not play a role, as her name is not listed in the incorporation documents. Nonetheless, in a documentary, he reveals that he collaborated on a prototype with Holmes during her incarceration. The company received a patent for its Raman Spectroscopy System on January 21, 2025. Funding has surged from $3.5 million to $20 million. While marketing claims "no regulatory oversight," vet diagnostics fall under USDA regulation. Holmes is anticipated to transition to a halfway house next summer.
Key facts
- Haemanthus was founded by Billy Evans in 2022 and has released no products
- Elizabeth Holmes's name does not appear in any of the company's incorporation documents
- A patent for the company's Raman Spectroscopy System was granted January 21, 2025
- Funding rose from a $3.5 million friends-and-family round to as much as $20 million
- UC Irvine professor Eric Potma, a consultant to the firm, said Haemanthus "is not Theranos"
- The USDA told The New York Times it has regulatory oversight of veterinary diagnostics
- Evans met Holmes at a 2017 Fleet Week charity event in the Bay Area at age 25
- Investors were told a wearable version would require "three years and $70 million"
Entities
Artists
- Elizabeth Holmes
- Billy Evans
- Nathan Fielder
- Lance Oppenheim
- David Friedberg
- C. V. Raman
- Eric Potma
- William Evans
- Anne Evans
- Invicta Evans
Institutions
- Theranos
- Haemanthus
- The Wall Street Journal
- WIRED
- The New York Times
- All-In
- Luminar Technologies
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Francis Parker School
- UC Irvine
- USDA
- NPR
Locations
- San Diego
- United States
- Austin
- Texas
- Mission Bay
- La Jolla
- California
- Bay Area
- Barton Springs
- Canada