ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Billy Evans's Haemanthus, the Laser Blood-Testing Startup He Insists Is 'Not Theranos 2.0'

other · 2026-10-19

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
  • LinkedIn
  • 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

Sources