In a surprising turn of events, Billy Evans, the partner of convicted Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, is reportedly building a new blood testing startup aimed at transforming human health optimization. The revelation, first reported by The New York Times, indicates that Evans has already begun fundraising for the venture, pitching the idea to multiple biotech investors.
According to sources close to the matter, the new startup focuses on leveraging advanced blood diagnostics to improve long-term wellness, early disease detection, and personal health metrics. While the startup’s name and full technical scope remain under wraps, the project is said to aim at redefining preventive medicine and bio-individual health insights.
A bold move amid the Theranos legacy
The news comes less than a year after Elizabeth Holmes began serving her 11-year sentence for fraud related to her now-defunct company Theranos, which falsely claimed to revolutionize blood testing with just a finger-prick. Holmes’ spectacular rise and fall became a cautionary tale in Silicon Valley, making Evans’ entry into the same space both controversial and bold.
Evans, who married Holmes in a private ceremony in 2019 and has since stayed mostly out of the public eye, is now attempting to step out of her shadow with a vision of ethical innovation. According to The New York Times, at least two investors were pitched a plan focused on delivering human health optimization through regular blood analysis, wearable data integration, and AI-driven wellness recommendations.
Tech world reacts to familiar ambitions
The reaction from the biotech and startup community has been mixed. Some view Evans' ambition as a potential redemptive arc, while others caution that the ghost of Theranos may loom too large for any venture linked to its founder’s inner circle.
“While the promise of optimizing health through blood diagnostics is not new, the credibility of anyone connected to the Theranos story is naturally under scrutiny,” one investor, who chose to remain anonymous, told a major news outlet.
Despite the skepticism, there’s also intrigue. Personalized health tracking and biomarker analysis remain booming sectors within the health tech industry, with companies like InsideTracker, Levels, and Viome gaining traction. If Evans can successfully deliver a transparent and science-backed platform, the startup could potentially carve out a niche among the growing demand for proactive healthcare.
No direct comment from Evans or Holmes
Neither Billy Evans nor Elizabeth Holmes have released a public statement regarding the report. Legal experts and PR strategists say that Evans’ future in biotech will heavily depend on how he addresses public trust and distinguishes his project from the failed promises of Theranos.
A startup built on data transparency, third-party validation, and scientific integrity would be essential for gaining investor confidence and user adoption. In the absence of Holmes’ involvement, Evans may be able to position the venture as a new chapter in responsible innovation.