Latest news with #Haemanthus
Hans India
20-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
A few drops of blood, saliva or urine can help detect illnesses
In the 2000s, biotech company Theranos promised to revolutionise blood testing. Founder Elizabeth Holmes claimed Theranos technology could perform hundreds of tests using just a finger-prick drop of blood. If true, their diagnostics would be faster, cheaper and more accessible. Theranos raised hundreds of millions of dollars from investors and was valued at more than $nine billion in 2015. However, the technology never worked, leading to one of the biggest scandals in biotech history. Theranos was secretly using traditional machines to run many tests, then claiming the results came from its own (non-functional) device. Holmes was eventually convicted of fraud and sentenced to 11 years in prison. Today, a new startup, Haemanthus, claims to have developed a similar technology. Co-founded by Billy Evans (Holmes' partner), this new company says it can detect and diagnose illnesses using tiny amounts of blood, urine, or even saliva. While technology has advanced since Theranos' time, it's important to consider these claims carefully. Clinicians and lab techs can currently detect many conditions with blood, and some with urine or saliva. These are important tools in modern medicine. However, the volumes required are usually much greater than a few drops or a dab. What can blood detect? Blood circulates through all organs, transporting cells, nutrients, hormones and waste products. Blood tests collect several millilitres of blood from a vein and send this to a laboratory for analysis. Blood tests can check if a person has signs of infection or disease, to monitor organ function, or to show how a person is responding to medical treatment. Blood tests are widely used to monitor heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or deficiencies in iron or vitamins. A significant proportion of medical decisions are based on laboratory analysis of blood tests. Making them more affordable and accessible would have great benefits. What about urine? Urine is produced by the kidneys and contains waste filtered from the blood. The colour and composition of urine gives you a snapshot of any problems the body might be trying to fix. Urine analysis can detect urinary tract infections, kidney disorders, diabetes and liver diseases by measuring sugars, proteins and cells. As urine tests are non-invasive and easy to administer, they can be used to quickly screen for some conditions. However, factors such as how much you've had to drink and what you've eaten can influence urine composition, potentially affecting test results. Saliva can also be used for diagnoses Saliva is the clear, watery liquid produced by salivary glands in the mouth. It's mostly water (around 99 per cent), but also contains various substances such as hormones, antibodies, enzymes, DNA, RNA and metabolites. Saliva testing is already used in clinical settings to detect HIV antibodies, monitor levels of cortisol (a marker of stress) and to diagnose viral infections such as Covid-19. The potential of saliva as another non-invasive diagnostic tool is growing, especially as researchers identify more markers of disease that it can contain. However, saliva production varies between individuals. The composition of saliva can be impacted by what you eat and drink, the time of day, or even stress. These variations can limit how consistent and reliable saliva can be for making a diagnosis. But how much of it do you need? While diagnosing diseases using bodily fluids isn't new, Haemanthus and other startups differentiate themselves by aiming (and claiming) to need only small amounts for multiple tests: a drop of blood, a swab of saliva, or a few milliliters of urine. This would mean faster, cheaper, more convenient tests that cause less discomfort. But there are physical limitations of small samples. Many diagnostic markers (called biomarkers) are only present in very low amounts in our body fluids. When the sample amount decreases, so will biomarkers, thereby making it difficult to detect them reliably. This is particularly true for biomarkers such as hormones, cancer markers, or early-stage disease indicators. What can you detect with a few drops? Of course, some conditions can be diagnosed using small samples, but generally only one condition is tested for with each small sample, unlike the claims of companies like Theranos. Finger-prick blood samples, for example, can monitor blood glucose levels of people with diabetes. Small urine samples can detect urinary tract infections, but not all types of infections at once. The specific biomarkers for these conditions can be reliably detectable in small amounts of fluid. To diagnose more complex conditions, or even unknown conditions, multiple tests may be required, each needing different sample preparations. This requires both volume and precision – two things tests with small sample volumes struggle to deliver. What happens next? While the idea of diagnosing illnesses with small fluid samples is promising, especially for remote or resource-limited settings, the science suggests we should be cautious. Most human diseases are complicated, and we usually need comprehensive testing approaches to diagnose them. Relying only on small fluid samples could lead to misdiagnosis, delayed treatments, or unnecessary interventions. Innovations in biosensor technology, machine learning algorithms and biomarker discovery continue to advance the field. And one day, fast and reliable small volume testing may be possible. However, a lot more peer-reviewed research and regulatory approvals will be essential to ensure patient safety and diagnostic accuracy. (The writers are from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
You usually need more than a few drops of blood, saliva or urine to detect illnesses. Here's why
Melbourne: In the 2000s, biotech company Theranos promised to revolutionise blood testing . Founder Elizabeth Holmes claimed Theranos technology could perform hundreds of tests using just a finger-prick drop of blood. If true, their diagnostics would be faster, cheaper and more accessible. Theranos raised hundreds of millions of dollars from investors and was valued at more than USD 9 billion in 2015. However, the technology never worked, leading to one of the biggest scandals in biotech history. Theranos was secretly using traditional machines to run many tests, then claiming the results came from its own (non-functional) device. Holmes was eventually convicted of fraud and sentenced to 11 years in prison. Today, a new startup, Haemanthus, claims to have developed a similar technology. Co-founded by Billy Evans (Holmes' partner), this new company says it can detect and diagnose illnesses using tiny amounts of blood, urine, or even saliva. While technology has advanced since Theranos' time, it's important to consider these claims carefully. Clinicians and lab techs can currently detect many conditions with blood, and some with urine or saliva. These are important tools in modern medicine. However, the volumes required are usually much greater than a few drops or a dab. What can blood detect? Blood circulates through all organs, transporting cells, nutrients, hormones and waste products. Blood tests collect several millilitres of blood from a vein and send this to a laboratory for analysis. Blood tests can check if a person has signs of infection or disease, to monitor organ function, or to show how a person is responding to medical treatment. Blood tests are widely used to monitor heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or deficiencies in iron or vitamins. A significant proportion of medical decisions are based on laboratory analysis of blood tests. Making them more affordable and accessible would have great benefits. What about urine? Urine is produced by the kidneys and contains waste filtered from the blood. The colour and composition of urine gives you a snapshot of any problems the body might be trying to fix. Urine analysis can detect urinary tract infections, kidney disorders, diabetes and liver diseases by measuring sugars, proteins and cells. As urine tests are non-invasive and easy to administer, they can be used to quickly screen for some conditions. However, factors such as how much you've had to drink and what you've eaten can influence urine composition, potentially affecting test results. Saliva can also be used for diagnoses Saliva is the clear, watery liquid produced by salivary glands in the mouth. It's mostly water (around 99 per cent), but also contains various substances such as hormones, antibodies, enzymes, DNA, RNA and metabolites. Saliva testing is already used in clinical settings to detect HIV antibodies, monitor levels of cortisol (a marker of stress) and to diagnose viral infections such as COVID. The potential of saliva as another non-invasive diagnostic tool is growing, especially as researchers identify more markers of disease that it can contain. However, saliva production varies between individuals. The composition of saliva can be impacted by what you eat and drink, the time of day, or even stress. These variations can limit how consistent and reliable saliva can be for making a diagnosis. But how much of it do you need? While diagnosing diseases using bodily fluids isn't new, Haemanthus and other startups differentiate themselves by aiming (and claiming) to need only small amounts for multiple tests: a drop of blood, a swab of saliva, or a few milliliters of urine. This would mean faster, cheaper, more convenient tests that cause less discomfort. But there are physical limitations of small samples. Many diagnostic markers (called biomarkers) are only present in very low amounts in our body fluids. When the sample amount decreases, so do the amounts of the biomarkers, making it harder to detect them reliably. This is particularly true for biomarkers such as hormones, cancer markers, or early-stage disease indicators. What can you detect with a few drops? Of course, some conditions can be diagnosed using small samples, but generally only one condition is tested for with each small sample, unlike the claims of companies like Theranos. Finger-prick blood samples, for example, can monitor blood glucose levels of people with diabetes. Small urine samples can detect urinary tract infections, but not all types of infections at once. The specific biomarkers for these conditions can be reliably detectable in small amounts of fluid. To diagnose more complex conditions, or even unknown conditions, multiple tests may be required, each needing different sample preparations. This requires both volume and precision - two things tests with small sample volumes struggle to deliver. What happens next? While the idea of diagnosing illnesses with small fluid samples is promising, especially for remote or resource-limited settings, the science suggests we should be cautious. Most human diseases are complicated, and we usually need comprehensive testing approaches to diagnose them. Relying only on small fluid samples could lead to misdiagnosis, delayed treatments, or unnecessary interventions. Innovations in biosensor technology, machine learning algorithms and biomarker discovery continue to advance the field. And one day, fast and reliable small volume testing may be possible. However, a lot more peer-reviewed research and regulatory approvals will be essential to ensure patient safety and diagnostic accuracy. (The Conversation)
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Every drop counts
blood testing Elizabeth Holmes Urine analysis Sarah Diepstraten In the 2000s, biotech company Theranos promised to revolutionise. Founderclaimed Theranos technology could perform hundreds of tests using just a finger-prick drop of blood. If true, their diagnostics would be faster, cheaper and more raised hundreds of millions of dollars from investors and was valued at more than USD 9 billion in the technology never worked, leading to one of the biggest scandals in biotech history. Theranos was secretly using traditional machines to run many tests, then claiming the results came from its own (non-functional) device. Holmes was eventually convicted of fraud and sentenced to 11 years in a new startup, Haemanthus, claims to have developed a similar technology. Co-founded by Billy Evans (Holmes' partner), this new company says it can detect and diagnose illnesses using tiny amounts of blood, urine, or even technology has advanced since Theranos' time, it's important to consider these claims and lab techs can currently detect many conditions with blood, and some with urine or saliva. These are important tools in modern medicine. However, the volumes required are usually much greater than a few drops or a circulates through all organs, transporting cells, nutrients, hormones and waste products. Blood tests collect several millilitres of blood from a vein and send this to a laboratory for tests can check if a person has signs of infection or disease, to monitor organ function, or to show how a person is responding to medical treatment. Blood tests are widely used to monitor heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or deficiencies in iron or vitamins.A significant proportion of medical decisions are based on laboratory analysis of blood tests. Making them more affordable and accessible would have great is produced by the kidneys and contains waste filtered from the blood. The colour and composition of urine gives you a snapshot of any problems the body might be trying to detect urinary tract infections, kidney disorders, diabetes and liver diseases by measuring sugars, proteins and urine tests are non-invasive and easy to administer, they can be used to quickly screen for some factors such as how much you've had to drink and what you've eaten can influence urine composition, potentially affecting test is the clear, watery liquid produced by salivary glands in the mouth. It's mostly water (around 99 per cent), but also contains various substances such as hormones, antibodies, enzymes, DNA, RNA and testing is already used in clinical settings to detect HIV antibodies, monitor levels of cortisol (a marker of stress) and to diagnoseviral infections such as potential of saliva as another non-invasive diagnostic tool is growing, especially as researchers identify more markers of disease that it can saliva production varies between individuals. The composition of saliva can be impacted by what you eat and drink, the time of day, or even stress. These variations can limit how consistent and reliable saliva can be for making a diagnosing diseases using bodily fluids isn't new, Haemanthus and other startups differentiate themselves by aiming (and claiming) to need only small amounts for multiple tests: a drop of blood, a swab of saliva, or a few milliliters of urine. This would mean faster, cheaper, more convenient tests that cause less there are physical limitations of small samples. Many diagnostic markers (called biomarkers) are only present in very low amounts in our body the sample amount decreases, so do the amounts of the biomarkers, making it harder to detect them reliably. This is particularly true for biomarkers such as hormones, cancer markers, or early-stage disease course, some conditions can be diagnosed using small samples, but generally only one condition is tested for with each small sample, unlike the claims of companies like blood samples, for example, can monitor blood glucose levels of people with urine samples can detect urinary tract infections, but not all types of infections at specific biomarkers for these conditions can be reliably detectable in small amounts of diagnose more complex conditions, or even unknown conditions, multiple tests may be required, each needing different sample preparations. This requires both volume and precision – two things tests with small sample volumes struggle to the idea of diagnosing illnesses with small fluid samples is promising, especially for remote or resource-limited settings, the science suggests we should be human diseases are complicated, and we usually need comprehensive testing approaches to diagnose them. Relying only on small fluid samples could lead to misdiagnosis, delayed treatments, or unnecessary in biosensor technology, machine learning algorithms and biomarker discovery continue to advance the field. And one day, fast and reliable small volume testing may be a lot more peer-reviewed research and regulatory approvals will be essential to ensure patient safety and diagnostic accuracy.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Our Approach Is Fundamentally Different'—Says Partner Of Elizabeth Holmes As He Launches A Blood-Testing Startup, Reportedly Gets Funding
Billy Evans, the partner of imprisoned Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, is raising millions of dollars for a new health-tech startup that's already drawing comparisons to Holmes' failed venture. His company, called Haemanthus, says it is creating AI-powered diagnostic tools that use light to analyze blood, saliva, and urine samples. Despite the similarities to Theranos, Evans is adamant that the comparison stops there. Don't Miss: 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — "We're Haemanthus. Yes, our CEO, Billy Evans, is Elizabeth Holmes' partner. Skepticism is rational. We must clear a higher bar," the company said in a statement on X, directly addressing public concerns. "This is not Theranos 2.0. Theranos attempted to miniaturize existing tests. Our approach is fundamentally different."The company says it uses photonics and AI to detect disease earlier and more accurately. In follow-up posts, Haemanthus continued: 'The science, when ready, will stand on its own merits. But we feel compelled to introduce ourselves because of recent media coverage.' 'Setting the record straight. Elizabeth Holmes has zero involvement in Haemanthus. We've learned from her company's mistakes, but she has no role, now or future.' Trending: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — Haemanthus, named after the blood lily flower, was incorporated in February 2024 and is still in early development. It reportedly raised around $3.5 million from friends and family and is seeking up to $50 million more. According to the New York Times, some high-profile investors have already passed on the opportunity, while others have committed close to investing. The company builds on Raman spectroscopy, which it calls 'a proven technique with decades of research.' Haemanthus says it's using the method to scan biological samples on a molecular level using lasers, paired with deep learning models to detect cancer, Parkinson's, and other diseases. "We're making lab technology accessible through modern lasers and AI," the company said. "Think mainframe-to-PC transformation. Faster. Smaller. Accessible." Evans, an heir to a hotel fortune, lives in Austin, Texas, with Holmes and their two children. He has not publicly acknowledged Holmes' involvement, but media reports speculate she may be advising him from prison, where she is serving an 11-year sentence for defrauding investors. Haemanthus' materials do not mention Holmes, and the company insists she has 'zero involvement.' Holmes, meanwhile, told People magazine earlier this year that she plans to return to biotech after her release in startup's prototype resembles Theranos' miniLab, according to The Times, which accessed the marketing materials. It has a digital display and internal lasers. It plans to begin by testing pets before expanding to humans. The company told investors its long-term goal is to develop a stamp-sized wearable version of the device for people. Haemanthus claims it is not subject to regulatory oversight for its veterinary diagnostics, citing a redacted U.S. Department of Agriculture document. However, a USDA spokesperson told The Times the agency does regulate veterinary diagnostics and could not confirm the company's claim. Much of the Haemanthus team comes from Luminar, a self-driving tech company where Evans previously worked. 'Our co-founders have decades of experience in photonics, medicine, and AI. Our technical team scaled Luminar's laser systems to production,' the company wrote. Haemanthus remains in stealth mode, and Evans has been vague about specifics. "When you're in stealth, you're trying to be in stealth. They aren't going to find anything associated with the name Haemanthus," he told the Times. Still, the company is leaning into the scrutiny. "We've learned from her company's mistakes, but she has no role, now or future," Haemanthus said. As for why the company is starting with animals, Haemanthus said, "Not because it's easier, but because it's practical and meaningful. It validates our technology, helps animals who can't describe symptoms, and builds the foundation for human applications." Read Next:Inspired by Uber and Airbnb – Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets – UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article 'Our Approach Is Fundamentally Different'—Says Partner Of Elizabeth Holmes As He Launches A Blood-Testing Startup, Reportedly Gets Funding originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Elizabeth Holmes' boyfriend launches biotech company startup
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Elizabeth Holmes is still locked up in prison for defrauding investors who believed in her biotech startup company, Theranos. The disgraced entrepreneur pitched her company's technology with promises of revolutionizing blood testing in America. Theranos' rapid demise rocked Silicon Valley. 'This is a fraud case where an exciting venture went forward with great expectations and hope only to be dashed by untruth, misrepresentations, hubris, and plain lies,' a federal judge who sentenced Holmes said. Holmes' ex-boyfriend, Sunny Balwani, is serving a 13-year sentence for his role in the Theranos conspiracy scandal, while Holmes is serving 11 years. Billy Evans, Holmes' current boyfriend who attended every day of Holmes' months-long trial in San Jose, recently stepped back into national news headlines. In additional to raising their two young children, Evans is busy these days serving as CEO of a new biotech startup company, named Haemanthus. Haemanthus revealed on X May 11, 'Yes, our CEO, Billy Evans, is Elizabeth Holmes' partner. This is not Theranos 2.0. Theranos attempted to miniaturize existing tests. Our approach is fundamentally different. We use light to read the complete molecular story in biological fluids, seeing patterns current tests can't detect. Skepticism is rational. We must clear a higher bar. The science, when ready, will stand on its own merits.' Haemanthus' X post continued, 'Elizabeth Holmes has zero involvement in Haemanthus. We've learned from her company's mistakes, but she has no role, now or future.' Holmes is incarcerated at Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas. Haemanthus is based in Austin, Texas, about a two-hour drive west from the famous inmate's prison cell. Before she was sent to prison, 41-year-old Holmes lived in Woodside with Evans. Evans' new company claims to be developing 'the world's first AI-native sensors for health. Our technology captures thousands of biomarkers simultaneously. We use Raman spectroscopy, which researchers use to detect cancers, Parkinson's, and COVID. We're making lab technology accessible through modern lasers and AI.' Investors who were approached by Haemanthus told the New York Times that Evans' startup is trying to raise more than $50 million. A jury found Holmes guilty in 2022 of defrauding wealthy and sophisticated investors who poured hundreds of millions of dollars into Theranos before it imploded. Meanwhile, Holmes is earning 31 cents an hour working as a law clerk for her fellow inmates in Federal Prison Camp Bryan. In her only interview from behind bars, Holmes told People magazine, 'So many of these women don't have anyone, and once they're in there, they're forgotten. Human beings are not made to be in cells.' Elizabeth Holmes reveals her new goals from behind bars Holmes passes the time by reading books, attending therapy sessions, and writing patents for new inventions. She also hasn't given up on her dream of getting back to her career in biotech, People magazine reported. 'There is not a day I have not continued to work on my research and inventions. I remain completely committed to my dream of making affordable healthcare solutions available to everyone,' Holmes said in the interview. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
