Billy Evans, the partner of disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, is working on a new startup that has raised eyebrows in the health tech industry. According to a report by The New York Times, Evans' new venture, called Haemanthus, aims to deliver "human health optimization" through blood testing, a concept that eerily echoes the failed promises of Theranos.

Haemanthus reportedly plans to use a machine that analyzes blood, saliva, and urine samples using lasers to detect cancer and infections. The company's marketing materials claim that it will start by focusing on pet health before expanding to human health, and it is seeking to raise more than $50 million in funding. However, the similarities between Haemanthus' pitch and that of Theranos have sparked concerns among investors and industry experts.

Theranos, founded by Elizabeth Holmes, promised to revolutionize healthcare by conducting a wide range of medical tests on tiny amounts of blood drawn from pricked fingers. However, the company's claims were later revealed to be false, and Holmes was sentenced to 11 years in prison for defrauding investors. Evans, who has two children with Holmes, has been involved in the development of Haemanthus, raising questions about whether the new startup is simply a rehashing of the same flawed concept.

Early Facebook investor Jim Breyer, who was approached by Haemanthus for investment, told The Times that his team declined the opportunity, citing concerns similar to those that led them to pass on Theranos twice. Breyer's comments suggest that Haemananus may face an uphill battle in convincing investors to back its venture, given the lingering skepticism surrounding Theranos.

Despite the controversy surrounding Haemanthus, Evans' new startup has sparked a wider conversation about the role of technology in healthcare and the need for greater scrutiny of health tech startups. As the industry continues to grapple with the fallout from Theranos, Haemanthus' emergence serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous testing and validation of new healthcare technologies.

It remains to be seen whether Haemanthus will be able to overcome the skepticism surrounding its launch and deliver on its promises of "human health optimization." However, one thing is clear: the health tech industry will be watching Evans' new venture closely, and any missteps could have significant consequences for the industry as a whole.

In the meantime, Elizabeth Holmes, who remains "completely committed to my dream of making affordable healthcare solutions available to everyone," according to a recent interview, will likely be watching Haemanthus' progress with great interest. Whether Haemanthus will be able to succeed where Theranos failed remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the health tech industry will be holding its breath.