The startup Haemanthus, associated with Elizabeth Holmes and Billy Evans, is developing a diagnostic device utilizing laser-based Raman spectroscopy. The company aims to scan blood, saliva, or urine samples from pets before potentially expanding to human applications. Its long-term objective is to create a stamp-sized wearable device for humans, a project estimated to require three years and $70 million.
The company currently operates in stealth mode with between two and 10 employees, according to its LinkedIn page. While Evans claimed in 2023 that a prototype would be ready within a year, the project remains in development as of 2026. The startup has not published peer-reviewed research, a practice that contrasts with established health tech firms like Apple, Google, and Oura.
Raman spectroscopy, the core technology behind Haemanthus, was discovered in 1928 and is used to identify chemical structures. While researchers explore its potential for cancer and glucose monitoring, medical experts emphasize that technology is not a panacea. Developing medical devices involves complex regulatory processes that often span years, regardless of advancements in artificial intelligence.
The history of medical diagnostics shows that innovation is a slow, resource-intensive process. For example, the first real-time continuous glucose monitor was not available until 2004, decades after initial research began. The development of the COVID-19 vaccine, which took 10 months, relied on three decades of foundational research and tens of billions of dollars in government funding.
