Random Most Obviously BS Claims Theranos And Elizabeth Holmes (13 items)

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  (#3) Theranos Created A Device That Could Run Multiple Tests From A Finger Prick

  What Theranos said: Holmes claimed her blood testing device, the Edison, could run a multitude of blood tests from a single finger prick in what the company called a "nanotainer." Traditionally, blood testing requires several vials. 

  The reality: The Edison, which was later dubbed the miniLab, never actually worked. Blood testing requires more than a finger prick to accurately detect disease. According to Dr. George Yaghmour, a hematologist at USC's Keck School of Medicine, "If you talk about culture and infection, then you need a specific amount of blood." In other words, the idea that only a drop would be sufficient in identifying illness is outrageous. 
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  (#7) Theranos's Technology Was Ready To Roll Out In Walgreen Stores

  What Theranos said: The company claimed its products were ready to be placed in stores all across the country. Walgreens invested heavily in Theranos, who rolled out "wellness centers" equipped with Theranos technology in about 45 stores, mainly in Arizona.
  
  The reality: Since the faulty Edison machines could not be placed in stores, blood drawn in wellness centers was sent back to a Theranos lab to be processed. Some patients even proceeded with traditional blood draws. Their vials were shipped to Theranos, who used standardized machines rather than their "groundbreaking" invention. The tests were sometimes inaccurate. 

  Walgreens terminated its contract with Theranos in 2016 and sued the company for $140 million. The suit was settled for less than $30 million a year later. 
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  (#4) Theranos's Projected Revenue For 2015 Was $1 Billion

  What Theranos said: Theranos COO Sunny Balwani and Holmes told investors Theranos was on track to make $1 billion in 2015 after generating $100 million in 2014. 

  The reality: According to the SEC filing against Theranos, "This information had no basis." Theranos made only $100,000 in 2014. While Balwani was giving these inflated projections to investors, the company was hemorrhaging almost $9 million a month. 
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  (#6) Elizabeth Holmes Said Theranos Did Not Need FDA Approval

  What Theranos said: Holmes told investors and employees they didn't need FDA approval for their diagnostic tests.
  
  The reality: Theranos did need approval, but managed to avoid FDA intervention. The company hid the equipment they knew didn't work during FDA inspections. They also used a loophole by designating their technology as "lab-developed tests," which allowed them to move ahead without official approval.

  The FDA approved just one test for herpes, but a Theranos employee filed a complaint against it saying it was "tainted by breaches in research protocol." 
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  (#10) Holmes Was Devastated By Her Uncle's Passing

  What Elizabeth Holmes said: Holmes was very open about how devastated she was when she lost her uncle to cancer. His passing allegedly inspired her work at Theranos. She said her technology was supposed to "create a world in which no one has to say goodbye too soon."
  
  The reality: While the Holmes family did visit Ron Dietz - the husband of Elizabeth's mother's sister - Holmes was not nearly as close to him as she claimed. According to Bad Blood author John Carreyrou, "To family members who knew the reality of their relationship, using his [passing] to promote her company felt phony and exploitative." 
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  (#12) Holmes's Voice Is Unusually Low

  What Elizabeth Holmes said: One of Holmes most notable qualities is her deep, baritone voice. She says the voice is completely natural, though many speculate she fakes her vocal range in an attempt to appear more authoritative. 
  
  The reality: Holmes's voice has occasionally slipped into a higher register in recorded interviews and in conversation with those around her. Dr. Phyllis Gardner, one of Holmes's professors at Stanford, said:

  When [Holmes] came to me, she didn’t have a low voice. When I next saw her again was at the Harvard Medical School board meeting where she was being introduced. It was quite off.

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