Health Tech Legacy Continues: Elizabeth Holmes's Co-Founder Announces New Diagnostic Start-Up

In 2025, the biotech world is abuzz again—and not with a fresh vaccine or wearable health monitor. This time, it's the shocking return of a vintage concept: transforming blood testing.

Next-gen blood testing device for fast, affordable diagnostics in 2025

The surprise? This vision is being resurrected not by Elizabeth Holmes herself, but by Daniel Baker, a former Theranos senior engineer and one who was once counted among Holmes's closest collaborators. His new venture, Lucent Diagnostics, is reimagining the idea of low-cost, rapid, and precise blood testing, with a contemporary, open, and tech-savvy spin.

Let's get into the tale of how one man is attempting to restore faith in an idea that once enthralled the world—and fell hard.

A New Chapter After Theranos

The Theranos name still elicits a powerful response—part inspiration, part cautionary story. Theranos had vowed to disrupt blood diagnostics with a mere finger prick, but what the world has come to learn is that the technology didn't exist, and the consequences were huge. It left investors burned, scientists disillusioned, and patients betrayed.

But here in 2025, the vision behind Theranos—the promise of fast, cheap blood testing—remains valid. Daniel Baker thinks it's worth saving.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, Baker said, "We learned what went wrong. We learned from it. Now we're doing it the right way—with science, transparency, and accountability."

Meet Lucent Diagnostics

San Diego-based Lucent Diagnostics is Baker's response to the failed promises of the past. The company is working on a portable blood test device that will provide real-time results from a single drop of blood. Contrary to its notorious predecessor, Lucent is establishing its platform on vetted science, peer-reviewed studies, and open interaction with regulatory agencies.

This is what Lucent says its technology can do:

1. Provide lab-quality blood test results within 20 minutes.

2. Identify as many as 50 health indicators, such as early cancers, metabolic disorders, and infectious diseases.

    c. Implement AI-driven algorithms for improved diagnostic precision.

    d. Utilized in pharmacies, clinics, and remote locations without the need for traditional lab facilities.

With aspirations so lofty, all eyes are on Lucent—can it do what Theranos couldn't?

 Financing and Public Interest

Thus far, the startup is off to a good beginning. Lucent Diagnostics has raised $42 million in Series A funding, backed by healthtech-focused venture capital firms and some former Theranos critics.

Investors are wagering on two things:

    1. The pressing worldwide need for quicker, less expensive diagnostics.

    2. The hope that the concept behind Theranos wasn't flawed, just the execution.

“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel,” says Dr. Marissa Lee, Lucent’s Chief Scientific Officer. “We’re just finally making the wheel work.”

Learn more about the future of diagnostics—click here!

How It Works: The Tech Behind the Promise

Lucent’s device uses a nano-sensor array that analyzes blood samples in real time. Combined with AI-driven diagnostic software, it can identify anomalies and biomarkers that indicate potential health risks.

Contrary to Theranos, Lucent is not developing a black box that conceals its process. The firm is making its studies public, cooperating with FDA advisers, and executing independent clinical studies through collaborations with Stanford, UC San Diego, and Johns Hopkins.

The openness is welcome—and maybe needed—in light of history.

Confronting the Elephant in the Room: Theranos

Let's be honest: any startup that tries to enter the universe of blood diagnostics in 2025 will necessarily have the specter of Theranos hanging over it.

But Baker doesn't avoid it. He views it as part of the process.

"I was part of the Theranos story," he admits. "I saw the mistakes up close. And I believe we owe it to science—and to the public—to get it right this time."

He explains that Lucent's workforce is made up of individuals who've previously worked at the FDA, in research institutions, and international health organizations. "This is not a cult of personality. This is a shared effort based in reality."

Why It Matters in 2025

After COVID, the healthcare landscape has changed. There is an increased need for at-home testing, decentralized diagnostics, and prevention-based healthcare devices. Lucent is hoping to slot right into that change.

Consider how glucose meters revolutionized the management of diabetes. Lucent also aims to revolutionize routine diagnostics—enabling diagnosis to be easier, faster, and less expensive before problems become severe.

"We want to take healthcare to people, not have people run after healthcare," says Lee.

Cautious Optimism from Experts

Industry watchers are closely monitoring Lucent. Although the past is not to be discounted, most people think that this new era of diagnostic innovation is distinct, particularly when spearheaded by groups focused on openness, scientific discipline, and regulatory collaboration.

Healthtech analyst for BioMonitor Group Dr. Anna Corwin commented, "If Lucent can fulfill even 70% of the promises, it will be a game-changer for primary care, rural medicine, and even global health initiatives."

Is Lucent Diagnostics the Real Deal?

Of course, time will tell. Lucent still has to make it through FDA approvals, large-scale testing, and public trust. But early signs are that they're doing things very differently from Theranos.

They're not concealing their lab data. They're collaborating with actual scientists. And—most importantly—they're not rushing to market with half-cooked tech.

If Lucent gets it right, it might be the redemption story that biotech so desperately needs. Second chance for an excellent idea—executed properly.

 

Conclusion: A New Era for Blood Testing?

Lucent Diagnostics will forever be associated with the shadow of Theranos, but it's evident that they're making their history. With a focus on transparency, innovation, and integrity, the startup is set to break the mold of what contemporary diagnostics can provide.

Whether it becomes a household name or not, one thing's for sure: the vision of cheap, easy blood testing isn't dead. It may just be getting started again, with a little more wisdom this time.