Remember Theranos's Finger-Prick Blood Tests? These Firms Have Brought Elizabeth Holmes' Failed Dream To Life

The dream of Theranos for finger-prick blood tests is now a reality, thanks to the efforts of rival companies. In Austin, Texas, people who fear needles can now undergo routine medical tests using just a few drops of blood from their fingertips.

What Happened: Firms like Becton Dickinson and Babson Diagnostics have been working on technologies to overcome the hurdles that led to Theranos’s downfall. These companies have introduced their finger-prick blood tests in Austin, Texas, marking a significant departure from the traditional method of drawing blood from a vein, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

See Also: What’s Going On With Eli Lilly Today?

Despite the controversy surrounding Theranos and its founder Elizabeth Holmes, the demand for less invasive and quicker alternatives to standard blood draws persisted. The handheld device from Becton and the sample-handling machine from Babson are the first of their kind to reach the market. Other companies such as Drawbridge Health and Truvian Health are also working on similar devices.

Why It Matters: The new finger-prick blood tests are a game-changer for individuals who fear needles or struggle with traditional blood draws. These tests are less painful, quicker, and can be administered by pharmacists, making them more accessible. Moreover, they use significantly less blood, reducing waste and making the process more efficient. Holmes, the disgraced founder of Theranos, had a similar vision but her company’s downfall came after the promised revolutionary blood-testing technology was revealed to be non-existent.

As these tests gain popularity, companies like Becton and Babson must prove their accuracy and reliability to earn the trust of doctors and patients. Both companies have stated that clinical studies show their finger-prick blood tests are clinically equivalent to standard venous tests and plan to publish their results in a medical journal.

Read Next:

• VIX Stages Double-Digit Spike As Risk Off Takes Over; Chipmakers Fail To Rebound, Weight Loss Giants Eli Lilly, Novo Tumble: What’s Driving Markets Thursday?

Image via Shutterstock

This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari