Live data from Hacker News

U.S. Bans Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes from Operating Labs for Two Years

wsj.com

21–30 of 280 posts

Re: U.S. Bans Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes from Operating Labs for Two Years

#21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

click web > go to article from google

I have read the article (there was no 'web' button but some other comment posted a working link). Still have no idea what Theranos is or what they have done. Apparently they worked fro Walgreen or something?

> Still have no idea what Theranos is or what they have done

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theranos#Controversies

Re: U.S. Bans Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes from Operating Labs for Two Years

#22

I wonder how long she will be able to hold the CEO position?

well the bar is "owning, operating, or directing" a lab. She can appeal and that would delay it.. but when this takes effect, it sounds like she's out.

But does "operating a lab" mean the same thing as being the CEO of Theranos?

Re: U.S. Bans Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes from Operating Labs for Two Years

#23
post #13

The WSJ article and the Theranos press release [1] don't agree. There's no mention of the 2-year ban in the press release. The press release indicates it's business as usual for Theranos at their Arizona lab. Supposedly only their Newark (CA) lab is being shut down. [1] http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160707006570/en/Ther...

It's the first point in the sidebar:

Revocation of the laboratory’s CLIA certificate which, as dictated by the regulations, includes a prohibition on owners and operators of the lab from owning, operating or directing a lab for at least two years from the date of revocation

But yes.. they really didn't care to expand on that at all... or explain how it would impact their business.

Re: U.S. Bans Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes from Operating Labs for Two Years

#24
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On the one hand, hopefully not long, as she can't provide any effective leadership with this in place. However, my understanding is that Theranos has an unusual corporate structure that gives Holmes control of most of the votes, so if she doesn't want to leave, I don't know if anyone can force her.

Seems like an odd arrangement for investors to agree to, one I am sure they are currently regretting...

Yup. I'm pretty bearish on tricky corporate structure. I think a lot of the existing norms evolved for a reason, and exist to prevent people pulling these sorts of shenanigans. Board oversight isn't always a bad thing.

Re: U.S. Bans Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes from Operating Labs for Two Years

#25
post #5

Hear that? That's the sound of $9B in valuation disappearing :| There is really a thin line between delusion and brilliance.

It's quite strange, how easy it is to build a valuation

just grow up with a sliver spoon in your mouth and have daddy/mommy sell all their incredibly wealthy and powerful friends/contacts on the genius of their daughter and boom this is what you get.

Re: U.S. Bans Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes from Operating Labs for Two Years

#26
post #13

The WSJ article and the Theranos press release [1] don't agree. There's no mention of the 2-year ban in the press release. The press release indicates it's business as usual for Theranos at their Arizona lab. Supposedly only their Newark (CA) lab is being shut down. [1] http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160707006570/en/Ther...

First bullet point in the list of sanctions in the Theranos press release you linked:

"Revocation of the laboratory’s CLIA certificate which, as dictated by the regulations, includes a prohibition on owners and operators of the lab from owning, operating or directing a lab for at least two years from the date of revocation" (emphasis mine)

Re: U.S. Bans Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes from Operating Labs for Two Years

#27
post #13

The WSJ article and the Theranos press release [1] don't agree. There's no mention of the 2-year ban in the press release. The press release indicates it's business as usual for Theranos at their Arizona lab. Supposedly only their Newark (CA) lab is being shut down. [1] http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160707006570/en/Ther...

Err.. "Revocation of the laboratory’s CLIA certificate which, as dictated by the regulations, includes a prohibition on owners and operators of the lab from owning, operating or directing a lab for at least two years from the date of revocation "

Re: U.S. Bans Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes from Operating Labs for Two Years

#28
post #9

I have no sympathy for her. It's incredibly irresponsible to do what she did- play marketing games with medical technology. Theranos' unethical behaviour has made it much more difficult for future innovation in the medical field, and has potentially cost lives. This sanction is appropriate. My fiancee works as a laboratory scientist in a hospital conducting patient sample testing, and her and her co-workers take thei…

Agreed - she should be imprisoned. You don't get to play with lives.

Re: U.S. Bans Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes from Operating Labs for Two Years

#29
post #13

The WSJ article and the Theranos press release [1] don't agree. There's no mention of the 2-year ban in the press release. The press release indicates it's business as usual for Theranos at their Arizona lab. Supposedly only their Newark (CA) lab is being shut down. [1] http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160707006570/en/Ther...

The press release doesn't mention Holmes ban, that does not mean that it doesn't exist.

I don't know the laws regarding this, but the title of the article states that Holmes can't operate a lab, not that Theranos is unable to. So it sounds like they are taking her to task rather than the entire company.

Re: U.S. Bans Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes from Operating Labs for Two Years

#30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have read the article (there was no 'web' button but some other comment posted a working link). Still have no idea what Theranos is or what they have done. Apparently they worked fro Walgreen or something?

i think wikipedia has you covered: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theranos

Thanks, everyone else just downvoted. Thanks for taking the time to link.

Has there been any clue as to why this ban has come about? That seems rather harsh for a "simple" (I'm using that very loosely) mistake. Is there evidence of faking data or other nefarious deeds on the side of the company?

Post reply on HN