Theranos had falsified documents beyond the fake Pfizer memo, complicating the defense's stance.
Lab directors like Doctor Duan and Doctor Sawyer at Theranos had minimal engagement in operations.
Government inspection at Theranos uncovered quality control violations, leading to voiding 50,000 tests.
Deep dives
Theranos Falsified Documents
There were multiple falsified documents by Theranos, not just the fake Pfizer memo, which complicated the defense's position. The introduction of two Theranos lab directors with contrasting experiences shed light on the company's operations. One lab director never met Elizabeth Holmes or visited the lab, while another voided over 50,000 tests after government scrutiny.
Lab Directors' Limited Involvement
Lab directors at Theranos, like Doctor Duan and Doctor Sawyer, had minimal engagement in the lab operations. Doctor Sawyer, hired as a temporary director, never physically visited the lab and interacted with minimal employees. She raised concerns about signing off on standard procedures without proper oversight or communication within the company.
Critical Government Inspection
The damning government inspection at Theranos revealed significant issues in quality control and reporting patient results. Doctor Doss, amongst other responsibilities, discovered violations in quality control samples and instances of reporting flawed patient results. This led to a decision to void approximately 50,000 tests and highlighted deficiencies in Theranos' operations.
Investor Relations and Internal Struggles
The testimony of investor Allan Eisenman portrayed a pattern of deception and frustration from Theranos leadership. Despite initial enthusiasm and significant investments, Eisenman faced communication breakdowns and misleading revenue projections. The heated email exchanges between Eisenman and Theranos executives exposed the tensions and discrepancies in their interactions.
Theranos Transition and Legal Battles
Theranos faced critical challenges related to regulatory violations and investor discontent. Internal conflicts, such as the handling of critical information and the departure of key executives, raised concerns about the company's transparency and trustworthiness. The legal battles and testimonies underscored the complex dynamics within the organization and the mounting pressure on Elizabeth Holmes and her defense team.
In this episode, we hear from two Theranos lab directors -- one who never met Elizabeth or stepped foot into the company’s lab, another who ultimately voided more than 50,000 Theranos tests after a damning government inspection. And we hear from an irate investor who says Elizabeth Holmes cut off communication with him when he asked for basic information about the company. Plus, 10 weeks into the trial, with only 24 witnesses out of a possible 181 on the government’s initial list having taken the stand, we hear a surprising update from prosecutor Jeffrey Schenk: This week might be the prosecution’s last before it rests its case.