Theranos Inc. Reputation Score & Analysis

Score: 20/100 (Critical) • Analyzed Jun 2, 2026

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This report is based on publicly available sources and is provided for informational purposes only. Estimates and conclusions are algorithmic estimates, not verified facts. See the full disclaimer below.

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This report is generated automatically by artificial intelligence based on publicly available information at the time of analysis. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, professional consultation, or a definitive assessment of any entity's reputation, character, or business practices.

The scores, findings, and opinions expressed in this report reflect an algorithmic interpretation of publicly indexed web sources and may not be accurate, complete, or up to date. Information on the internet changes frequently, and this report represents a snapshot that may become outdated immediately after generation. We make no warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any information contained herein.

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This is an online reputation report for Theranos Inc.. Based on our AI-powered reputation analysis of 224 web sources, Theranos Inc. received an overall reputation score of 20/100 (Critical).

Theranos Inc., once a promising health technology startup, is now defunct following a series of high-profile legal and regulatory issues. The company was dissolved in 2018 after its fraudulent practices were exposed, leading to multiple lawsuits and the conviction of its founder, Elizabeth Holmes.

Entity Profile

Theranos Inc. was an American health technology company that claimed to revolutionize blood testing.

Entity Type
Private Company
Headquarters
Palo Alto, California, USA
Founded
2003
Dissolved
2018
Status
Defunct
Company Size
201-500 employees

Reputation Score

Critical

224 sources analyzed

Category Breakdown

Search Results Sentiment 10%

Search results are dominated by negative press and legal issues related to fraud.

Review Presence 10%

Theranos has a poor review presence, with low ratings and negative employee feedback.

Negative Press 10%

The company faced extensive negative press due to fraud and regulatory violations.

Social Trust Signals 10%

The brand's reputation is severely damaged, with no positive social trust signals.

Crisis Risk 10%

The entity is defunct, but its legacy issues continue to impact former associates.

How Online Reputation Scores Are Calculated

The Total Reputation Score (0–100) is a weighted average of five categories, each scored independently based on AI analysis of publicly available web sources:

  • Search Results Sentiment (25%) — ratio of positive vs. negative search results
  • Review Presence (20%) — average ratings and volume on review platforms
  • Negative Press (20%) — news articles, lawsuits, and controversies found
  • Social Trust Signals (15%) — brand mentions, social proof, and authority
  • Crisis Risk (20%) — likelihood of reputation damage based on current signals

Score scale: 80–100 = Excellent, 65–79 = Good, 45–64 = Fair, 25–44 = Poor, 0–24 = Critical. Higher is better — a score of 100 means no negative signals detected.

Scores are algorithmic estimates based on available public data and should not be interpreted as definitive factual measurements of an entity's reputation or business quality.

Database Screening Results

Matches are based on entity name and may include false positives due to name coincidence, alternate spellings, or similarly named entities. Always verify findings against the original source before drawing conclusions.

US Court Records
Clear
Offshore Leaks (Panama/Paradise/Pandora Papers)
Clear
Sanctions, PEP & Debarment Lists
Clear
SEC Enforcement Filings
Clear
Legal Entity Registration (LEI)
1 note
GLEIF: No LEI registration found for "Theranos Inc." No Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) registration was found for "Theranos Inc." in the GLEIF registry. This may indicate the entity is not registered for international financial transactions, or operates under a different legal name.

Clear means no negative records were found in that database — a positive signal for the entity's reputation.

Issues Found (10)

Issues are identified by AI analysis of publicly available sources. Some findings may reflect outdated information, resolved matters, or misattributed content. We recommend independent verification before acting on any issue listed below.

Elizabeth Holmes Conviction

2022-11
HIGH

Elizabeth Holmes was convicted on four counts of fraud and sentenced to 11 years in prison for defrauding investors.

Fix: Holmes's conviction set a precedent for personal liability in startup fraud cases.

SEC Fraud Charges

2018-03
HIGH

The SEC charged Theranos and its executives with fraud for misleading investors about its technology and business performance.

Fix: The SEC's action emphasized the need for transparency in investor communications.

CMS Sanctions

2016-04
HIGH

CMS revoked Theranos's CLIA license and imposed a two-year ban on its executives from operating labs.

Fix: This action led to stricter oversight of laboratory-developed tests by regulatory bodies.

Walgreens Lawsuit

2016-11
HIGH

Walgreens sued Theranos for breach of contract, seeking $140 million in damages due to fraudulent practices.

WSJ
Fix: The lawsuit highlighted the financial risks for partners working with unvalidated technology.

Invalidated Blood Test Results

2016-05
HIGH

Theranos invalidated two years of blood test results due to quality control issues.

Fix: This incident underscored the importance of rigorous quality assurance in medical testing.

Consumer Fraud Class Action

2016-05
HIGH

Theranos faced a class-action lawsuit alleging consumer fraud over the accuracy of its blood-testing technology.

Fix: The lawsuit served as a warning about the consequences of misleading consumers.

Investor Losses

2018-05
HIGH

Investors, including high-profile figures, suffered significant financial losses due to Theranos's fraudulent practices.

Fix: This case highlighted the need for thorough due diligence by investors.

FDA Warning

2015-10
HIGH

The FDA issued a warning about Theranos's use of unapproved devices, questioning its quality control.

Fix: The FDA's intervention led to increased scrutiny of medical device approvals.

Whistleblower Revelations

2016-11
HIGH

A former employee's whistleblower report exposed significant internal issues at Theranos.

Fix: This case demonstrated the critical role of whistleblowers in uncovering corporate fraud.

Theranos Dissolution

2018-09
HIGH

Theranos dissolved in 2018 after failing to secure additional funding and facing mounting legal challenges.

WSJ
Fix: The dissolution marked the end of a cautionary tale in the startup ecosystem.

Industry Context

Health Technology Below average

Theranos's reputation is significantly worse than typical companies in the health technology industry due to its high-profile fraud case.

Strengths

No current sanctions or offshore leaks

This indicates no ongoing international legal or financial concealment issues.

Comprehensive media coverage

Extensive media coverage ensures public awareness and serves as a deterrent for similar future misconduct.

Regulatory actions led to industry changes

Regulatory responses to Theranos's actions have strengthened oversight in the healthcare sector.

Key Concerns (Prioritized)

#1
Ongoing legal and financial consequences for former executives

If ignored: Continued litigation and financial penalties could impact the personal and professional lives of those involved.

Escalation: 6+ months

Lessons & Precedents

# Lesson Significance
1 The $140M Walgreens lawsuit demonstrated that retail partners bear financial exposure when partnering with unvalidated diagnostic technology — major pharmacy chains now require independent third-party validation before in-store lab partnerships. Increased due diligence and validation processes in partnerships.
2 Holmes's 2022 conviction on 4 counts of wire fraud established that startup CEOs face personal criminal liability for overstating technology capabilities to investors — a precedent now cited in biotech investor due diligence. Stricter accountability for executive claims in startups.
3 CMS's 2016 revocation of Theranos's CLIA certificate led to stricter FDA oversight of laboratory-developed tests (LDTs), culminating in the 2024 LDT final rule — diagnostics companies must now factor in this regulatory tightening. Enhanced regulatory compliance in diagnostics.
4 Theranos's dissolution in 2018 serves as a lesson in the importance of securing sustainable funding and maintaining financial transparency. Improved financial practices in startups.
5 The SEC's fraud charges against Theranos and its executives underscore the necessity for transparent investor communications. Better investor relations and transparency.
6 The whistleblower revelations at Theranos highlight the importance of fostering a culture that supports ethical reporting. Strengthened whistleblower protections and corporate ethics.

Potential Pain Points

Additional challenges identified through deep analysis — includes both source-reported findings not covered above and signal-based risks derived from available data.

Legal Exposure Source-Reported High signal

Multiple lawsuits and regulatory actions against Theranos and its executives.

Risk: Continued legal battles could result in further financial and reputational damage.

Financial Stability Source-Reported High signal

Theranos faced financial difficulties leading to its dissolution.

Risk: Financial instability can lead to the collapse of business operations.

Regulatory/Compliance Exposure Source-Reported High signal

Regulatory scrutiny from CMS, FDA, and SEC due to non-compliance.

Risk: Non-compliance with regulations can lead to severe penalties and operational bans.

Market Competition Signal-Based Medium signal

Theranos's failure to achieve market share due to technological shortcomings.

Risk: Inability to compete effectively can result in market exit.

Entity profile: Theranos Inc. was an American health technology company founded in 2003 by Elizabeth Holmes. It claimed to have developed a revolutionary blood-testing technology but was later exposed for fraudulent practices. The company dissolved in 2018 after facing numerous legal challenges and regulatory scrutiny. Theranos raised over $700 million from investors but failed to generate significant revenue due to the failure of its technology. Its main competitors were traditional diagnostic companies like Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp. The company's trajectory highlights the critical importance of transparency and scientific validation in the health technology sector.

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Report generated on June 2, 2026 5:00 AM

Powered by AI analysis • 224 web sources scanned

Generated by ReputationCalc

Disclaimer & Legal Information

This report is generated automatically by artificial intelligence based on publicly available information at the time of analysis. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, professional consultation, or a definitive assessment of any entity's reputation, character, or business practices.

The scores, findings, and opinions expressed in this report reflect an algorithmic interpretation of publicly indexed web sources and may not be accurate, complete, or up to date. Information on the internet changes frequently, and this report represents a snapshot that may become outdated immediately after generation. We make no warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any information contained herein.

This report is not intended to defame, disparage, or harm any individual, business, or organization. If you believe any information in this report is inaccurate or unfairly represents you or your organization, please contact us and we will review and correct it promptly.

By viewing this report, you agree that ReputationCalc, its operators, and affiliates shall not be held liable for any decisions made, actions taken, or damages incurred based on the information presented. This report should not be used as the sole basis for any business, employment, investment, or legal decision.

For more information, see our Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Data Processing Agreement.

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Monitor reputation changes over time
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