President-elect Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon encouraged the military to give troubled start-up Theranos a deal for a field test, according to a published report.
In 2012, retired Marine Gen. James Mattis pushed for a field test in Afghanistan of the blood testing company Theranos, according to emails revealed by the Washington Post.
The company’s stock plunged after doubts about its blood-testing technology.
Theranos had promised to do blood testing more quickly. However, an investigation by the Wall Street Journal found that the company’s technology wasn’t what it claimed to be and wasn’t as effective. It has also run into trouble with federal regulators, causing Theranos to shut down its clinical laboratories.
Emails showed that back in 2012 Mattis was excited about doing a field test of Theranos’ blood screening technology. At the time Mattis was a four-star Marine general overseeing the war in Afghanistan, the Post said.
“I’m convinced that your invention will be a game-changer for us and I want it to be given the opportunity for a demonstration in-theater soonest,” Mattis said in one of the emails.
Mattis’ efforts to get a field test for Theranos were not successful, as others in the military questioned whether the startup had the proper regulatory clearance.
Mattis eventually joined the board of Theranos in 2013 after retiring from the military.
During a Thursday night rally, Trump announced his intention to nominate Mattis as his secretary of defense.
