Theranos is expected to shut down for good

Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes.
Jeff Chiu/AP

• Theranos
  is closing up shop, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday
  night, citing a shareholder email.
• Once a Silicon Valley darling, the startup
  blood-testing company became mired in scandal over the last few
  years.
• Its founder, Elizabeth Holmes, and her
  second-in-command are facing criminal charges on accusations
  that they defrauded investors, doctors and patients.

Theranos
is shutting down,
The Wall Street Journal said on Tuesday night, citing a
shareholder email.

According to the email, Theranos said it plans to spend the next
few months repaying creditors with its remaining resources.

The news comes as Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and her
second-in-command
face criminal charges on accusations that they defrauded
investors, doctors, and patients.

Once a Silicon Valley darling, the startup blood-testing company
became
mired in scandal over the last few years.

Its principal blood-testing product was once seen as a
potential breakthrough in the health care industry. The company
claimed it could perform a number of traditional lab tests with
just a few drops of blood. 

Since at least 2015, the company has been plagued by questions
about everything from the
accuracy of its blood tests, to the
qualifications of its top executives and researchers.
Walgreens
ended its relationship with Theranos in 2016.