First Ascent Biomedical

Tests drugs on a patient's fresh tumor tissue to see what actually responds.

Vetted listing

Testing

Consented intake · your records travel with you · nothing moves without your sign-off

Why First exists

First Ascent Biomedical performs functional testing: applying drugs to fresh tumor tissue and observing the response, with turnaround from two days to six weeks. The goal is greater confidence that a patient will respond to a drug or combination before committing to it. Getting fresh tumor tissue can be a limitation, so timing matters for patients considering this option.

Personalized treatment insights in an average of 10 daysNIH-funded study · 65-patient pediatric functional precision study with Nicklaus Children's Hospital and Florida International UniversityCleveland Clinic Florida · 25-patient adult functional precision medicine study with Florida International UniversityFight Colorectal Cancer · Sponsors free platform access for 35 colorectal cancer patientsState of Florida · Sponsors free platform access for 200 patients across all cancer types

1
Start the conversation
Patients connect with First Ascent directly or ask their oncologist to reach out. The team works with the patient's care team wherever they are.
2
The lab tests the cancer
A small fresh sample of tissue or blood containing cancer cells is tested against hundreds of FDA-approved drugs and combinations, combined with genetic sequencing to find the cancer's weaknesses.
3
Get clear answers
In an average of 10 days, the patient and doctor receive a personalized report detailing which therapies are most likely to help and which to avoid.

Prefer the source? First Ascent Biomedical's own site has more.

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Coverage, insurance & cost

The fastest way to know what you'll pay: check your coverage with your plan. Below is what we know about how First Ascent Biomedical handles billing.

We don't have confirmed insurance details for First Ascent Biomedical yet. Start a coverage check with your plan, or contact the provider directly.

Common questions about First

How does First work?

1. Start the conversation — Patients connect with First Ascent directly or ask their oncologist to reach out. The team works with the patient's care team wherever they are. 2. The lab tests the cancer — A small fresh sample of tissue or blood containing cancer cells is tested against hundreds of FDA-approved drugs and combinations, combined with genetic sequencing to find the cancer's weaknesses. 3. Get clear answers — In an average of 10 days, the patient and doctor receive a personalized report detailing which therapies are most likely to help and which to avoid.

How long does First take?

Personalized treatment insights in an average of 10 days

How do I connect with First?

Through OpenCancer's consented intake: enter your details once, choose exactly which records travel with the request, and sign a consent that covers this connection only. Nothing is shared without your sign-off.

Understand this before you decide

For patients and caregivers

Guide from First Ascent Biomedical

Frequently asked questions

Guide from First Ascent Biomedical

Resources

Guide from First Ascent Biomedical

Ask about this service

Answers grounded in First's details here. Educational only; your oncologist directs treatment.

Ask OpenCancer · answers grounded in this storefront

Who this is for

Cancer types served

all cancer types

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