First Ascent Biomedical Opens Functional Precision Medicine Lab in Miami
First Ascent Biomedical opened a CLIA- and CAP-certified FPM lab in Miami, testing FDA-approved drugs on patient tumor cells with results in ~10 days. Sponsored testing is available for eligible Florida residents and colorectal cancer patients.
First Ascent Biomedical announced on Feb. 16, 2026, the official opening of a specialized Functional Precision Medicine (FPM) laboratory in Miami, now accepting patient samples through physician referral. The CLIA-certified and CAP-certified laboratory's mission is to help oncologists move toward personalized cancer treatments faster and more confidently by testing therapies directly against patient-derived live tumor cells.
The FPM approach tests hundreds of FDA-approved drugs and combinations on patient-derived live tumor cells outside the body. This test data, combined with molecular data, can identify which therapies show the strongest response for that specific patient. Results are designed to support treatment decisions quickly, on an average of 10 days, which is especially urgent for patients facing rare, relapse, metastatic disease, or limited standard-of-care options. 'Our guiding principle is that no two people are the same. No two cancers are the same, and our testing helps oncologists treat accordingly,' said the company's CEO.
To reduce financial barriers, the lab is launching sponsored access to testing. Through sponsorship from the State of Florida, the test is free to 200 eligible Florida residents. Colorectal cancer patients anywhere in the United States who meet sampling criteria may also be eligible for free testing thanks to support from the Fight Colorectal Cancer Foundation.
The lab opening is timed with significant personnel growth, including two clinical leadership roles. A new chief medical officer, who has a track record of using FPM to guide complex treatment decisions in pediatric oncology, will lead clinical strategy and physician collaboration. A new medical advisory board member brings experience from leading medical strategy at Foundation Medicine and overseeing the oncology enterprise at LabCorp. The company's CEO said the leadership additions are a perfect strategic fit, noting that the chief medical officer proves the platform works for individual patients and the medical advisory board member proves it can work for millions.
The chief medical officer stated, "I've used FPM for more than a decade, and I've seen what's possible when we stop guessing. I've cared for patients who were running out of options, some even entering hospice, who were able to return to meaningful, active lives after we used guided functional testing to understand how their cancer cells responded to different medications in the lab and use those insights to inform treatment decisions in the clinic."