Functional Precision Oncology Grounded In Clinical Evidence
First Ascent moves beyond the standard of care by combining direct ex vivo drug exposure of the patient’s own tumor cells and molecular profiling.
This approach tests the individual patient’s actual biology, not just population-wide predictions, helping to validate the drugs and combinations that are right for that patient’s unique cancer.
PROSPECTIVE CLINICAL STUDY · NATURE MEDICINE
Clinical Feasibility Study Outcomes: 5 of 6 Patients Responded When Guided by Insights
Patients achieving an objective response (partial response or better)*
OPERATIONAL TARGET
Our commercial laboratory workflow targets data turnaround in about 10 days from receipt of an acceptable biopsy sample, providing timely insights within a clinically actionable timeframe.
*Objective response defined as partial response or better. These exploratory data points are from a small, non-randomized feasibility study (NCT03860376) prospectively published in Nature Medicine (2024;30(4):990–1000). This investigator-initiated clinical research used early-stage functional testing methods before the platform was standardized within First Ascent Biomedical’s commercial, CLIA-certified, and CAP-accredited laboratory infrastructure. Because study cohorts were non-randomized and sample sizes are small, these foundational results are descriptive of clinical feasibility and are not predictive of statistical performance outcomes on the commercial xDRIVE platform. The xDRIVE® report supports, and does not replace, the independent clinical judgment of the treating physician, who makes all final treatment decisions.
How Our Proprietary Functional Precision Oncology Platform Works
Functional precision oncology is a new approach to informing treatment decisions in oncology. It complements the standard of care by focusing on the individual patient’s tumor biology, not just population-level data. xDRIVE®, our proprietary platform, is built on this approach. It combines three powerful technologies to provide patient-specific laboratory insights.
Functional Ex Vivo Drug Sensitivity Testing
Tests living tumor cells against 150+ FDA-approved drugs and drug combinations.
Proprietary cell-enrichment technology isolates and expands tumor cells from a biopsy and tests them in a microenvironment modeled on the patient’s tumor.
Genomic sequencing
Identifies mutations and molecular characteristics of each patient’s cancer.
We perform DNA and RNA sequencing to uncover underlying mutations and molecular characteristics.
Machine-Learning Drug Ranking
Ranks drugs and combinations based on automated laboratory profiling datasets.
Our machine-learning model integrates functional drug sensitivity responses with genomic data to generate a tiered, prioritized report designed to assist the treating oncologist in evaluating potential options.
Our difference is our integrated functional insight: live-cell testing of 150+ FDA-approved drugs and drug combinations, with a workflow targeting data turnaround in about 10 days from receipt of an acceptable sample.
Working With First Ascent Biomedical
From sample receipt to ranked drug sensitivity results in about 10 days
Performed in First Ascent Biomedical’s CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratory. Results support, and do not replace, the clinical judgment of the treating physician.
Collect a Fresh Sample
Solid tumor samples from core or needle biopsies or surgery; blood cancer samples from peripheral blood or bone marrow.
Test live cancer cells
Ex vivo testing against 150+ FDA-approved drugs and drug combinations.
Deliver patient-specific insights
Fast enough to be clinically actionable.
Providers receive a ranked report of functional laboratory response profiles for individual drugs and combinations, plus supporting published research to assist in clinical evaluation.
Testing is performed within First Ascent Biomedical’s high-complexity, CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory infrastructure. As a specialized laboratory-developed test (LDT), this platform provides sophisticated clinical decision-support insights designed to supplement, rather than replace, the independent clinical judgment of the treating physician.
Support and Resources
REFER A PATIENT
Discuss a specific patient with our team. We guide you through sample collection and shipping.
Request a briefing
An xDRIVE® platform presentation for your practice or tumor board.
Get quick answers
Sample requirements, turnaround times, and what the report includes.
EXPLORE OUR OPEN CLINICAL TRIALS
We are currently involved in two clinical studies, listed below with links to their ClinicalTrials.gov records, where you can find full eligibility criteria and recruitment status. Initial clinical results were presented at ASCO 2024 and published in Nature Medicine (2024).
Testing is performed within First Ascent Biomedical’s high-complexity, CLIA-certified, and CAP-accredited laboratory infrastructure. As a specialized laboratory-developed test (LDT), this platform provides sophisticated clinical decision-support insights designed to supplement, rather than replace, the independent clinical judgment of the treating physician. All registry studies are conducted under separate, specific Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved protocols requiring informed consent and meeting strict voluntary eligibility criteria.