First Ascent Biomedical Responds to ASCO Clarification on Functional Precision Medicine
First Ascent Biomedical today welcomed ASCO's Clinical Notice clarifying the role of Functional Precision Medicine (FPM) in oncology.
MIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / July 17, 2026 / First Ascent Biomedical today welcomed ASCO's Clinical Notice clarifying the role of Functional Precision Medicine (FPM) in oncology. We applaud the guidance ASCO is providing to clinicians, regulatory entities and payors.
The notice reinforces that functional assays, including ex vivo live-cell drug sensitivity testing, are decision-support tools that may help inform clinical evaluation for patients with complex, relapsed, or treatment-resistant cancers.
"For the last decade, Functional Precision Medicine has given me better evidence when caring for patients whose cancers have progressed despite standard options. By seeing how a patient's living tumor responds to therapy, physicians can make more informed, individualized treatment decisions. ASCO's Clinical Notice is an important step toward building the evidence behind this approach." Said Maggie Fader, MD Chief Medical Officer, First Ascent Biomedical, Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist
Statement from Diana Azzam, PhD: Co‑Founder & Scientific Advisor, First Ascent Biomedical
"We welcome ASCO's clarification on the role of Functional Precision Medicine in oncology. Combining functional biology with genomic information can provide physicians with a more complete view of each patient's cancer and support more individualized treatment decisions".
"Patients with advanced cancers who have exhausted standard treatment options deserve every scientifically sound opportunity to identify a therapy that may help them. As an oncologist and clinical researcher, I welcome ASCO's clarification recognizing the importance of advancing functional precision medicine. By rigorously evaluating how an individual patient's tumor responds to therapies, these approaches have the potential to improve treatment selection, accelerate research, and ultimately deliver more personalized, evidence-based cancer care for patients facing the greatest unmet need." Said Gilberto de Lima Lopes Junior, MD, MBA, FASCO, Chief, Division of Medical Oncology, Medical Director for International Programs; Associate Director for the Cancer Center & Chief Division of Medical Oncology of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami and the Miller School of Medicine
First Ascent also announced the commercial availability of its proprietary xDRIVE ® Precision Functional Oncology platform to patients worldwide. xDRIVE ® combines live-cell drug sensitivity testing with genomic analysis to generate individualized laboratory evidence on how a patient's tumor cells respond to therapeutic agents under controlled conditions. Testing is performed in First Ascent's CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratory.
"The combination of live-cell drug testing and advanced AI analytics is helping ground treatment evaluation in each patient's unique biology and accelerate the shift toward more individualized cancer care." Said Jim Foote, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of First Ascent Biomedical
"As surgeons, we make some of the most important decisions in a patient's cancer journey, but the best outcomes come when every member of the care team has the best possible information. Functional Precision Medicine has the potential to add another critical layer of evidence alongside pathology, imaging, and genomics-helping multidisciplinary teams make more informed treatment decisions before and after surgery. ASCO's Clinical Notice is an important milestone because it recognizes the growing importance of advancing the evidence behind Functional Precision Medicine, bringing us one step closer to more personalized treatment decisions for every cancer patient." Said Stephen Ferzoco, MD, Chief Surgical Officer & Medical Advisory Board Member at First Ascent Biomedical
Statement from Raymond Rodriguez-Torres M.Mgt, President of First Ascent Biomedical:
"With ASCO's clarification, the need for clinically relevant, functional evidence-based cancer care is clear. Our validated xDRIVE ® platform is now commercially available worldwide, providing oncologists with individualized laboratory insights that may support therapeutic evaluation in challenging cancer cases."
First Ascent Biomedical's proprietary platform combines functional biology, comprehensive genomic analysis, and artificial intelligence to generate individualized laboratory evidence that helps physicians make more informed treatment decisions for patients with complex cancers. The company remains committed to advancing functional precision oncology and expanding access to personalized, evidence-based cancer care.
ASCO's clarification marks an important step in the continued adoption of functional assays as scientifically rigorous, clinically meaningful tools for oncology decision support. First Ascent Biomedical remains committed to expanding access to functional precision oncology for physicians and patients facing the most complex cancer cases.
To read the ASCO Clarification please use the link below.
ASCO Clinical Notice: ASCO Clarification on the Status of Functional Precision Medicine (FPM) | ASCO Connection
For clinical inquiries, medical affairs support, or integration of xDRIVE ® into your workflow, please contact First Ascent Biomedical by visiting: www.FirstAscentBio.com
Media Contact:
Jean Powell
First Ascent Biomedical
(360) 513-9684
SOURCE: First Ascent Biomedical