Cofactor Genomics has received strategic investments from Labcorp and Ascension Ventures to accelerate nationwide expansion of its OncoPrism® immunotherapy response diagnostic and broaden patient access across U.S. cancer care networks.
The St. Louis-based company, which describes itself as a commercial-stage precision oncology diagnostics provider, said the financing is intended to support wider deployment of OncoPrism through established national laboratory and health system infrastructure.
Ascension Ventures, the strategic investment arm tied to 13 U.S. health systems operating across 22 states, said its footprint aligns with some of the country’s largest oncology networks. Labcorp, meanwhile, brings a national diagnostics network and an expanding precision oncology portfolio that could help scale adoption in both academic and community oncology settings, according to the announcement.
Cofactor’s flagship assay, OncoPrism, uses machine-learning analysis of tumor RNA to quantify immune engagement and produce a predictive classification of immune checkpoint inhibitor response. Cofactor said the platform’s capabilities were established in the national PREDAPT trial and that the test demonstrated multi-cancer applicability and performance exceeding existing clinically validated and Medicare-covered diagnostics. The company positioned OncoPrism as a predictive tool linked to treatment outcomes, rather than a purely prognostic biomarker. This this approach can help guide immunotherapy use across a broader mix of care sites, including community practices where advanced molecular diagnostics have historically been harder to adopt.
The parties also said the investment is expected to support integration pathways and operational capabilities that expand provider access through national laboratory and health system channels, though they did not detail specific commercial programs. Cofactor said proceeds will be used to expand its predictive immunotherapy diagnostic portfolio, generate additional clinical evidence, deepen health system integration, and scale commercial and lab operations to meet growing demand across U.S. oncology markets.
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“This is a major step in ensuring that every patient—regardless of treatment location—has access to a predictive diagnostic that can guide the use of immunotherapy,” said Chris Parker, CEO of Cofactor Genomics. “Labcorp’s nationwide diagnostic network, combined with Ascension Ventures’ reach across major U.S. health systems, provides a strong foundation as we scale access to OncoPrism and continue expanding into new cancer indications.”
Chris Parker, CEO, Cofactor Genomics
“Labcorp is committed to advancing precision oncology by delivering innovative diagnostics that empower clinicians with enhanced actionable insights,” said Megann Vaughn Watters, Vice President of New Ventures and Strategic Alliances for Labcorp. “At Labcorp, we have built a comprehensive portfolio that supports physicians and patients across the entire care continuum—from early detection to treatment selection and monitoring. Cofactor’s RNA-based platform represents a significant advancement in predicting immunotherapy benefit, and we’re proud to help accelerate its adoption so more patients and providers can access this potentially transformative technology.”
Megann Vaughn Watters, Vice President Of New Ventures And Strategic Alliances, Labcorp
John Kuelper, Senior Managing Director of Ascension Ventures, added, “We partner with companies that can meaningfully impact care delivery across our health system partners. Cofactor’s technology has the potential to change how immunotherapy decisions are made for a significant portion of U.S. cancer patients.”
John Kuelper, Senior Managing Director, Ascension Ventures
