First Ascent Biomedical, a pioneer in personalized cancer treatment, announced a $6 million investment from Vidal Duart Enterprises, with an additional co-investment from Techstars. The funding will accelerate First Ascent Biomedical’s mission to transform medical oncology with highly individualized, prospective treatment planning technologies that improve patient survival.
First Ascent Biomedical’s technology represents a shift from a one-size-fits-all approach to a personalized strategy, offering hope to cancer patients who have exhausted traditional options. The company’s functional precision medicine platform integrates drug testing, DNA/RNA sequencing, and AI-guided tumor weakness mapping to test hundreds of FDA-approved drugs against a patient’s unique cancer profile.
This platform offers a highly personalized, actionable plan to a patient’s physician in an average of 10 days. And the results show that First Ascent Biomedical’s technology has significantly improved patient outcomes. Patients treated with decisions guided by the platform demonstrated an 83% greater benefit than those treated with the standard of care of a doctor’s choice.
This platform’s technology was developed by Dr. Noah Berlow, co-founder and CTO, and Dr. Diana Azzam, First Ascent Biomedical’s co-founder and scientific advisor. And Dr. Berlow designed the company’s AI framework. Dr. Azzan brings years of cancer research and a wealth of functional precision medicine expertise to First Ascent Biomedical, currently an assistant professor of environmental health sciences at the Florida International University Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work.
The funding raised will support the expansion of First Ascent Biomedical’s operations, including establishing a state-of-the-art lab in Florida, where the company will continue its mission to transform cancer care for all patients, especially those in underserved communities.
KEY QUOTES:
“The funding we have raised is a defining moment for First Ascent Biomedical and for cancer care. As someone who tragically lost my son to cancer, I know the devastating toll this disease takes on families. With this fresh capital, we are not just advancing technology—we are giving patients and their families hope. Florida is where our technology was invented, so we are excited to open our first commercial lab here as we charge forward in making personalized cancer care widely accessible.”
– Jim Foote, Co-founder and CEO of First Ascent Biomedical
“First Ascent Biomedical is at the forefront of a new era in cancer treatment. Their groundbreaking technology has already proven its potential to save lives and change the trajectory of this disease. This investment is not just a business decision—it’s a commitment to improving outcomes for cancer patients everywhere.”
– Carlos Duart, Owner of Vidal Duart Enterprises
“We are proud to support a company that combines innovation with compassion. The work First Ascent Biomedical is doing will have a ripple effect far beyond Florida, giving patients personalized care that improves their chances of survival. We are honored to help bring this vision to life.”
– Tina Vidal Duart, Co-owner of Vidal Duart Enterprises
“First Ascent Biomedical represents the future of cancer care, where innovation and personalization come together to save lives. The opportunity to transform medical oncology through precision medicine is immense, and First Ascent Biomedical is paving the way to make customized cancer treatment a reality with its drug prediction technologies.”
– Andrew Cleland, Chief Investment Officer at Techstars
