Bizzarro announces nearly $2 million for life sciences at Gannon
First Ascent Biomedical is also investing $1 million for lab at university
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro March 26, 2025 | 1:47 PM
HARRISBURG, March 26 – Jobs and the promise of better treatment for loved ones suffering from cancer helped pave the way for the state to invest nearly $2 million for the development of a new First Ascent Biomedical laboratory and office space located on the campus at Gannon University, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro announced.
“My interest and involvement in this program is two-fold. As a childhood cancer survivor, I have seen firsthand the medical advances that not only saved my life but continue to save lives, and as an Erie County resident I know what the creation of this lab and medical research jobs would mean to our region,” said Bizzarro, who is a Gannon graduate and represents Millcreek and Fairview townships. “Gannon, Erie and the state of Pennsylvania now have a foothold in cutting-edge medical innovation that is saving lives and helping families.”
The state’s investment includes $1.72 million – with $1.5 million earmarked for construction of the lab. First Ascent Biomedical started in 2018 with a mission to transform medical oncology by providing individualized cancer treatment.
Bizzarro has been working side-by-side with state officials, Gannon University President Walter Iwanenko Jr. and members of First Ascent’s team to help make the new lab a reality.
Led by co-founder and CEO Jim Foote, who lost his son to cancer, First Ascent’s mission is to change cancer treatment to match patients’ needs. The company has integrated artificial intelligence and genetic analysis to improve cancer treatment.
This project also is relying on First Ascent’s investment of $1.13 million. It will lease the new laboratory and office space from Gannon University, and the project will help create an estimated 38 jobs. The lab, a 5,000-square-foot space, will include state-of-the-art robotic technology to process tissue samples for thousands of patients. The project also includes financial backing from private and non-profit organizations.
The funds for this project were made available through Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.