The sale of Tubulis ranks among the largest exits in the German biotech scene. The Munich-based company with unicorn status is being acquired by US pharmaceutical company Gilead for up to 4.3 billion euros (5 billion dollars). 2.7 billion euros (3.15 billion dollars) flow directly, with a further 1.6 billion euros (1.85 billion dollars) tied to achieving certain milestones. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026.
Tubulis develops antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), a modern form of cancer therapy. These therapies target tumor cells more precisely than classical chemotherapies. The company combines antibodies and cytotoxic agents to create particularly stable active pharmaceuticals. Key projects include TUB-040, currently in clinical development for ovarian cancer and lung cancer. TUB-030 also shows promising initial data in various solid tumors.
Strategic expansion of oncology
With the acquisition, Gilead is strategically expanding its capabilities in oncology. Tubulis’s technologies and programs complement the company’s existing pipeline. At the same time, the Americans are securing access to a platform designed to deliver various active pharmaceuticals precisely to tumors.
“The agreement to acquire Tubulis is a significant milestone for Gilead in oncology. The company brings a clinical-stage candidate representing a potential new therapy for ovarian cancer, as well as a next-generation ADC platform and a promising early-stage pipeline. Today’s agreement follows a two-year collaboration with Tubulis that has convinced us of their programs and research capabilities. Integrating this potential into Gilead would further expand the strongest and most diverse pipeline in our company’s history,”
explains Daniel O’Day, chairman and CEO of Gilead Sciences.
Signal effect for the Munich location
Following closing, Tubulis will remain an independent research unit within Gilead. Munich is thus developing further as a central innovation hub for ADC technologies. The company leverages its integrated expertise in research, manufacturing, and clinical development to advance new therapies.
“We have been convinced from the beginning that our conjugation technology platforms could have far-reaching impacts across the entire ADC field, and the initial data on TUB-040 has reinforced this conviction. Joining forces with Gilead enables us to build on this foundation within a company that has deep scientific expertise, global development capabilities, and the necessary scale to translate innovations into medicines for patients worldwide. Through our existing collaboration, Gilead has already recognized the potential of our technologies, and together we are well positioned to accelerate the development of our ADC pipeline. I am deeply grateful to the Tubulis team, our board, our investors, and our partners for their commitment and for helping make this milestone possible,”
says Dominik Schumacher, CEO and co-founder of Tubulis.
