Gilead Sciences has agreed to acquire Tubulis in a deal valued at $3.15 billion upfront, with up to $1.85 billion in additional milestone payments, as the company deepens its focus on oncology and next-generation cancer therapies.
The transaction will add Tubulis’ antibody-drug conjugate, or ADC, platform and pipeline to Gilead’s portfolio, including its lead candidate TUB-040, which is currently in Phase 1b/2 trials for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The acquisition also includes TUB-030, another ADC asset that has shown early promise across multiple solid tumor types.
Gilead said the deal strengthens its capabilities in ADC technology, a class of targeted cancer therapies designed to deliver potent drugs directly to tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Tubulis’ platform includes its Tubutecan linker-payload technology, which is intended to improve the precision and effectiveness of these treatments.
The companies have collaborated for the past two years, giving Gilead insight into Tubulis’ research and clinical progress. Following the acquisition, Tubulis will operate as a dedicated ADC research unit within Gilead, with its Munich site serving as a hub for continued innovation and development.
The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Gilead plans to finance the acquisition using a combination of cash on hand and debt.
The move comes as Gilead continues to expand its oncology pipeline through acquisitions and partnerships, aiming to address high unmet needs in cancer treatment and build a more diversified portfolio of therapies.
KEY QUOTES:
“The agreement to acquire Tubulis is a significant milestone in Gilead’s progress in oncology. The company brings a clinical-stage candidate that is a potential new treatment for ovarian cancer, as well as a next-generation ADC platform and a promising early pipeline. Today’s agreement follows a two-year collaboration with Tubulis, which has given us strong conviction in their programs and research capabilities. Bringing this potential into Gilead would further expand what is already the strongest and most diverse pipeline in our company’s history.”
Daniel O’Day, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gilead Sciences
“From the outset, we believed our conjugation technology platforms could have broad impact across the ADC field and the initial data from TUB-040 have reinforced that conviction. Joining Gilead allows us to build on this foundation within an organization that brings deep scientific expertise, global development capabilities, and the scale needed to translate innovation into medicines for patients worldwide. Through our existing collaboration, Gilead has already seen the potential of our technologies and together, we are well positioned to accelerate the development of our ADC pipeline. I’m deeply grateful to the Tubulis team, our Board of Directors, investors, and partners for their commitment and helping make this milestone possible.”
Dominik Schumacher, PhD, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Tubulis
