Gilead Sciences announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition of Tubulis GmbH, a Germany-based clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). The deal expands Gilead’s oncology portfolio with new ADC assets and platform technologies designed to improve targeted cancer treatment.
Under the terms of the agreement, Gilead acquired all outstanding equity of Tubulis for $3.15 billion in upfront consideration on a cash-free, debt-free basis, along with up to $1.85 billion in contingent milestone payments.
The acquisition adds Tubulis’ lead ADC candidate TUB-040 and TUB-030 to Gilead’s oncology pipeline. TUB-040 is a NaPi2b-directed topoisomerase-I inhibitor ADC that has demonstrated promising activity in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. TUB-030 is a 5T4-directed ADC being investigated across multiple solid tumor indications.
Tubulis’ technology platform is designed to improve the selectivity and delivery of cancer therapies to tumors while reducing exposure to healthy tissue. The company’s ADC technologies focus on achieving robust tumor payload exposure and long-lasting anti-tumor activity.
As part of the acquisition, the Tubulis team will remain based in Munich, Germany, where Gilead will establish the Tubulis ADC Innovation Center. The center will continue advancing integrated discovery, manufacturing and clinical development capabilities for next-generation ADCs.
TUB-040 targets NaPi2b, a protein highly expressed in several cancers including ovarian, lung and endometrial tumors. The investigational ADC uses Tubutecan technology with eight topoisomerase-I inhibitor payloads attached to a stable cleavable linker system. According to the company, this design is intended to improve tolerability compared to earlier ADC technologies while maintaining potent tumor cell killing activity.
Early clinical studies presented at ESMO 2025 showed encouraging anti-tumor activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. TUB-040 is currently being evaluated in a multicenter Phase I/IIa study involving patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and relapsed or refractory non-small cell lung cancer.
Gilead said the acquisition further strengthens its oncology strategy across antibody-drug conjugates, small molecules and cell therapy-based approaches through its Gilead and Kite Oncology businesses.
KEY QUOTES:
“We look forward to welcoming the Tubulis team to Gilead and building on the significant progress they have made in advancing novel ADC technology for people living with cancer. Our two-year collaboration with Tubulis gave us strong conviction in their team, their programs and their technologies. We will now combine our strengths in service of providing new options for some of the most challenging forms of disease.”
Daniel O’Day, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gilead Sciences
