Gilead to Acquire Tubulis, Expanding ADC Cancer Pipeline

Gilead Sciences, Inc. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Tubulis GmbH, a clinical-stage biotech firm specializing in next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). The move marks a significant step in strengthening Gilead’s oncology portfolio, particularly in areas with high unmet medical need.

The acquisition builds on a two-year collaboration between the two companies and is expected to enhance Gilead’s capabilities in developing advanced ADC therapies. Tubulis brings a portfolio of innovative assets and proprietary platforms designed to improve the precision and effectiveness of cancer treatments by delivering potent payloads directly to tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

Among the key assets included in the deal is TUB-040, a NaPi2b-targeting topoisomerase-I inhibitor ADC currently in Phase 1b/2 clinical development. The therapy is being investigated for the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), both of which present significant treatment challenges. Another important candidate, TUB-030, targets the 5T4 antigen and has already shown promising early clinical data across multiple solid tumor types.

Gilead’s leadership highlighted the strategic importance of the acquisition in reinforcing its oncology ambitions. Chairman and CEO Daniel O’Day stated that integrating Tubulis’ pipeline and technology platforms would further diversify and strengthen what is already one of the company’s most robust development pipelines to date. He also emphasized that the prior collaboration provided strong confidence in Tubulis’ scientific capabilities and therapeutic potential.

Tubulis’ CEO and co-founder, Dominik Schumacher, expressed optimism about the company’s future within Gilead. He noted that the partnership would allow Tubulis to scale its innovative conjugation technologies and accelerate the development of its ADC pipeline, leveraging Gilead’s global development expertise and resources.

Following the completion of the transaction, Tubulis will continue to operate as a dedicated ADC research unit within Gilead. Its Munich-based facilities will serve as a central hub for ADC innovation, supporting integrated discovery, manufacturing, and clinical development efforts.

The acquisition underscores a broader trend in the pharmaceutical industry toward targeted cancer therapies, with ADCs emerging as a promising class of treatments. By combining Tubulis’ next-generation technologies with its own oncology expertise, Gilead aims to accelerate the development of more effective, targeted therapies for patients worldwide.