• Fund+ portfolio company Tubulis will be acquired by Gilead for an upfront payment of USD 3.15 billion, with up to USD 1.85 billion in additional milestone payments
• Tubulis’ next-generation ADC platform includes its clinically validated linker-payload technology
• The acquisition includes Tubulis’ lead asset TUB-040, a NaPi2b-targeting ADC for ovarian cancer and other solid tumors
LEUVEN, BELGIUM, April 7, 2026 – Fund+ announced that its portfolio company Tubulis GmbH—a clinical-stage company developing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for oncology—has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD). The transaction includes an upfront payment of USD 3.15 billion, with the potential for up to USD 1.85 billion in additional milestone payments.
Founded in 2019, Tubulis develops ADCs—targeted biopharmaceutical drugs that combine antibodies with potent chemotherapies to treat cancer. Tubulis’ technology platform integrates proprietary conjugation technologies with carefully selected antibodies that target specific proteins expressed on cancer cells. This enables targeted delivery of cytotoxic payloads within the tumor cells, killing cancer while sparing healthy tissue. Tubulis’ highly selective and controlled approach aims to minimize off-target toxicity while maintaining strong anti-tumor activity, maximizing patient benefits.
Tubulis’ lead asset, TUB-040 (a NaPi2b-directed topoisomerase-I inhibitor (TOPO1i) ADC), is currently in Phase 1b/2 development for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tubulis’ pipeline also includes TUB-030 (a 5T4 targeted ADC), which has demonstrated promising initial clinical data across various solid tumor types.
Dominik Schumacher, PhD, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Tubulis: “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.”
Caroline Goddeeris, Venture Partner at Fund+ (a Tubulis’ investor): “It has been a privilege to serve on the Tubulis Board and witness firsthand the impressive pace at which the team has advanced its ADC technology toward the clinic. At Fund+, we’ve been convinced of the platform’s tremendous potential from the outset. The Tubulis team has executed the development of their technology with exceptional professionalism, bringing their lead asset into clinical trials demonstrating its safety, efficacy, and durability of response in cancer patients. The scale of this Gilead acquisition is a testament to the confidence that this technology will provide solutions for critical patient needs. We are grateful to have been part of this remarkable journey, and wish to congratulate the Tublis team and management on this outstanding achievement.”
Following the close of the transaction, Tubulis will operate as a dedicated ADC research organization within Gilead, with the Munich site serving as a hub for ADC innovation, building on its integrated discovery, manufacturing and clinical capabilities to advance next generation ADCs.
About Tubulis
Tubulis generates uniquely matched antibody-drug conjugates with superior biophysical properties that have demonstrated durable on-tumor delivery and long-lasting anti-tumor activity in preclinical models and first clinical proof-of-concept in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The two lead programs from its growing pipeline, TUB-040, targeting NaPi2b, and TUB-030, directed against 5T4, are being evaluated in the clinic in high-need solid tumor indications. Tubulis will solidify its leadership position by continuing to innovate on all aspects of ADC design leveraging its proprietary platform technologies. Tubulis’ goal is to expand the therapeutic potential of this drug class for its pipeline, partners and patients. Visit www.tubulis.com or follow on LinkedIn.
About Fund+
Fund+ is an open-ended fund for long-term equity investment in innovative life sciences companies in Europe, with a focus on Benelux. The fund invests in therapeutics with a strong patient-centric approach and address unmet medical needs. Fund+ creates sustainable value for shareholders while reinforcing Belgium’s leading position in the life sciences sector and generating tangible societal benefits. https://fundplus.be/
Media Contact
Stephanie May, PhD