Gilead Sciences has agreed to acquire the German private biotechnology firm Tubulis GmbH in a deal valued at up to $5 billion. The move is intended to strengthen its portfolio in the emerging and highly competitive field of cancer drug development. According to a joint statement released on Tuesday, Gilead will pay an upfront cash sum of $3.15 billion, with potential additional payments of up to $1.85 billion if certain milestones are met. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter.
Tubulis is a key player in the development of novel therapeutics that deliver potent cancer-killing compounds directly to tumors. These drugs, known as antibody-drug conjugates, have the potential to improve upon existing treatments. The ADC field has triggered a wave of mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical industry, including Pfizer's $43 billion acquisition of Seagen Inc. in 2023.
Gilead’s CEO Daniel O’Day described the deal as "a significant milestone for Gilead’s progress in oncology." He noted that it will provide the company with a potential new therapy for ovarian cancer, as well as a broader platform for producing next-generation ADC drugs. Gilead already markets an ADC drug called Trodelvy for breast cancer.
Tubulis is currently conducting clinical trials for treatments targeting ovarian cancer, lung cancer, and other tumor types. The company has a partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb and has previously collaborated with Gilead on one of its drug candidates. Market data suggest the ovarian cancer market could be worth $5.6 billion by 2030, positioning Tubulis to potentially compete with major players such as AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly in this area.
Once the acquisition is finalized, Tubulis will become a dedicated ADC research unit within Gilead, with its Munich site serving as the hub for these activities. This marks Gilead’s third major transaction this year. In March, the company announced it would acquire Ouro Medicines for up to $2.18 billion; the private firm is testing antibody-based therapies for autoimmune diseases. In February, Gilead revealed plans to acquire cancer-focused biotech Arcellx Inc. for up to $7.8 billion, further expanding its research and development pipeline.
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