Tubulis Secures $361M Series C Funding to Advance Next-Generation ADC Platform
German biotech company Tubulis has raised €308 million ($361 million) in a Series C funding round, marking one of the largest financings for a biotech startup this year. The investment will support the advancement of Tubulis' antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platform and expand clinical development of its lead asset, TUB-040.
Funding Details and Investor Participation
The financing round was led by Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, with participation from new investors Wellington Management and Ascenta Capital. Ten returning venture capital firms, including EQT Life Sciences, Frazier Life Sciences, and Deep Track Capital, also contributed to the round.
This latest investment brings Tubulis' total private financing to nearly €500 million ($585 million), reflecting strong investor confidence in the company's innovative approach to ADC development. The funds will be used to accelerate clinical programs, expand the company's pipeline, and strengthen its presence in key markets.
TUB-040: Targeting NaPi2b in Ovarian and Lung Cancers
Tubulis' lead candidate, TUB-040, is currently in a Phase 1/2 trial for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and relapsed or refractory non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The drug targets NaPi2b, a protein that has proven challenging for other ADC developers.
Interim data from the NAPISTAR1-01 trial, focusing on the dose-escalation portion of the ovarian cancer cohort, will be presented at the upcoming European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) meeting on October 21, 2025. This presentation will mark the first public disclosure of clinical data for TUB-040.
Innovative ADC Platform and Pipeline Expansion
Tubulis' proprietary Tubutecan platform combines therapeutic payloads with P5 conjugation technology, aiming to reduce toxicity while maintaining efficacy. The company claims this approach can limit target-independent toxicity without compromising the cancer-fighting potential of traditional ADCs.
In addition to TUB-040, Tubulis is advancing TUB-030, an ADC targeting the 5T4 protein, which is currently in Phase 1 trials for solid tumors. The company also has several preclinical candidates in development, some of which are part of collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies.
Dominik Schumacher, CEO and co-founder of Tubulis, emphasized the company's readiness to expand into earlier treatment lines and execute its vision of creating differentiated ADCs tailored to solid tumor biology.
References
- Cancer drug startup Tubulis raises $361 million for ADCs
The German biotech banked one of the larger funding rounds this year to support an ovarian and non-small cell lung cancer drug that’s being showcased at a medical meeting on Sunday.
- Tubulis nets $361M financing as next-gen ADC data drop nears
Germany's Tubulis has closed a $361 million series C financing round with help from new investors Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, Wellington Management and Ascenta Capital. The cash will help expand clinical development of Tubulis’ lead asset, TUB-040, and expand the company's bespoke antibody drug conjugate platform.
Explore Further
What are the key scientific advantages of Tubulis' proprietary Tubutecan platform compared to existing ADC technologies?
Who are the main competitors of TUB-040 in targeting NaPi2b for ovarian and lung cancers, and how does it differentiate itself?
How significant is the target market potential for Tubulis' ADC platforms in solid tumor treatment?
What clinical data from the Phase 1/2 trials of TUB-040 has Tubulis shared so far, and what are the expected outcomes from the interim data at the ESMO meeting?
What collaborations does Tubulis have with major pharmaceutical companies, and what preclinical candidates are being developed under these partnerships?