German biotech pioneer Tubulis, a leader in next-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapeutics, has closed a €308 million ($361 million) Series C financing round, marking both the largest Series C in European biotech history and the largest private fundraising globally for an ADC company.
The round was led by Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, with participation from new investors Wellington Management and Ascenta Capital. Existing backers — including Nextech Invest, EQT Life Sciences, Frazier Life Sciences, Andera Partners, Deep Track Capital, Bayern Kapital, Fund+, OCCIDENT, Seventure Partners, and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) — also joined the round.
HTGF, one of the earliest investors, significantly expanded its commitment in this round, reaffirming its long-term support for the company’s journey from concept to clinical stage.
Accelerating Clinical Development and Platform Innovation
The new funding will propel Tubulis’ clinical and technology expansion, including the advancement of:
- TUB-040, the company’s lead ADC targeting NaPi2b, an antigen overexpressed in ovarian cancer and lung adenocarcinoma. The candidate is currently in a Phase I/IIa trial (NAPISTAR1-01, NCT06303505) and received U.S. FDA Fast Track Designation in mid-2024.
- TUB-030, a second clinical-stage ADC, and several preclinical programs aimed at unlocking new therapeutic areas.
- Next-generation ADC platform technologies, which optimize payload delivery and durability in solid tumors.
“With TUB-040 now in the clinic and early data to be presented at ESMO, we’re ready to expand into earlier treatment lines while advancing our broader pipeline. This funding empowers us to deliver ADCs precisely tailored to solid tumor biology — achieving meaningful and durable benefits for patients.”
“This landmark financing reflects the deep conviction of world-class healthcare investors in Tubulis’ science and the disruptive potential of our ADC platforms,” said Dr. Dominik Schumacher, CEO and Co-Founder.
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HTGF: Backing The Startup From Idea to Global Leader
HTGF identified Tubulis’ potential in its earliest stages, supporting the founders before the company’s official launch and co-leading the Series A round in 2020. With its largest-ever growth investment, HTGF reaffirms its confidence in Tubulis’ team and technology.
“HTGF was one of our first investors and a true partner through every phase of our journey,” added Dr. Schumacher. “Their continued commitment underscores our shared belief in expanding the therapeutic power of ADCs globally.”
“Our collaboration with Tubulis has always been built on trust and shared ambition,” said Dr. Frank Hensel, Principal at HTGF. “This round — backed by leading international investors — validates both the strength of Tubulis’ platform and its world-class team.”
Dr. Achim Plum, Managing Director at HTGF, added: “Tubulis proves that even highly capital-intensive DeepTech innovations can attract the private investment required to reach patients. It exemplifies HTGF’s model — backing exceptional science early and supporting its growth into global leadership.”
About Tubulis
Tubulis develops uniquely matched antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) with superior stability and precision, designed to overcome the limitations of current cancer therapies. The company’s lead programs, TUB-040 (targeting NaPi2b) and TUB-030 (targeting 5T4), are in clinical development for high-need solid tumors.
Leveraging its proprietary ADC platform technologies, Tubulis is redefining how payloads are linked and delivered to tumors, aiming to expand the therapeutic potential of ADCs for its own pipeline, partners, and patients worldwide.
