Tubulis Raises $361 Million: Breakthrough Funding Reshapes Cancer Treatment

Tubulis, a Munich-based biotech company, just secured €308 million (approximately $361 million) in Series C funding—the largest ever for a European biotech and the biggest globally for any private antibody-drug conjugate developer. This massive Tubulis cancer drug funding round, led by Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, Wellington Management, and Ascenta Capital, signals a major shift in cancer treatment innovation.

Record-Breaking Cancer Drug Funding in 2025

The Tubulis cancer drug funding represents a historic milestone in biotech investment. This €308 million Series C round shattered records as the largest funding ever for a European biotech company and the biggest for any private ADC developer worldwide. Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, Wellington Management, and Ascenta Capital led the round, with participation from RA Capital Management, Invus, and multiple international investors spanning the U.S., Europe, and Asia. The capital will directly accelerate clinical development of TUB-040, Tubulis’s lead drug candidate, and expand their pipeline of next-generation antibody-drug conjugates targeting difficult-to-treat cancers.

German Biotech Targets Ovarian and Lung Cancer

Tubulis is laser-focused on two aggressive cancer types: ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Their lead candidate, TUB-040, is currently in Phase 1/2a clinical trials, actively testing in patients with these devastating diseases. The Tubulis cancer drug funding will accelerate these trials and bring potential treatments to patients faster. Unlike broader approaches, Tubulis strategically targets specific cancers where their proprietary technology can deliver maximum impact. This precision approach, combined with their substantial funding, positions them to potentially transform treatment options for thousands of patients who desperately need better therapeutic alternatives in these difficult-to-treat cancer types.

Antibody-Drug Conjugates: The Next Cancer Breakthrough

Antibody-drug conjugates are precision weapons in cancer treatment. They combine targeted antibodies with powerful cancer-killing drugs, delivering treatment directly to cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. The Tubulis cancer drug funding backs their proprietary P5 platform technology, which creates more stable and effective ADCs capable of delivering higher drug payloads precisely where needed. ADCs represent one of oncology’s fastest-growing areas, with several approved therapies already changing patient outcomes. Tubulis’s next-generation approach aims to improve upon existing ADC technology, creating more effective treatments with better safety profiles. With this funding, they have resources to prove their platform’s superiority.

FDA Fast Track Approval for New Cancer Treatment

TUB-040 received FDA Fast Track designation—a status reserved for drugs addressing serious unmet medical needs. This designation means the FDA recognizes TUB-040’s potential importance and will provide closer guidance to expedite development and review processes. Combined with the recent Tubulis cancer drug funding, this creates optimal conditions for rapid advancement. Fast Track status enables more frequent FDA interactions, potential priority review, and accelerated approval pathways if clinical data demonstrates effectiveness. For patients with limited treatment options in ovarian and non-small cell lung cancer, this designation means potentially life-saving therapies could reach them significantly sooner than through standard development timelines.

Elite Investors Back Munich Cancer Drug Startup

The investor lineup validates Tubulis’s potential. Venrock, known for backing transformative healthcare companies, led the round alongside Wellington Management, one of the world’s largest investment firms. The Tubulis cancer drug funding attracted sophisticated investors from three continents who thoroughly evaluated the science, team, and market opportunity. CEO Dominik Schumacher plans to use funds to advance TUB-040 and build a robust pipeline of ADC candidates. This geographic and strategic diversity in the investor base demonstrates confidence in Tubulis’s technology platform and execution capability. These aren’t speculative investments—they’re calculated bets on breakthrough medicine by investors with proven track records in identifying biotech winners.

The Bottom Line

This Tubulis cancer drug funding round signals industry confidence in next-generation cancer therapies. With record capital, cutting-edge ADC technology, FDA Fast Track status, and strategic focus on challenging cancers, Tubulis has positioned itself as a leader in oncology innovation. For patients battling ovarian and lung cancer, this funding accelerates research and potentially brings life-saving treatments sooner. The coming years will be critical as clinical trial results emerge from this well-funded, strategically positioned biotech.