‘Basic research is needed more than anything else’
By 
Mason Wakley2026-04-29T14:22:00
Christian Hackenberger, co-founder of Tubulis, is excited that his team’s initial research is now creating clinical impact
Pharmaceutical company Gilead recently acquired German biotech startup Tubulis for $3.2 billion (£2.3 billion). The deal saw Gilead acquire two of Tubulis’ antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) that have shown promising results in early-stage clinical trials. Co-founder Christian Hackenberger explains some of the science behind Tubulis’s technology and the lessons he has learned about commercialising basic research,.