The University of Western Australia (UWA) has introduced Western Australia's first undergraduate quantum computing major. The course was announced by UWA Vice-Chancellor Amit Chakma at Quantum West, an industry event hosted by UWA. The course aims to equip students with the understanding and technical knowledge required in the rapidly advancing field of quantum computing. The new major is part of UWA’s comprehensive education pipeline for quantum technology, which includes Quantum Girls, a national programme designed to inspire young people and their teachers. Students can also pursue a Masters or PhD in quantum computing at UWA.

Insider Brief

• Quantum Simulation Technologies, Inc. — QSimulate — announces that it has closed a $2.5M financing round led by quantum technology investment firm 2xN.
• The financing round was led by financing round led by quantum technology investment firm 2xN.
• Funds will support QSimulate’s quantum physics-based drug-discovery platform.
• Image: QSimulate

PRESS RELEASE — Quantum Simulation Technologies, Inc. — QSimulate — announces that it has closed a $2.5 million financing round led by quantum technology investment firm 2xN. The other investors in this round are UTokyo IPC and Kyoto iCAP. The proceeds will support QSimulate’s rapidly expanding business centered on its quantum physics-based drug-discovery platform, QSP Life. QSP Life currently includes QUELO, QuValent, and QuantumFP, spanning small-molecule lead optimization to covalent inhibitor design, and to ultra-high-throughput molecular fingerprinting.

Powerful quantum predictions today

QSimulate uses proprietary quantum physics-based algorithms to faithfully predict answers to large-scale biological problems. QSimulate’s technology in its products, such as QUELO and QuValent, have enabled the first quantitative application of quantum mechanics to drug design, providing predictions with unprecedented fidelity, and opening up the computational study of new therapeutic classes. Through quantum-inspired representations, QSimulate’s quantum engine scales to thousands of atoms and simulates the dynamical processes that govern biological and drug interactions.

The foundation for a quantum future

QSimulate offers a foundational technology for future quantum hardware. In a multi-year partnership with Google Quantum AI (see details in a recent Google Research blog article), QSimulate has played a key role in the development of fault-tolerant quantum computing algorithms for chemical, material, and biomolecular problems. These contributions provide a roadmap for algorithm design in the quantum future supported by the existing QSimulate technologies.

Quantum towards digital molecular discovery

QSimulate’s strategic developments position the company for the digital discovery era. Through the incorporation of physics-based AI, QSimulate’s learning models discriminate between AI truth and AI hallucinations in molecular design. In combination with QSimulate’s existing quantum simulation innovations, QSimulate is building the technology platform of the digital molecular discovery era.

Niels Nielsen, co-founder of 2xN commented: “We are thrilled to lead the funding round and forge a partnership with QSimulate. Our strategy at 2xN is to back scientists and entrepreneurs who are world leaders in their field and QSimulate is a great example of that.

QSimulate stands at the forefront of revolutionizing drug design and material science, and we’re convinced they’re only scratching the surface with their already state-of-the-art QM-based simulation methods. With quantum computing on the rise, the interplay between classical and quantum computing will define the future of computation. QSimulate is well-positioned to benefit from this, having on board both quantum and classical simulation experts. The ongoing collaborations with JSR Corporation and Google Quantum AI are a testament to QSimulate’s pioneering position in harnessing quantum mechanics for drug discovery and materials innovation, setting a new industry benchmark.

Our investment in QSimulate is not merely a fiscal alliance; it’s an expedition into a quantum-imbued future teeming with endless scientific and industrial revelations. The quantum horizon is vibrant, and with QSimulate, we’re not just gazing at it; we’re sailing towards it at full steam!”

Quantum software company Classiq, in collaboration with NVIDIA and the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, has launched the Quantum Computing for Life Sciences & Healthcare Center. The initiative aims to develop quantum algorithms and applications to revolutionise life sciences and healthcare, including drug discovery, molecular analysis, and personalised medical treatments. The centre will also address challenges in supply chain and treatment coordination. Classiq CEO Nir Minerbi believes the software driving quantum computing is growing rapidly. The centre will utilise NVIDIAH100 Tensor Core GPU capabilities and NVIDIA CUDA Quantum programming platform. The Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center will initiate the centre's collaborative approach.

At the SuperComputing 2023 conference, Grand Equipement National de Calcul Intensif (GENCI), Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ), and PASQAL announced progress in their High-Performance Computer and Quantum Simulator Hybrid Computing project.

D-Wave a leading quantum computing company, has announced successful Quantum Error Mitigation (QEM) in its Advantage2 annealing quantum computing prototype. The QEM techniques reduce errors in quantum simulations, leading to results consistent with the quantum system maintaining its quantum state for a significantly longer time. This advancement is expected to improve performance in the forthcoming Advantage2 system and future processors. The research, led by Mohammad Amin, marks D-Wave's first experimental demonstration of Zero-Noise Extrapolation, a practical QEM technique. This could help tackle complex problems in scientific and machine learning applications.

Qubit Pharmaceuticals has made a breakthrough in quantum chemistry, aiming to improve the efficiency and accessibility of quantum chemistry simulations. The company combines classical and quantum methodologies to enhance drug design. They use NVIDIA GPUs and their own state-vector emulator, Hyperion HPC, to conduct exact simulations across systems. Their research focuses on Quantum State Preparation and a new method called Overlap-ADAPT-VQE, which significantly improves quantum chemistry simulations. This could lead to advancements in drug development and materials science.

Cleveland Clinic has launched the Quantum Innovation Catalyzer Program, a competitive initiative for start-ups to explore quantum computing applications in healthcare and life sciences. Four companies will be selected to receive a 24-week immersive experience, including access to IBM Quantum System One computer for research. The program is part of Cleveland Clinic’s and IBM’s 10-year partnership aimed at advancing biomedical research through quantum and advanced computing. The application for the program is open until January 15, with the program launching in April.

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has contracted ParityQC to develop new methods for molecular simulation on quantum computers. The project, QuantiCoM Q2H, is part of DLR's QuantiCoM initiative, aiming to advance materials science and engineering through quantum computing. Over three years, ParityQC will create quantum computing algorithms for atomistic simulations, starting with hydrogen and water molecules. The project could lead to more accurate simulations of chemical systems, impacting various industries including drug discovery, energy, manufacturing, construction, automotive, electronics, and aerospace. ParityQC, a spinoff of the University of Innsbruck, is the world's only quantum architecture company.

D-Wave Quantum Inc. and QuantumBasel have extended their strategic relationship for two more years to accelerate the development of quantum and quantum-hybrid applications in Europe. D-Wave, a leader in quantum computing systems, will open a European office on the QuantumBasel campus in Switzerland. This move reflects a growing regional interest in D-Wave’s quantum computing solutions, including the Advantage system, a fifth-generation quantum system with over 5,000 qubits. The partnership aims to fast-track the commercialisation of quantum computing in the region. QuantumBasel is Switzerland’s first commercial quantum hub, located on the uptownBasel innovation campus.

D-Wave Quantum Inc., a listed quantum computing company and the world's first commercial supplier of quantum computers, has received a notice of non-compliance from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The company's average closing price of common stock was less than $1.00 over a consecutive 30 trading-day period, which is not in compliance with Section 802.01C of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. However, the company has notified the NYSE of its intention to rectify the stock price deficiency and return to compliance with the NYSE's continued listing standard.

Cleveland Clinic has been chosen by Wellcome Leap to lead a quantum computing research project in collaboration with IBM Quantum. The project aims to develop quantum algorithms for predicting protein structures, potentially leading to more effective therapies. A second project, led by Algorithmiq, will explore how quantum computing could assist in the development of photon-activated drugs for cancer. Both projects are part of Wellcome Leap’s Quantum for Bio Challenge, which will award up to $40 million to researchers globally. Earlier this year, the first IBM quantum system dedicated to healthcare research was installed at Cleveland Clinic.

Insider Brief

• King’s College London and Kvantify announced a strategic partnership.
• The teams will explore novel methods to integrate classical and quantum computing tools in drug discovery for neurological conditions.
• As part of the initiative, three Kvantify experts will assume visiting positions at the Department of Chemistry at King’s College London.

PRESS RELEASE — King’s College London, a leading British university, and pioneering Danish quantum computing software company Kvantify, are proud to unveil their strategic partnership. Together, they will explore novel methods to integrate classical and quantum computing tools in drug discovery for neurological conditions.

This collaboration will capitalise on the unique strengths of both organisations while fostering a dynamic exchange of knowledge and driving innovation as part of a major investment in the natural sciences at King’s. As part of this landmark initiative, three Kvantify experts will assume visiting positions at the Department of Chemistry at King’s College London. They will work with faculty members and students to aid the understanding and adoption of cuttingedge quantum computing technologies into ongoing research endeavours taking place across the university. In addition, Kvantify will tap into King’s talent pool, supporting a PhD and offering internships for promising students.

Professor Martin Ulmschneider, Head of Department of Chemistry at King’s College London, shared his excitement: “We are delighted to join forces with Kvantify, a trailblazer in quantum computing software. This partnership promises to unlock new frontiers in chemistry and drug discovery, offering great learning opportunities for our students and faculty while collaborating with the industry pioneers.”

The collaboration represents a potent synergy, uniting Kvantify’s quantum computing expertise with King’s College London’s world-leading knowledge in chemistry. Both entities share a common vision: leveraging the potential of quantum computing to expedite the development of novel medications for challenging diseases.

Nils Anton Berglund, Head of Strategic Alliances at Kvantify, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We are thrilled to partner with King’s College London, an institution renowned for its academic excellence. Through this collaboration we get access to the world-class talent and cutting-edge research facilities at King’s, whilst we get the privilege to engage with their leading academics and aid them in the adoption of quantum technologies to ensure the department becomes a key player in the field.”

This partnership marks a pivotal moment in the journey toward unlocking the extraordinary potential of quantum computing for the betterment of science and society. Stay tuned for groundbreaking discoveries and innovations emerging from this alliance.

Notably, this collaboration comes shortly after Kvantify’s expansion to the UK, with the opening of their new London office in September and the addition of four new team members in the UK.

QuEra Computing, a provider of neutral-atom quantum computers, has been awarded two grants by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) as part of the Imagining Practical Applications for a Quantum Tomorrow (IMPAQT) programme. The grants will advance quantum algorithms and application development including Quantum Machine Learning. QuEra's technology is based on large-scale arrays of neutral atoms and offers up to 256 qubits on its Aquila-class machines. The company is also working on scaling up to higher numbers. Five of QuEra's partners, including Moody's, Harvard University, The University of Padova, BlueQubit, and Polaris Quantum Biotech, also received DARPA IMPAQT grants for projects on QuEra's quantum computers.

Researchers from the University of Nottingham, Phasecraft, and QuEra Computing Inc. have received over $1 million from Wellcome Leap to explore quantum computing for drug development for myotonic dystrophy. The project, led by Jonathan Hirst, Katie Inzani, and Ashley Montanaro, aims to use quantum computing to model systems where quantum mechanics plays a key role, such as in drug discovery. Phasecraft, a startup based in Bristol and London, will apply its research in quantum algorithms to this process. The quantum computing hardware for the project has been built by QuEra Computing Inc., a leading provider of quantum computers based on neutral atoms.

French start-ups PASQAL and Qubit Pharmaceuticals have partnered with the Unitary Fund to win the Wellcome Trust's "Quantum for Bio" program. The project aims to design a new quantum algorithm to accelerate drug discovery, which will be implemented on PASQAL's quantum computers. The consortium will receive $4.5 million in funding over 30 months.

The UK government has announced the first winners of a £15 million competition, the Quantum Catalyst Fund, aimed at exploring the benefits of using quantum technologies across various sectors such as health, transport, and net zero.