Enabling Access to their Advanced Quantum Computer
July 24, 2024
[From left to right, seated] The MoU signing was represented by Dr. Su Yi, Executive Director, A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing; Mr Ling Keok Tong, Executive Director, National Quantum Office; Prof José Ignacio Latorre, Director, Centre for Quantum Technologies; Dr. Rajeeb Hazra, President & CEO, Quantinuum, Dr. Sebastian Maurer-Stroh, Executive Director, A*STAR’s Bioinformatics Institute; Prof Thomas M. Coffman, Dean, Duke-NUS Medical School; Dr. Terence Hung, Chief Executive, National Supercomputing Centre Singapore. [From left to right, standing] The MoU signing was witnessed by Prof Tan Sze Wee, Assistant Chief Executive, Biomedical Research Council, A*STAR; Prof Yeo Yee Chia, Assistant Chief Executive, Innovation & Enterprise, A*STAR; Prof Low Teck Seng, Co-chair, National Quantum Steering Committee; Mr Quek Gim Pew, Co-chair, National Quantum Steering Committee; Mr Ilyas Khan, Founder & Chief Product Officer, Quantinuum
Singapore, July 24th, 2024 — Singapore’s National Quantum Office (NQO), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), National University of Singapore (NUS), National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) and Quantinuum signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today, enabling access to Quantinuum’s advanced quantum computer, and to explore and collaborate on quantum computing use cases, focusing on computational biology.
Under the MoU, the parties agree to leverage Quantinuum’s H-Series and Helios quantum computers, to promote joint research and development (R&D) activities in various quantum computing applications. Helios is Quantinuum’s next generation quantum processor that could exponentially increase the computing power of quantum computers.
The parties will also collaborate on developing hybrid computing solutions that include both classical and quantum computing infrastructures, leading to the creation of long-term strategic roadmaps. The MoU also enables collaborations in training and outreach through seminars, workshops and bespoke programmes to nurture quantum talent and contribute towards Singapore’s growing quantum community.
Singapore has a strong background in computational biology and the collection of quality health datasets. Through this MoU, scientists from A*STAR’s Bioinformatics Institute (A*STAR’s BII), the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) at NUS and Duke-NUS Medical School’s Centre for Computational Biology will be able to leverage Quantinuum’s machines to enhance capabilities in modelling complex biological systems, advancing drug discovery and personalised medicine. In addition, Quantinuum also plans to establish a dedicated R&D presence in Singapore, where researchers from both Quantinuum and Singapore could better exchange knowledge and expertise for further developments in quantum applications and algorithms.
As the largest quantum computing company that has demonstrated success in building the highest performing quantum computers, Quantinuum offers an integrated, end-to-end quantum computing platform. Quantinuum leverages trapped-ion technology – one of the most promising approaches for building the highest fidelity and scalable quantum computers - to develop use cases in a wide range of applications, including pharmaceuticals, material sciences, and finance.
This MoU is guided by Singapore’s National Quantum Strategy, which aims to strengthen Singapore’s position as a leading hub in the development and deployment of quantum technologies by bolstering scientific excellence in high impact areas of quantum research; strengthening Singapore’s engineering capabilities in quantum technologies to accelerate translation into real world solutions; attracting, developing and retaining quantum talent; and anchoring company partnerships to build a vibrant and resilient quantum industry.
NQO oversees the development and execution of Singapore’s National Quantum Strategy to advance Singapore’s quantum technologies, talent and ecosystem development through the national-level quantum programmes. The National Quantum Computing Hub (NQCH), a national-level quantum programme and a joint initiative of CQT, A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing (A*STAR’s IHPC) and the National Supercomputing Centre Singapore, will drive this collaboration with Quantinuum.
“This is a strategic collaboration with Quantinuum, following the launch of Singapore’s National Quantum Strategy in late May. Through the NQCH, the National Quantum Office has brought together key research performers to collaborate with Quantinuum on advancing R&D in quantum computing, which will give Singapore an edge in quantum use cases across various industries. Equally important, this MoU will give Singapore access to Quantinuum’s state-of-the-art H-Series and Helios quantum computers. The NQO will continue to foster mutually beneficial partnerships through our national-level quantum programmes, and we look forward to delivering outcomes that could benefit the research, innovation and enterprise (RIE) ecosystem together,” said Ling Keok Tong, Executive Director, NQO.
"Our collaboration underscores our commitment to advancing global quantum computing. By harnessing our cutting-edge H-Series quantum computers and leading quantum application software stack, we aim to pioneer transformative use cases in computational biology and life sciences, catalysing innovation across industries. Establishing an R&D hub in Singapore enhances our dedication to fostering a vibrant quantum ecosystem, driving scientific excellence, and nurturing top quantum talent. Together, we aim to make significant strides in quantum technologies, supporting Singapore's ambition to lead in the rapidly evolving technological landscape," stated Dr. Rajeeb (Raj) Hazra, CEO of Quantinuum.
About the National Quantum Office
The National Quantum Office (NQO) was established with the support of the National Research Foundation (NRF) to drive the development and implementation of the Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) strategy for Quantum in Singapore. The Office was set up in April 2022 and is hosted by A*STAR, the Implementing Agency for Quantum. NQO, as a control tower, supports fundamental and translational research in Quantum through various strategic programmes that it oversees. It partners both public and private sectors to create a vibrant RIE quantum ecosystem in Singapore. For more information, visit https://nqo.sg.
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore’s lead public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. A*STAR plays a key role in nurturing scientific talent and leaders for the wider research community and industry. A*STAR’s R&D activities span biomedical sciences to physical sciences and engineering, with research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis. For ongoing news, visit www.a-star.edu.sg.
Quantinuum, the world’s largest integrated quantum computing company, pioneers powerful quantum computers and advanced software solutions. Quantinuum’s technology drives breakthroughs in materials discovery, cybersecurity, and next-gen quantum AI. With over 500 employees, including 370+ scientists and engineers, Quantinuum leads the quantum computing revolution across continents.
About Duke-NUS Medical School
Duke-NUS is Singapore’s flagship graduate entry medical school, established in 2005 with a strategic, government-led partnership between two world-class institutions: Duke University School of Medicine and the National University of Singapore (NUS). Through an innovative curriculum, students at Duke-NUS are nurtured to become multi-faceted ‘Clinicians Plus’ poised to steer the healthcare and biomedical ecosystem in Singapore and beyond. A leader in ground-breaking research and translational innovation, Duke-NUS has gained international renown through its five signature research programmes and 10 centres. The enduring impact of its discoveries is amplified by its successful Academic Medicine partnership with Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), Singapore’s largest healthcare group. This strategic alliance has led to the creation of 15 Academic Clinical Programmes, which harness multi-disciplinary research and education to transform medicine and improve lives.
The Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) is Singapore’s flagship national research centre in quantum technologies. Supported under Singapore’s National Quantum Strategy, the centre has nodes at partner institutions and coordinates research talent across the country.
CQT’s partner institutions are universities – the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and the Singapore University of Technology and Design – and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research.
CQT brings together physicists, computer scientists and engineers to do basic research on quantum physics and to build devices based on quantum phenomena. Experts in this new discipline of quantum technologies are applying their discoveries in computing, communications, and sensing.
About the National Supercomputing Centre Singapore
Established in 2015, the National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) Singapore manages Singapore’s first national Petascale facility providing high performance computing (HPC) resources. As a National Research Infrastructure, NSCC supports private and public sector research including commercial companies, government agencies as well as higher education and research institutes. Through the support of its stakeholders including the Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR); Nanyang Technological University (NTU); National University of Singapore (NUS); Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD); the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS); and funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF), NSCC catalyses national research and development initiatives, attracts industrial research collaborations and enhances Singapore’s research capabilities. For more information, please visit: https://nscc.sg
ANNEX – Additional quotes from MoU signatories
“A*STAR’s BII is excited to bring its expertise in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics approaches to accelerate the development of quantum-classical hybrid algorithms, quantum algorithms, and applications through this MoU. The MoU will also facilitate knowledge exchange to enhance our understanding of quantum technologies, positioning us at the forefront of innovation in these critical fields,” said Dr. Sebastian Maurer-Stroh, Executive Director, A*STAR’s Bioinformatics Institute.
“Right now, many promising biological discoveries stall when it comes to finding the right drug candidate that is not only effective at treating the disease but is also well-tolerated by patients. The process of finding the right molecule is slow and often limited in how many variables can be accounted for in a single model. Augmenting our existing capabilities with quantum computing could resolve these limitations, leading to better drugs for patients faster,” said Associate Professor Enrico Petretto, Director of the Centre for Computational Biology at Duke-NUS, adding: “This partnership, which focuses on quantum applications in biology, will also benefit computational biologists-in-training seeking to deepen their understanding of how to incorporate quantum computing into their drug discovery work.”
“A*STAR’s IHPC has been harnessing central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs) to accelerate complex computations and optimise data-intensive tasks. With advancements in quantum computing technology, we are now integrating quantum processing unit (QPU) elements to push computational boundaries and drive innovation across various fields. Our partnership with Quantinuum is a step forward in improving applications such as drug discovery, potentially accelerating the development of new and effective drugs to improve healthcare outcomes and lower research costs”, said Dr. Su Yi, Executive Director, A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing.
"I am excited to start this new collaboration between our scientific experts in Singapore and the multinational company Quantinuum. We bring know-how in quantum algorithms and computational biology to work with the Quantinuum team, which is building some of the highest performing quantum computers available in the world today," said Professor José Ignacio Latorre, CQT Director and lead Principal Investigator for the National Quantum Computing Hub.
“The past year has seen a worldwide trend of accelerated efforts to integrate and co-locate supercomputers and quantum computers, which reflects the strong symbiotic relationship between classical and quantum systems. Singapore’s tie-up with Quantinuum will be a significant step in helping NSCC learn, plan and develop our future hybrid computing infrastructure to serve the needs of our research community,” said Terence Hung, Chief Executive, National Supercomputing Centre Singapore.
“This partnership with Quantinuum will boost Singapore’s digital ecosystem as researchers and companies will be able to participate in the development and experimentation of advanced quantum-based techniques. Quantinuum’s investment in Singapore will deepen our capabilities in Quantum Computing and catalyse innovation in globally relevant areas of scientific discovery such as computational biology," said Philbert Gomez, Vice President and Head, Digital Industry Singapore.
About Quantinuum
Quantinuum, the world’s largest integrated quantum company, pioneers powerful quantum computers and advanced software solutions. Quantinuum’s technology drives breakthroughs in materials discovery, cybersecurity, and next-gen quantum AI. With over 500 employees, including 370+ scientists and engineers, Quantinuum leads the quantum computing revolution across continents.
February 4, 2025
Quantinuum Announces Generative Quantum AI Breakthrough with Massive Commercial Potential
BROOMFIELD, CO, and LONDON, U.K. – February 4, 2025 – Quantinuum today announced a groundbreaking Generative Quantum AI framework (Gen QAI) – leveraging unique quantum-generated data to enable commercial applications in areas ranging from the development of new medicines, precise predictive modeling of financial markets and real-time optimization of global logistics and supply chains. The potential of these three capabilities alone is immense, and this framework is set to unlock solutions to other complex problems that classical computing cannot address.
For the first time, data generated by Quantinuum’s powerful H2 quantum computer can be harnessed to train AI systems, significantly enhancing the fidelity of AI models, allowing them to tackle challenges previously deemed unsolvable. Through this achievement, Quantinuum is setting a new standard for AI training and problem-solving across various industries.
“We are at one of those moments where the hypothetical is becoming real and the breakthroughs made possible by the precision of this quantum-generated data will create transformative commercial value across countless sectors. Gen QAI is a direct result of our full-stack capabilities and our leadership in hybrid classical-quantum computing, delivering an entirely new approach that stands to revolutionize AI,” said Dr. Raj Hazra, President and CEO of Quantinuum. On February 4, Dr. Hazra will join an expert panel at the 2025 International Year of Quantum (IYQ) ceremony in Paris to share further insights into our groundbreaking Gen QAI development.
“While some may suggest that a standalone quantum computer is still years away, the commercial opportunities from this breakthrough are here and now,” said Dr. Thomas Ehmer from the Healthcare business sector of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "The generation of meaningful synthetic data, specifically when you do not have many training data, is nontrivial and we see it as a new era for AI unlocked by quantum technologies. The Helios system, launching later this year will hopefully enable AI to be used in unprecedented ways and unlocking transformative potential across industries.”
Gen QAI leverages the unique capabilities of quantum computing to explore data complexities far beyond what classical computing systems and GPUs can handle. Quantinuum is collaborating with industry partners on Generative AI projects that harness the power of quantum computing in sectors such as automotive, pharmaceuticals and materials science. In the coming months, Quantinuum will share results from ongoing collaborations, showcasing the groundbreaking potential of quantum-driven advancements in Generative AI.
One notable collaboration is with the HPE Group in Italy, focusing on utilizing quantum computing in the automotive sector.
Enzo Ferrari, Executive Vice President of HPE Group, stated, “At HPE, we have a long-standing tradition of employing cutting-edge technologies for our clients in the motorsport industry. We are thrilled about our collaboration with Quantinuum, leveraging quantum-generated data for applications such as battery development, aerodynamic optimization and fuel innovation.”
As quantum computing gains significance globally, Quantinuum anticipates that its upcoming Helios system will exponentially extend computational capabilities, operational by mid-2025 for applications in drug discovery and addressing climate challenges. In particular, the innovative Gen QAI capability will enhance and accelerate the use of Metallic Organic Frameworks for drug delivery, paving the way for more efficient and personalized treatment options, with details to be unveiled at the launch of Helios.
This announcement also comes on the heels of Quantinuum’s recently expanded partnership with SoftBank, underscoring the company’s accelerating commercial momentum.
About Quantinuum
Quantinuum, the world’s largest and leading integrated quantum company, pioneers powerful quantum computers and advanced software solutions. Quantinuum’s technology drives breakthroughs in materials discovery, cybersecurity, and next-gen quantum AI. With over 500 employees, including 370+ scientists and engineers, Quantinuum leads the quantum computing revolution across continents.
Tokyo, Japan and Broomfield, Colorado, January 29th, 2025 — SoftBank Corp. ("SoftBank") and Quantinuum ("Quantinuum") announced they agreed to a wide-ranging partnership in quantum computing.
By combining their respective strengths, both companies will unlock innovative quantum computing solutions that will overcome the limitations of classical artificial intelligence (AI) and realize next-generation technologies.
This unique initiative coincides with the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) in 2025, and it is expected to ignite new business opportunities through the dynamic fusion of AI and quantum computing.
The Necessity of Quantum Computing Beyond the Limits of AI
In this modern era, AI is delivering impressive results across various domains. However, it is widely recognized that there are still significant challenges that AI alone is struggling to overcome. Complex optimization problems, deciphering causal relationship analysis, and conducting high-precision simulations based on fundamental equations remain formidable obstacles for current AI technologies.
Moreover, the hybrid approach that combines Central Processing Units (CPUs), Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), and Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) holds the potential to further extend the capabilities of AI. By leveraging the unique strengths of each type of processing unit, hybrid systems can execute more advanced and diverse computations, providing innovative solutions that surpass traditional limitations.
SoftBank and Quantinuum believe in the power of quantum computing and are committed to exploring its transformative potential.
Current State and Challenges of Quantum Computing
Despite impressive growth in the quantum computing sector, several technical and business challenges need to be addressed to advance the state-of-the-art so that quantum computers are used to solve practical problems.
(1) Building a Business Model
Initial Investment and Operational Costs: The substantial initial investment and operational costs required for the development and deployment of quantum computers lack concrete cost recovery strategies, which in turn suppresses the drive for companies to develop and adopt the technology.
Clarification of Revenue Models: The business models for generating revenue, including the methods of offering quantum computers and setting usage fees, have not yet been fully realized.
(2) Establishing Specific Use Cases
Discovering Use Cases: There is a shortage of use cases that clearly demonstrate which fields quantum computers will be useful in. Understanding the market size and revenue models through clear examples, especially in areas such as quantum chemical calculations and machine learning, is necessary.
Understanding the Market and Revenue Predictions: It is crucial to specifically identify the areas where computations can only be performed by quantum computers and are commercially viable, as well as to predict the timing and scale of these applications.
(3) Advancing Hardware and Software Technologies
Limitations and Challenges of Hardware: The current hardware performance (number of qubits and operation precision) of quantum computers is inadequate for handling practical problems, and significant enhancements in performance are needed for practical use.
Software Development and Error Mitigation: The development of hybrid algorithms that combine traditional methods, as well as advancements in error suppression, mitigation, and correction technologies, are essential to enable practical computations. Furthermore, developing technologies that mutually complement hardware and software are also indispensable.
Timing for Service Provision: Making decisions based on a deep understanding of technology to provide services at the optimal timing requires assessing the speed of technological advancements and market needs.
Key Activities
SoftBank and Quantinuum are committed to addressing these challenges together to advance the practical application of quantum computers.
(1) Joint Market Research & Business Model Development for Quantum Data Center
With a view toward the realization of a "quantum data center" capable of performing advanced calculation processing by combining CPUs, GPUs and quantum computers (QPUs), both companies will use the Japanese market as a foothold to conduct global market research in the Asia-Pacific region and other regions, and explore specific business models based on that research.
Both companies will jointly consider methods to reduce investment risks, such as revenue sharing and cost sharing.
(2) Construction of Quantum Use-Case Timelines and Validation
SoftBank will provide its own business challenges as use cases.
Both companies will clarify use cases in quantum chemistry and network analysis, and construct a timeline showing when these use cases will be realized. In quantum chemistry, the search for new optical switch materials for All Optical Networks is anticipated, while in network analysis, the application to anomaly detection and fraud detection in SoftBank's communication network is envisioned.
Both companies will develop software technology that makes effective use of limited hardware resources, and explore methods for linking CPUs, GPUs, and QPUs.
Comments from each company
Ryuji Wakikawa, Head of Research Institute of Advanced Technology, SoftBank Corp., commented: “SoftBank believes in the potential of quantum computers and has been testing and evaluating various internal issues using quantum computers, and has started to obtain certain results. However, as a telecommunications operator, there are still many challenges remaining regarding how to provide quantum computing services in Japan. Through our collaboration with Quantinuum, which possesses the world's highest-performance quantum computer hardware, we aim to be the first in the world to identify problems that can only be solved by quantum computers and look forward to significantly accelerating the practical application of quantum computing.”
Dr. Rajeeb Hazra, President and CEO of Quantinuum, commented: "Our partnership with SoftBank represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of quantum computing. By combining our strengths, we are poised to unlock innovative solutions that will not only enhance the capabilities of AI but also tackle challenges that have long been beyond reach. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a future where quantum technologies drive transformative advancements across multiple industries."
By integrating quantum computing with AI, this initiative is expected to contribute to problem-solving in diverse fields such as healthcare, finance, logistics, and energy. This collaboration not only addresses unsolved challenges but also creates new market opportunities and fosters technological innovation across society.
About SoftBank Corp.
Guided by the SoftBank Group’s corporate philosophy, “Information Revolution – Happiness for everyone,” SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) operates telecommunications and IT businesses in Japan and globally. Building on its strong business foundation, SoftBank Corp. is expanding into non-telecom fields in line with its “Beyond Carrier” growth strategy while further growing its telecom business by harnessing the power of 5G/6G, IoT, Digital Twin and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) solutions, including High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS)-based stratospheric telecommunications. While constructing AI data centers and developing homegrown LLMs specialized for the Japanese language with one trillion parameters, SoftBank is applying AI to enhance radio access network performance (AI-RAN) with the aim of becoming a provider of next-generation social infrastructure.
Quantinuum, the world’s largest integrated quantum computing company, pioneers powerful quantum computers and advanced software solutions. Quantinuum’s technology drives breakthroughs in materials discovery, cybersecurity, and next-gen quantum AI. With around 600 employees, including 370+ scientists and engineers, Quantinuum leads the quantum computing revolution across continents.
Quantinuum Announces Plans to Build a New Quantum R&D Center in New Mexico, Anchoring the State’s Quantum Technology Revolution
Quantinuum intends to establish cutting-edge research and development hub in New Mexico, a burgeoning epicenter for quantum technology innovation
The proposed center will focus on photonics technologies, which is essential to the advancement of Quantinuum’s trapped ion quantum computing technologies
Broomfield, Colorado, January 21st, 2025 —Quantinuum, the world’s largest integrated quantum computing company, announced plans today to open a new location in New Mexico. This anticipated site will support ongoing collaborative efforts to advance the photonics technologies critical to furthering Quantinuum’s product development. Photonics, the science and technology of light, is essential to the advancement of Quantinuum’s trapped ion quantum computing technologies, which use light to control and manipulate qubits.
New Mexico has established itself as a leader in quantum information sciences and the development of photonics and other enabling technologies. In July 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, as part of its Tech Hubs program, officially designated Colorado, home to Quantinuum’s U.S. Headquarters, and New Mexico as leading hubs for quantum information technology.
“I am thrilled to welcome Quantinuum to New Mexico, launching a new industry for our state that builds on our proud foundation of innovation,” said New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “No state is better positioned to transform the momentum of the quantum computing industry into major economic and entrepreneurial growth, and Quantinuum will be a groundbreaking partner in that work. Together we will leverage New Mexico’s assets, including the groundbreaking work being done at our national laboratories and the nation’s best quantum scientists being educated at our universities, to invest in and grow the state’s quantum technologies industry, creating career opportunities for New Mexicans and continuing to build the technology of the future.”
Dr. Rajeeb Hazra, President and CEO of Quantinuum, said, “As the established leader in quantum computing, Quantinuum has found an ideal partner in New Mexico. The state’s dynamic technology ecosystem and highly skilled workforce align perfectly with our strategic goals.”
Quantinuum’s New Mexico location, anticipated to open later this year, is expected to create high-paying jobs and drive economic growth. Quantinuum has a longstanding history of collaboration with experts from the national laboratories in New Mexico, such as Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory, and universities, such as The University of New Mexico, in showcasing the performance of the company’s trapped ion quantum computing hardware. These partnerships have not only advanced the exploration of innovative applications and use cases, but have also been instrumental in supporting workforce development, education and various other efforts in the state and region.
The development of technologies for quantum computing is critical to strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. The robust quantum ecosystem taking rise in New Mexico—from the national labs to universities to the private sector—will help ensure the United States is a leader in quantum computing.
About Quantinuum
Quantinuum, the world’s largest integrated quantum computing company, pioneers powerful quantum computers and advanced software solutions. Quantinuum’s technology drives breakthroughs in materials discovery, cybersecurity, and next-gen quantum AI. With more than 550 employees, including 370+ scientists and engineers, Quantinuum leads the quantum computing revolution across continents.
