Published: August 2023
Stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry are actively investigating the potential applications of quantum computing in drug discovery and development to streamline processes, reduce costs, and expedite timelines. We analyzed over 70 companies that offer software and hardware for quantum computing in drug discovery across different regions. In this article, discover 10 quantum computing companies and their capabilities in this industry.
Drug discovery, development and commercialization is a time and cost intensive process, which typically takes around 10-15 years and capital investment worth USD 4-10 billion. It involves various processes, such as target identification, validation, hit generation, hit to lead and lead optimization, followed by development processes including optimization and formulation, clinical trials and final approval by authorized regulatory bodies. Despite several advancements in drug discovery technologies, the process remains complex and expensive. In order to address these concerns, pharmaceutical developers are shifting their focus to innovative approaches to ease the drug discovery process and affiliated challenges. Quantum computing has emerged as a prominent technology that helps drug developers in identifying potential lead candidates with desired physiochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, while reducing the need for extensive screening procedures. Quantum computing holds the potential to reduce pre-clinical failures, accurately analyze large and complex molecules in a shorter timeframe, and save costs. IBM was the first company to make quantum computing machines accessible through cloud, which has made it possible for the pharmaceutical industry to use quantum computing to solve drug discovery problems. There are several start ups focused on use of quantum computing for drug discovery, including companies like Kuano, Qunova Computing and Qsimulate. However, with the availability of information on the use cases, big pharmaceutical is stepping on the wagon through collaborations and funding support to the start ups. Merck with investment in SeeQC and Biogen with partnership with 1Qbit are just a few examples.
Roots Analysis has conducted an exhaustive study on Quantum Computing in Drug Discovery Services Market featuring the current market landscape and future opportunity for the service providers involved in offering software and hardware based on quantum computing for drug discovery, over a span of 12 years.
Considering the high potential of quantum computing to save high-cost investments as it reduces pre-clinical failure and accurately analyzes large and complex molecules in a shorter span of time. As a result, a large number of stakeholders within the industry are expected to integrate this approach into their drug discovery and development processes. With rise in adoption of quantum computing in drug discovery, the demand for quantum computers is projected to experience significant growth in the coming future.
Below, we have listed (in alphabetical order), the top 10 Quantum Computing Companies Transforming Drug Discovery.
Interested in exploring all 70+ Quantum Computing Companies Offering Services for Drug Discovery?
This article highlights the top quantum computing companies to watch out for in the pharmaceutical industry. These companies were chosen based on their visibility in the pharmaceutical industry for application in drug discovery and their recent work in this area, either independently or in partnership. It is essential to note that the selection of top players can differ substantially according to the defined criteria(s).
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Amazon web services is a US-based firm offering cloud-based services and hardware for quantum computing in drug discovery. Since 2019, amazon web services include Amazon Braket service which provides a platform for users to run quantum algorithms, simulate quantum systems, and experiment with quantum computing in the cloud for drug discovery and development.
Amazon Web Services portfolio for quantum computing in drug discovery includes:
Recent Industry Applications:
In April 2022, AWS announced that researchers in France have recently used the high-performance computing capabilities offered by Amazon Web Services to successfully separate and identify two chemical compounds having potential to slow or stop the spread of COVID 19. More recently, in May 2023, UAE based The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), a leading global scientific research center, announced a research agreement under which the center will access the quantum computing technologies via Amazon Bracket. Further information related to type of offering, data storage on cloud and compatible computational approach is available in full report.
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IBM is a US-based company that has emerged as one of the leading providers of quantum computing hardware, which can integrate with both cloud and artificial intelligence for drug discovery. In 2016, IBM started the initiative called IBM Quantum providing access to a network of quantum computers and related tools through the cloud, allowing researchers for drug discovery and development. Further, IBM researchers are currently exploring the use of quantum computing to simulate molecular systems in order to predict the properties of potential drug candidates more accurately. It is worth mentioning that by leveraging the unique capabilities of quantum systems including quantum superposition and entanglement, IBM aims to accelerate the discovery and development of drugs. In November 2022, IBM collaborated with Algorithmiq, a Finland based quantum computing start up harnessing quantum computing for drug discovery. The two companies will bring together their complementary tools to pave way towards useful quantum advantage for quantum chemistry in order to cut down the time and cost of drug discovery and development.
IBM portfolio for quantum computing in drug discovery includes:
Recent Industry Applications:
In March 2023, IBM unveiled the IBM Quantum System One, an on-site quantum computer installed at the Cleveland Clinic’s main campus in Cleveland. In addition to other applications, researchers will be utilizing quantum computing for drug discovery including to screen and optimize drugs targeted to specific proteins. Further information related to type of offering, data storage on cloud and compatible computational approach is available in full report.
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Menten AI is US based firm focused on drug discovery, specifically for the development of peptides for effective treatments. The company is primarily focused on creating advanced generative AI platforms for peptide therapeutics. The platform combines machine learning techniques with physics-based methods for molecular modeling. In addition, the platform has the unique ability to generate its own data based on fundamental principles and utilize machine learning that helps in designing and optimization of innovative peptides. In January 2022, Menten AI collaborated with Xanadu for platform utilization in order to build solutions on Xanadu's open-source software namely PennyLane, to design novel drug molecules that can efficiently bind to a specific target of interest. The company has also been using D-wave System’s supercomputer with its algorithms for figuring out sequences of peptides and proteins.
Menten AI portfolio for quantum computing in drug discovery includes:
Recent Industry Applications:
In August 2021, Menten AI created the world’s first protein which was designed on quantum computer along with AI and AWS. Further information related to business capabilities, platform capability, drug discovery service, type of molecule supported, compatible computational approach, end users and target therapeutic area is available in full report.
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Polaris Quantum Biotech, a US based company, leverages the power of quantum computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning to transform the field of drug discovery and development. The company is focusing on reducing the time taken to develop pre-clinical drug candidates. The company offers a drug design platform Tachyon having capability to optimize multiple molecules in faster runs. This provides a distinct advantage for drug discovery, by efficiently finding novel molecules that are promising candidates for drug design. POLARISqb and Fujitsu joined hands in March 2020 to develop a drug discovery platform using Fujitsu’s Digital Annealer and Polaris’s platform to develop drugs targeting dengue fever. As claimed by the companies, the process from lead identification to in-vitro testing can be reduced to 8 months instead of 2-4 years taken by conventional drug discovery process. In August 2021, the company received more than USD 2 million to grow the team, scale their platform and develop assets faster.
Polaris Quantum Biotech portfolio for quantum computing in drug discovery includes:
Recent Industry Applications:
In August 2022, the company entered into research and development agreement with Auransa in order to discover biological pathways relevant to the treatment of triple negative breast cancer. In January 2022, POLARISqb entered into a collaboration with UK based PhoreMost Limited to scan billions of molecules using Tachyon quantum computing platform for development of cancer therapies. Further information related to business capabilities, platform capability, drug discovery service, type of molecule supported, compatible computational approach, end users and target therapeutic area is available in full report.
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Atos has been one of the important players in quantum computing in drug discovery. Atos has made significant advancements in quantum computing through its Quantum Learning Machine, a quantum simulator that allows researchers and developers to explore with quantum algorithms. The platform helps to solve complex computational problems involved in the discovery and design of new drugs. Quantum algorithms have the potential to accelerate molecular modeling, simulation, and optimization processes, enabling researchers to analyze large datasets and explore a broader range of chemical compounds in a shorter time. In November 2022, Atos collaborated with IBM for technology integration in order to deliver end-to-end quantum computing technologies and capabilities, as part of the group’s hybrid computing strategy.
Atos portfolio for quantum computing in drug discovery includes:
Recent Industry Applications:
In May 2023, Eviden, a digital business of Atos launched QaptivaTM, which is newest version of quantum computing for the developers, researchers and scientists to develop tangible real world applications. Further information related to business capabilities, platform capability, drug discovery service, type of molecule supported, compatible computational approach, end users and target therapeutic area is available in full report.
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Aqemia is a pharmatech based company, which has been working to scale the process of drug discovery via incorporating quantum-inspired physics and machine learning. The company is combating the drug discovery projects from its early stage using the quantum physics algorithms from the research experience of 12 years at Oxford, Cambridge and ENS/CNRS. The company has undergone various collaborations with large pharmaceutical companies as well as started its in-house drug discovery-based projects, which are focused from hit generation to vivo assays. In October 2022, Aqemia raised €30M in a venture round by Eurazeo and Bpifrance to scale Aqemia’s drug discovery platform combined with quantum computing.
Aqemia portfolio for quantum computing in drug discovery includes:
Recent Industry Applications:
Aqemia has entered into AI and quantum physics-based drug discovery collaborations with pharmaceutical companies including Servier, Sanofi and Janssen. The latest announcement came in January 2023, when the company announced an extension of a 2021 partnership on an undruggable target in immuno-oncology. Further information related to business capabilities, platform capability, drug discovery service, type of molecule supported, compatible computational approach, end users and target therapeutic area is available in full report.
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Accenture uses quantum computing platforms to offer target discovery / identification drug discovery services in order to cater to the needs of pharmaceutical industry. Accenture Labs and 1QBit collaborated to modify the cloud-based API and pre-built structural molecular comparison algorithm to satisfy Biogen's extra pharmacophore requirements. An accomplishment by Accenture and Biogen that proved the quantum-enabled approach for molecular comparison was as good as or better than existing approaches, is a development that shows quantum computing has the potential to significantly advance the drug discovery process in the pharmaceutical industry and enhance patient outcomes. In April 2022, Accenture invested in Good Chemistry Company to unfold the growth potential of quantum computing and drive faster and accurate rate of drug discovery.
Accenture portfolio for quantum computing in drug discovery includes:
Recent Industry Applications:
In the recent past, Accenture worked with Biogen, a leading biotechnology company to verify the quantum-enabled method to understand the molecule bonds and its potential to fasten the overall process of drug discovery. Further information related to business capabilities, platform capability, drug discovery service, type of molecule supported, compatible computational approach, end users and target therapeutic area is available in full report.
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Qubit Pharmaceutical, is a European quantum computing startup using the technology for drug discovery. It also offers a quantum computing platform called Atlas for drug discovery and development. The primary objective of the platform is to improve the accuracy and precision of drug discovery and design within the healthcare industry by leveraging the power of quantum computing. By employing this platform, developers can efficiently discover, optimize, and validate potential drug candidates, enabling them to perform complex computational calculations in reduced time frames. Qubit Pharmaceuticals entered into platform utilization agreement with NVIDIA to create hybrid computing platform in order to accelerate drug discovery.
Qubit Pharmaceuticals portfolio for quantum computing in drug discovery includes:
Recent Industry Applications:
In parallel, a team at Qubit Pharmaceuticals discovered the potential drug candidate for the treatment of COVID-19 in a timespan of six months. Moreover, they have also inclined their focus on the treatment of cancer and inflammation related disorders. Further information related to business capabilities, platform capability, drug discovery service, type of molecule supported, compatible computational approach, end users and target therapeutic area is available in full report.
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Fujitsu, a Tokyo based firm, is one of the leading providers of quantum computing services in drug discovery and development. The company is focused on research and development of quantum computing; with collaborative efforts via academic and industrial players. The Fujitsu quantum-based platform claims to enhance the quality and speed up the lead discovery of small molecules by shortening the time to about 8 months. In November 2022, Fujitsu created a new quantum/HPC hybrid computing technology that can provide optimize the workload as this new AI based software focus on time calculation, accuracy of calculation as well as consider the cost required.
Fujitsu portfolio for quantum computing in drug discovery includes:
Recent Industry Applications:
In March 2023, Fujitsu and Osaka University’s Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology (QIQB) developed an architecture based on quantum computing with a significant reduction in the requirement of the number of physical qubits. Further information related to business capabilities, platform capability, drug discovery service, type of molecule supported, compatible computational approach, end users and target therapeutic area is available in full report.
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PharmCADD is a South Korea based company that has developed technologies called PharmulatorTM and PharmVACTM based on AI & Quantum Physics. PharmulatoTM is a unified drug discovery platform that uses five basic modules to produce candidates with higher potential, which include Drug Generation, Protein/RNA 3D Structure Prediction, Virtual Screening, Quantum Calculation, and Toxicity Prediction. Further, PharmVACTM is primarily focused on integrating the AI for the development of vaccines. IN December 2022, PharmCADD joined hands with another South Korea based quantum computing software start up QNova to jointly develop new drug candidates using quantum computing.
PharmCADD portfolio for quantum computing in drug discovery includes:
Recent Industry Applications:
In March 2023, PharmCADD signed a MoU with Cancer Cell Diversity Molecular Control Research Center to utilize the former’s AI- based platform for development of anticancer drugs. Further information related to business capabilities, platform capability, drug discovery service, type of molecule supported, compatible computational approach, end users and target therapeutic area is available in full report.
The above presentation features ten quantum computing companies selected from a pool of over 70 quantum computing companies that we have compiled. If you're interested, you can download the Sample Report on this topic by Roots Analysis. For personalized assistance in identifying the most relevant solutions based on your specific criteria, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at sales@rootsanalysis.com.
I am an accomplished pharmaceutical consultant with rich and diverse pharmaceutical market research experience spanning more than 5 years. My educational background includes a Master's degree in Pharmaceutics (M.Pharm) from an esteemed university, which has provided me with a solid foundation in understanding the intricate mechanisms of drugs and their interactions within the human body. In my professional journey to date, I have had the privilege of working with various pharmaceutical companies, leveraging my expertise to provide valuable insights and strategic guidance. What sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to staying at the forefront of the ever-evolving pharmaceutical landscape. In an industry characterized by rapid advancements and dynamic changes, I make it a priority to remain well-informed about the latest developments, regulatory updates, and emerging trends. My journey has been marked by a continuous quest for knowledge, an unrelenting passion for data-driven insights, and an unwavering commitment to guiding pharmaceutical companies towards success in an ever-changing world.
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