Press Release
Qubit Pharmaceuticals strengthens its commitment to
DistriQ - Quantum Innovation Zone by partnering with the
PINQ² platform in order to accelerate pharmaceutical
research through quantum computing
- This collaboration, which announces a new era in the exploration of quantum computing applied to the discovery of new medication, is part of the expanding partnership between Qubit Pharmaceuticals and DistriQ - Quantum Innovation Zone.
- The IBM Quantum System One computer, operated by PINQ² in Quebec, allows Qubit Pharmaceuticals to access unrivalled computing power, thereby fostering research in the fields of molecular analysis and simulation.
Paris and Sherbrooke – December 13th, 2023 – Qubit Pharmaceuticals, a company fostering the application of highly advanced “Deep Tech” technologies and specializing in the discovery of new medical drugs through molecular simulation and modelling, accelerated through hybrid HPC and quantum computing, announces its partnership with the Platform for Digital and Quantum Innovation (PINQ² - Plateforme d'innovation numérique et quantique) in order to conduct research on new medical drugs, thereby strengthening its commitment to DistriQ – Quantum Innovation Zone.
This collaboration marks the beginning of a new era in the exploration of quantum computing applied to drug discovery, thanks to the HPC and quantum infrastructures operated by PINQ², which include the IBM Quantum System One computer installed at the IBM plant in Bromont, Quebec. Furthermore, as part of its expansion in North America, Qubit Pharmaceuticals is setting up facilities in Sherbrooke at Espace Quantique 1 (EQ1 - Quantum Space 1), a vast 50,000 square feet (4,600 square meters) area entirely dedicated to the quantum technology industry and located within DistriQ – Quantum Innovation Zone. This initiative is in addition to Qubit Pharmaceuticals’ current collaboration with the Acuité Québec Consortium.
By establishing a presence at Espace Quantique 1, Qubit Pharmaceuticals will benefit from access to DevTeQ, a world-renowned shared laboratory covering 20,000 square feet (1,800 square meters). In addition to this space dedicated to the quantum technology industry, Qubit Pharmaceuticals will also have access to PINQ²’s unique offering: a high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure as well as quantum technologies such as the IBM Quantum System One. This combination offers Qubit Pharmaceuticals an exceptional opportunity to access impressive computing power, driving advanced research in molecular analysis and simulation to unprecedented levels.
As one of the first users of this state-of-the-art hybrid quantum infrastructure, Qubit Pharmaceuticals is very well positioned to accelerate its research and development activities focusing on the design and optimization of quantum computing-based chemistry algorithms, in addition to its core activity, the discovery of new molecules that will treat rare diseases and complex targets.
Robert Marino, CEO of Qubit Pharmaceuticals: “By collaborating with PINQ² and by exploiting the potential of the IBM Quantum System One computer, Qubit Pharmaceuticals is paving the way to a new era of discoveries in the healthcare sector. This initiative is a significant step forward in terms of our ongoing commitment to providing innovative solutions to the complex challenges that medical drug discovery entails.”
Éric Capelle, General Manager of PINQ²: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Qubit Pharmaceuticals. This new cooperation provides an exceptional opportunity to catalyze medical research thanks to the expertise and worldwide reputation of Quebec’s quantum industry. This aligns perfectly with Quebec’s priorities in terms of quantum research.”
Martin Enault, General Manager of DistriQ – Quantum Innovation Zone: “The partnership between Qubit Pharmaceuticals and PINQ² inaugurates a promising new era where the power of quantum computing will propel pharmaceutical research to unprecedented speeds. Together, we are crossing a decisive threshold by combining scientific advances with technological innovation in order to take on the major healthcare challenges of tomorrow.”
About Qubit Pharmaceuticals
Qubit Pharmaceuticals was founded in 2020 with the vision of co-developing new, more effective, and safer drugs with pharmaceutical and biotech companies. A spin-off of the research work of five internationally renowned scientists – Louis Lagardère (Sorbonne University and CNRS), Matthieu Montes (CNAM), Jean-Philip Piquemal (Sorbonne University and CNRS), Jay Ponder (Washington University in St Louis), Pengyu Ren (University of Texas at Austin) - Qubit Pharmaceuticals leverages its Atlas platform to discover new drugs through simulation and molecular modelling accelerated by hybrid HPC and quantum computing. The multidisciplinary team, led by CEO Robert Marino, and the founders are based in France at the Paris Santé Cochin incubator and in the USA in Boston.
For more information, or to join an ambitious team, visit www.qubit-pharmaceuticals.com
About PINQ²
The Platform for Digital and Quantum Innovation is a non-profit organization created by the Université de Sherbrooke and the ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie du Québec (Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy of Quebec) in 2021. Its mission is to support organizations in accelerating their digital transformation, to enhance collaboration, and to simplify technology transfers between industries and research, in addition to training the talents of tomorrow.
About DistriQ – Quantum Innovation Zone
DistriQ, Sherbrooke's Quantum Innovation Zone, is a non-profit organization (NPO) that brings quantum technologies to life by supporting all stages of innovation, from university research to the commercialization of quantum technologies. DistriQ supports the development of Sherbrooke's collaborative ecosystem by bringing together quantum players, offering research infrastructure, and
building bridges with major companies that are potential users of quantum technologies.
Media contacts
Qubit Pharmaceuticals
Bruno Arabian – barabian@ulysse-communication.com – +33 6.87.88.47.26
Charles Courbet – ccourbet@ulysse-communication.com - + 33 6.28.93.03.06
Platform for Digital and Quantum Innovation (PINQ²)
Simon Faucher – sfaucher@zonefrancherp.com - +1 514-402-3873
DistriQ – Quantum Innovation Zone
Martin Enault - menault@distriq.com - +1 514-238-8937
