POLARISqb, a Durham based startup is a company that utilizes cutting edge computing to power computational chemistry simulations, developing quantum and near quantum software that cuts drug development timelines by more than half. However, recent events on the global stage got the company thinking about other ways that its algorithms could be used, and this week has announced the creation of the POLARISqb Maritime Division. This unique endeavor from the company intends to make waves in the business of dredging, salvage, and recovery consulting, providing services to companies around the globe. They intend to be three sheets to the wind in the expansion of their client base.
The company did not waste time in seeking out a Chief Nautical Officer, and
POLARISqb Chief Nautical Officer Shil Bippman
clearly like the cut of industry veteran Shil Bippman’s jib, who has always been known to run a tight ship. “Everyone has been aware for a long time that next to chemistry, materials science is one of the most quantum applicable fields of study at present” said Bippman, “when we did the math, both literally and figuratively, doing this kept us on the right tack.” Bippman went on to explain the ways that quantum thermodynamics and hydrodynamics could easily be simulated using the latest quantum annealing computers and algorithms very similar to the ones the company had already been developing. By changing a few variables and rerouting the power coupling using a fairly experimental capacitor from Emmett Brown Quantum called simply the “Flux,” the company was able to simulate complex interactions between multiple boats and impediments such as sediment and sludge buildup in a canal, or old timey pirates.
“Sand moves in fairly predictable ways, but when you introduce water, currents, multiple tugboats, and a line of ships 500 miles long waiting to pass, a lot of variables come into play.” Bippman explained. “It is thrilling to be able to toe the line of what is possible with vanguard of modern computing to negotiate what path for the dredger is going to get everything back hunky dory, and how multiple boats can maneuver in concert to solve multimillion dollar problems.”
When asked about recent events in the Suez canal, and whether or not their software had been used to help free the marooned ship that was blocking the important trading route, Bippman was taken aback, stating, “Oh I do not know much about that situation, was it a dredging and tugboat issue as well? Well I certainly would not comment on our work with any clientele that had made it explicitly clear that we were not, under any circumstances, to discuss the details of our partnership with their organization. Certainly not. No.” If they were instrumental in solving that crisis, it is clear that someone has asked them to batten down the hatches and not rock the boat. However if it was POLARISqb that got that situation shipshape and Bristol fashion, expect them to be all hands on deck with this new venture, as they will have sailors storming the gangways to work with them.
The pace of scientific discovery today moves at an alarming rate, and often there are great challenges in communicating scientific concepts that many would believe you need a masters degree to understand. However, many scientists and researchers are finding unique ways to share the knowledge that they are creating with the wider world to the benefit of all, both in entertainment value and dissemination of information.
Recently, Ars Technica covered the 13th year of the "Dance your Ph.D." contest, with entrants from the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, and social sciences hailing from around the world, and creating some amazing content that is both a joy to watch and scientifically accurate and informative. The winners hailed from Helsinki and filmed their video in a Covid safe and extremely cold environment, fighting both the elements and interference from the local meteorological institute. The winner, Jakub Kubecka won this contest with a hip hop music video dance based on his work on the physics of atmospheric molecular clusters. We are impressed by all of the entrants work and know that their work will inspire other scientists to seek new and innovative ways to communicate their own research.
Obviously the importance of scientific communication has been at the forefront of many people's minds this years with the Covid-19 epidemic forcing people around the world to delve more deeply into the world of virology than they had ever thought they would. This has also provided the opportunity to develop communication tools that are not only scientifically accurate, but can save lives simply by disseminating accurate information about the virus. A recent Washingtonian article highlighted the work of many graphic designers who have developed a series of posters that you can print and use in your own life, many of which were both poignant and stunningly beautiful.
The more that people are able to engage with science and develop their own scientific literacy, the better situations like the recent pandemic can be handled. And while not everyone will likely go out and get a Ph.D. in computational chemistry or microbiology, understanding the scientific concepts that can affect our everyday lives, from climate change to medical research, is a valuable endeavor for all.
PM 360 is one of the leading magazines in the pharmaceutical marketing world, with an audience of marketing decision makers in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industries. Published monthly, the magazine focuses on leadership as well as, "issues that directly impact critical decision making,including: planning and implementation of cutting edge strategies, trends, the latest technological advances," in their writing.
This year, POLARISqb was honored to be one of eight companies that were named "Innovative Startups" by the magazine, along with Evozyne, Steady Shot, ImmunAI, Exocel, wePool, Conversation Health and Theraneutrics. These companies are working with some of the most advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and synthetic biotech to address medical issues from diabetes to COVID-19, but POLARISqb stands alone as the sole quantum application selected to the list. Having developed a quantum application for designing drugs, we continue to pursue a vastly greater understanding of our chemical universe, identifying molecules that will become treatments and cures for all diseases for all people. Advancements in quantum computers technology continue to speed our work towards a quantum-based platform that provides chemical simulations at many times the speed of current traditional systems.
We are proud to be recognized for our work and innovation in drug discovery for biopharma applications by one of the leading publications on pharmaceutical marketing, a list that has in the past included companies such as H1 who went on to raise over $71M in capital funding and OM1 who raised over $86M, and Sema4 which raised over $240M. POLARISqb looks to be the next in their line of success, and the first quantum alumni of the list to revolutionize the world of biotech and pharmaceuticals.