Why quantum for drug discovery now?
A quantum leap in computational capabilities
Identifying the right molecule for a drug from a vast chemical space is a complex optimization challenge that pushes the limits of classical computing. PolarisQB overcomes this limitation by using quantum computers, which are uniquely suited for handling large scale searches.
Unlike classical computers that use bits as 0s or 1s, quantum computers use qubits, which can represent 0, 1, or both at the same time. This ability, combined with phenomena like entanglement and tunneling, allows quantum computers to process vast combinations of states simultaneously.
Computational capabilities of quantum technology are advancing at a “doubly exponential” rate according to Neven’s Law, already solving complex optimization problems that are too time-consuming and costly for traditional computers.
Traditional drug discovery methods are hitting their limits
We cannot keep doing the same things over and over again and expect different outcomes.
“Drug research and development are essentially chemistry problems characterized by high failure rates, high R&D costs, and long development cycles.”
Drug discovery is at the intersection of two inflection points
Advances in technology have driven exponential growth in the number of known protein structures and our understanding of disease targets.
At the same time, after five decades of increasing computational power following Moore’s Law, the growth rate of classical computing is reaching its physical limit.
Transforming drug screening and predictions
Quantum computing harnesses quantum mechanics to perform complex calculations at speeds unattainable by classical computers, revolutionizing in silico drug design to help computational teams achieve unprecedented results.
Discover hard-to-find molecules
Explore a chemical space that is twenty orders of magnitude larger than what traditional methods can handle.
Accelerate design cycles
Use large-scale multi-objective optimization to find easy-to-synthesize molecules and minimize design iterations.
Understand your results
Physics-based models provide explainable results, giving chemists a clear understanding of why certain molecules are optimal.
Research any drug target
Use large-scale multi-objective optimization to find easy-to-synthesize molecules and minimize design iterations.
Quantum computing today: the corner has been turned
Our partnership with quantum computing pioneer D-Wave allows us to leverage commercially available quantum annealing technology, specifically designed to solve large-scale complex optimization problems much faster than traditional computers.
This order of magnitude increase in speed allows our Quantum-Aided Drug Design (QuADD) solutions to reduce the time it takes to identify optimal molecules for drug development from months to days.
What our customers are saying
“Our collaboration with PolarisQB led to rapid identification of viable drug candidates, significantly accelerating our research timeline towards quality solutions for hard to tackle or neglected diseases affecting women’s health.”
“Using quantum computing and advanced AI technology with PolarisQB, we explored a chemical space that was previously undefined, leading to the discovery of novel molecules for our primary program of Optimizing the Aging and Longevity Molecular Process much faster than expected.”
“This partnership represents the ultimate ambition for collaboration between biology and technology, where the full diversity of newly identified disease targets can be married to the most logical and rapid method of finding small molecule drugs.”
