China set up first quantum computing-empowered medicine research institute

China has set up the country's first medicine research institute powered by quantum computing and data in east China's Anhui Province, Xinhua reports with reference to China Science Daily

Photo by Xinhua

The Hefei quantum computing and data medicine research institute, jointly established by Bengbu Medical University and Origin Quantum Computing Technology (Hefei) Co., Ltd., is dedicated to applying quantum computing power in the medical field and commercialising its research achievements.

The new institute, leveraging its strengths in quantum computing, medical research, and talent development, will conduct real-machine verification of quantum medical algorithms, promote deep co-operation between quantum computing and medical research, advance the training of data medicine professionals, so as to empower China's medical data security and applications with quantum computing.

Guo Guoping, the Deputy Director of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Quantum Information in the University of Science and Technology of China, said that the new institute will promote the ‘handshake’ between China's independent quantum computing power and its extensive medical data. This approach will also be used to explore new paths for cultivating talent in quantum data medicine.

Last year, the Bengbu Medical University and Origin Quantum released China's first achievement in applying domestically-developed superconducting quantum computers in medical research. This milestone has improved the efficiency of breast molybdenum target detection, showcasing the advantages of quantum computing power.

The two parties are currently jointly exploring the acceleration of small molecule drug development with quantum computing power. This effort is based on Origin Wukong, China's self-developed superconducting quantum computer released by Origin Quantum. Since its launch in January, Origin Wukong has completed 298,000 quantum computing tasks for users from 137 countries and regions worldwide.