PALO ALTO, Calif. – October 01, 2024 – D-Wave Quantum Inc. (“D-Wave” or the “Company”), a leader in quantum computing systems, software, and services and the world’s first commercial supplier of quantum computers, and the pharmaceutical division of Japan Tobacco Inc. (“JT”) today announced plans to collaborate on a joint proof-of-concept project that will leverage quantum computing technology and artificial intelligence (“AI”) in the drug discovery process, i.e., “Quantum AI-driven Drug Discovery.”

Supported by D-Wave's team of professional services experts, the AI team in JT’s pharmaceutical division will utilize D-Wave's annealing quantum computing solutions as accelerators in the speed and quality of training JT’s novel AI-driven analysis systems, aiming to extend the applicable range of such AI systems in the drug discovery field (AI-driven Drug Design). The goal of the project is to pioneer a new process for discovering 'first-in-class' pharmaceutical small compounds.

"In our development of AI-driven drug discovery systems, we have been focusing on and researching quantum computing technologies as a speed and quality accelerator in the drug design process,” said Dr. Masaru Tateno, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of JT's Pharmaceutical Research Center. “In this context, we examine our novel theory and systems in our joint proof-of-concept project, and thus we have high expectations for the effectiveness of D-Wave's annealing quantum computing solutions. By utilizing D-Wave's quantum technology, we aim to pioneer a new standard that significantly accelerates the speed and quality of drug discovery and expands the exploration space for pharmaceutical small compounds."

"Pharmaceutical companies need to maintain competitiveness while addressing the challenges of difficulty, uncertainty, and duration in new drug development, creating an environment that is accelerating the speed and quality for AI drug discovery,” said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. “D-Wave is committed to supporting JT's pharmaceutical division in maximizing the capabilities of AI through quantum computing technology, with the goal of expanding the exploration space for pharmaceutical small compounds."  

Following the proof-of-concept project, JT’s pharmaceutical division plans to further advance the developed, Quantum AI-driven Drug Discovery analysis systems and eventually move the application of quantum computing technology into production operations.