Quantum computing's potential for drug discovery: Early stage industry dynamics. Issue 7 (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zinner, Maximillian; Dahlhausen, Florian; Boehme, Philip; Ehlers, Jan; Bieske, Linn; Fehring, Leonard
• Is Part Of: Drug discovery today. Volume 26:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: 1680
• Page End: 1688
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Quantum computing -- Quantum technology -- Technology adoption -- Pharmaceutical industry -- Computational drug design -- Drug discovery -- Drug development; AI artificial intelligence -- ML machine learning -- Pharmaco pharmaceutical company -- QC quantum computer or quantum computing; Drugs -- Design -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Research -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.06.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-6446

Abstract

Highlights: Quantum computing has gained momentum across the entire pharmaceutical ecosystem. Most quantum computing efforts to date have been related to lead optimization and compound screening. Research collaborations between stakeholders are common for quantum computing. Abstract: Quantum computing (QC) is expected to revolutionize drug research by performing tasks classical supercomputers are not capable of. However, practically useful quantum computation is not yet a reality, and thus it is still unclear when and whether QC will be capable of solving real-world issues in drug discovery. By identifying the QC-related activities of pharmaceutical companies, startups, and academia in the field of drug discovery and development, we show that QC has gained traction across all of these stakeholder groups, that there is focus on developing utilities related to lead optimization and compound screening, and that there is a need for collaboration in the highly dynamic QC ecosystem.