Collaboration delivered a successful solution for the most complex known protein folding problem ever executed on a quantum computer
KARLSRUHE, Germany & COLLEGE PARK, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kipu Quantum, a leader in application and hardware-specific quantum computing solutions, and IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), a leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, proudly announced a record achievement: the successful solution of the most complex known protein folding problem ever executed on a quantum computer.
This joint effort is the largest known quantum computation of its kind to-date, and demonstrates the synergy between Kipu’s innovative algorithmic framework and IonQ’s state-of-the-art hardware.
In their latest study, the teams solved:
- The largest known protein folding problem solved and executed on quantum hardware, comprising a 3D use case of up to 12 amino acids — an industry record on its own and a promising path towards commercial use of quantum computing for drug discovery.
- All-to-all connected spin-glass problems (QUBO) and MAX-4-SAT problems (HUBO) using up to 36 qubits, obtaining optimal solutions in all instances — an industry record for dense digital quantum computing problems executed on quantum hardware.
All instances were executed on IonQ’s Forte generation systems using Kipu Quantum’s flagship BF-DCQO (Bias-Field Digitized Counterdiabatic Quantum Optimization) algorithm. The results advance the frontier of near-term quantum computing and have the potential to make a large impact on biology and drug development.
BF-DCQO provides a non-variational, iterative method that is both accurate and resource-efficient. This algorithm can achieve better solutions with fewer quantum operations in each subsequent iteration. This is especially critical for protein folding, where several long-range interactions are present, making the all-to-all connectivity of IonQ’s trapped ion systems an important asset.
“Connectivity between qubits in quantum computing impacts efficiency and accuracy. Having all-to-all connectivity means faster time to solution, with higher quality results, and is a unique characteristic of trapped-ion systems. Combining that with Kipu’s unique quantum algorithms results in unparalleled performance with minimal resources, a sine qua non path to quantum advantage with IonQ’s next-generation system,” said Prof. Enrique Solano, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Kipu Quantum. “This collaboration is not only breaking performance records, but is also positioning us to actively pursue quantum advantage using trapped-ion technologies with IonQ for a wide class of industry use cases.”
”Our collaboration with Kipu Quantum has delivered breakthroughs in both speed and quality that sets a new standard for what’s possible in quantum computing today,” said Ariel Braunstein, SVP of Product at IonQ. “This collaboration demonstrates the value of every part of IonQ’s quantum computing stack – from the quality of our qubits and how they are connected, to our compiler and operating system to how error mitigation techniques are applied. Kipu’s capabilities complement IonQ’s cutting-edge systems perfectly and this collaboration is only the first step in our mutual pursuit of near-term commercial value for customers across multiple industries.”
IonQ and Kipu Quantum will extend their collaboration with early access to IonQ’s upcoming 64-qubit and 256-qubit chips, unlocking the potential to address even larger, industrially relevant challenges. Both companies are exploring additional use cases capable of delivering quantum-advantage in the near term across drug discovery, logistics, and material design.
Read the full study here: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2506.07866
About Kipu Quantum
Kipu Quantum is a world-class German company dedicated to advancing application- and hardware-specific quantum computing solutions across diverse industries. Since its founding in 2021, Kipu Quantum has consistently delivered groundbreaking innovations, achieving runtime quantum advantage and pioneering first quantum products. These advancements underscore the company’s commitment to addressing industry-relevant challenges through innovative algorithmic technology.
The company offers its solutions as quantum software on its PLANQK platform, which enables frictionless access for more than 220 organizations to integrate quantum solutions into their existing processes. Kipu Quantum is also the pioneer in the core merging of artificial intelligence with quantum computing. Kipu Quantum designs and builds smart agents along quantum workflows involving hardware and software, giving rise to the novel field called Agentic Quantum Computing. Learn more at Kipu-Quantum.Com.
About IonQ
IonQ, Inc. is a leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, delivering high-performance systems aimed at solving the world’s largest and most complex commercial and research use cases. IonQ’s current generation quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems and represent the forefront of the company’s technological roadmap as it advances toward its goal of building quantum computers with 2 million physical qubits by 2030. The company’s innovative technology and rapid growth were recognized in Newsweek’s 2025 Excellence Index 1000, Forbes’ 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list, and Built In’s 2025 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Washington DC and Seattle, respectively. Available through all major cloud providers, IonQ is making quantum computing more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ.com.
IonQ Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the words “accessible,” “advance,” “advances,” “aimed,” “available,” “can,” critical,” “cutting-edge,” “delivering,” “forefront,” “goal,” “growth,” “impactful,” “latest,” “leading,” “near term,” “potential,” “solving,” “upcoming,” “will,” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to the IonQ’s quantum computing capabilities and plans; IonQ’s technology driving commercial quantum advantage or delivering scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing in the future; the relevance and utility of quantum algorithms and applications run on IonQ’s quantum computers; the necessity, effectiveness, and future impacts of IonQ’s offerings available today; and the scalability, fidelity, efficiency, accuracy, accessibility, effectiveness, importance, reliability, performance, speed, impact, practicality, feasibility, and commercial-readiness of IonQ’s offerings. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: IonQ’s ability to implement its technical roadmap; changes in the competitive industries in which IonQ operates, including development of competing technologies; IonQ’s ability to deliver, and customers’ ability to generate, value from IonQ’s offerings; IonQ’s ability to deliver higher speed and fidelity gates with fewer errors, enhance information transfer and network accuracy, or reduce noise and errors; IonQ’s ability to implement its business plans, forecasts, roadmaps and other expectations, to identify and realize partnerships and opportunities, and to engage new and existing customers; IonQ’s ability to effectively enter new markets; IonQ’s ability to deliver services and products within currently anticipated timelines; and IonQ’s customers deciding or declining to extend contracts into new phases. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company’s filings, including but not limited to those described in the “Risk Factors” section of IonQ’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and reports on Form 10-Q. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and IonQ assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. IonQ does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.
Contacts
Kipu Quantum Contact:
Joanna Folberth
Joanna.folberth@kipu-quantum.com
IonQ Media Contact:
Jane Mazur
press@ionq.com
IonQ Investor Contact:
investors@ionq.co
