Kipu Quantum
Protein Folding and Optimization Issues See New Performance Records Set by IonQ and Kipu Quantum
A major advancement in the field of quantum computing has been disclosed by Kipu Quantum, a pioneer in application and hardware-specific quantum computing solutions, and IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), a prominent commercial quantum computing and networking firm. Their partnership has demonstrated a viable path towards the commercial application of quantum computing in fields such as drug development by setting new performance records for complicated optimisation problems and protein folding.
The most difficult protein folding task ever tackled on quantum hardware was successfully resolved by the team. This accomplishment, which featured a three-dimensional use case with up to 12 amino acids, set a record for the industry and suggested that quantum computing may be used in drug discovery. In addition to protein folding, the teams also worked on challenging optimisation issues such as MAX-4-SAT problems (HUBO) and all-to-all connected spin-glass problems (QUBO). An industry record for dense digital quantum computing problems carried out on quantum hardware was set when these issues were solved with up to 36 qubits and optimal solutions were discovered in each case.
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IonQ’s Forte generating systems were used for all calculations. Kipu Quantum’s flagship BF-DCQO (Bias-Field Digitised Counterdiabatic Quantum Optimisation) algorithm played a crucial role in the success. The BF-DCQO algorithm is described as an accurate, resource-efficient, non-variational, iterative technique. With fewer quantum operations per iteration, it can produce better results. For intricate processes involving multiple long-range interactions, such as protein folding, this efficiency is especially advantageous. For these calculations, IonQ’s trapped-ion systems’ intrinsic all-to-all connectivity proved to be a valuable resource.
Kipu Quantum’s co-founder and co-CEO, Prof. Enrique Solano, emphasised the significance of this special link. “Qubit connectivity affects accuracy and efficiency in quantum computing,” he said. One special feature of trapped-ion systems is their all-to-all connectedness, which leads in a quicker time to solution and higher-quality outcomes. “Unparalleled performance with minimal resources” is the outcome of combining this connectivity with Kipu’s unique quantum algorithms, he added, and he saw this as a “sine qua non path to quantum advantage with IonQ’s next-generation system.” This partnership is “positioning us to actively pursue quantum advantage using trapped-ion technologies with IonQ for a wide class of industry use cases,” Solano continued.
“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, echoing the importance of the alliance. According to Braunstein, the partnership shows the worth of each element of IonQ’s quantum computing stack, including the calibre and interconnectivity of their qubits, their operating system, compiler, and error-reduction strategies. Additionally, he pointed out that Kipu’s capabilities are a perfect match for IonQ’s state-of-the-art systems and that this is just the beginning of their joint quest for short-term economic value across a range of industries.
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In the future, IonQ and Kipu Quantum intend to further their partnership by incorporating next 64- and 256-qubit chips. It is anticipated that this development would open the door to solving even more significant and practically applicable problems. Both businesses are currently looking for other use cases in industries like material design, logistics, and drug research that could provide a significant advantage in the near future. The outcomes of this groundbreaking study could have a big influence on biology and medication development, and they are set to push the boundaries of near-term quantum computing.
About Kipu Quantum
Established in 2021, Kipu Quantum is a German business committed to developing hardware and application-specific quantum computing solutions for a range of sectors. The business has continuously produced ground-breaking inventions, leading the way in the first quantum products and attaining runtime quantum advantage. With its PLANQK platform, Kipu Quantum provides its quantum software solutions, enabling more than 220 organizations to easily incorporate quantum technologies into their current workflows. By creating intelligent agents for quantum workflows and combining artificial intelligence with quantum computing, Kipu Quantum is also credited as being a pioneer in the emerging field of Agentic Quantum Computing.
About IonQ
One of the top commercial quantum computing and networking companies, IonQ, Inc., provides high-performance solutions designed to address the most difficult business and scientific problems in the world. The company’s latest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are at the vanguard of its technology roadmap for creating quantum computers and have 36 algorithmic qubits. Numerous industry honours, such as Newsweek’s 2025 Excellence Index 1000, Forbes’ 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies ranking, and Built In’s 2025 100 Best Midsize Places to Work, have acknowledged IonQ’s cutting-edge technology and quick expansion. All of the main cloud providers provide IonQ’s significant and easily accessible quantum computing solutions.
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