Boehringer Ingelheim Joins QUTAC as Founding Member

Research-driven biopharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim, has joined the Quantum Technology and Application Consortium (QUTAC) as a founding member, it was revealed in a June 10, 2021 press release.

Ten German companies, based in the fields of pharmaceuticals, chemistry, insurance, and the automotive industry, make up the consortium, which is aimed at exploring industrial applications for quantum computing. Through advancing the potential industrial applications of quantum computing, QUTAC founding members hope to make a contribution to progressing the technology across both the German and European markets.

“As part of QUTAC, we will contribute to further advance the research for industrial solutions in the field of quantum computing,” said Michael Schmelmer, member of the board of managing directors of Boehringer Ingelheim with responsibility for Finance and Group Functions, in the press release. “Together with our partners at QUTAC, we want to create the basis for an efficient use of the quantum computing potential in the future. Even though it may still take some years until this technology is ready for industrial use, we need to define and explore a variety of specific use-cases across several industries now.”

Quantum computing has potential in research and development of pharmaceuticals, particularly for the accurate simulation and comparison of much larger molecular structures. Early research processes, which is an area of expertise for Boehringer Ingelheim, could benefit from this technology.

“Last year, we set up a dedicated Quantum Lab to explore specific applications for pharmaceutical research and development. Apart from these internal developments, partnerships with academia and the industry play an important role,” added Schmelmer in the press release.

Source: Boehringer Ingelheim