A team of researchers from the University of Nottingham have received funding to explore the capabilities of quantum computing for developing new drugs for myotonic dystrophy.
Building on an initial award of over £1m, a team of researchers from the University of Nottingham, with partners Phasecraft and QuEra Computing Inc., are one of only eight successful teams worldwide to progress to the second phase of the Wellcome Leap $50 million supported challenge programme Quantum for Bio (Q4Bio).
The programme aims to accelerate applications of quantum computing to address pressing human health challenges.
The “Quantum computing for covalent inhibitors in drug discovery” project is led by Professor Jonathan Hirst and Dr Katie Inzani from the University of Nottingham.
Prof Hirst is a Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies and Professor of Computational Chemistry.
He said: “We are working towards the ambitious goal of developing and utilising this fast-developing technology to help advance the treatment of a dreadful disease.
“The team brings together world-leading expertise from human health sciences and computational chemistry, to quantum algorithm development and quantum hardware.”
By exploiting unique properties of quantum systems for information processing, quantum computers can solve problems that are not tractable using today’s “conventional” computers.
One of the most promising applications of near-term quantum computers is accurately modelling systems where quantum mechanics plays a key role, such as in materials science, chemistry and even drug discovery.
The discovery of new drugs has long been one of the most challenging tasks facing medical innovation.
It has consistently pushed the capabilities of current modelling tools to the limit.
The new project will demonstrate how this process can harness the combined power of quantum computing and classical simulation methods to tackle the crucial task of drug discovery for myotonic dystrophy.
Myotonic Dystrophy is a genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and wasting and often affects the electrical conduction system of the heart, breathing and swallowing muscles, bowels, lens of the eye and brain.
It is the most frequent form of muscular dystrophy in adults worldwide, with an estimated 6,500 people affected in the UK.
Katie Inzani, who holds an EPSRC Quantum Technology Career Development Fellowship and is an Associate Professor in the School of Chemistry , said: “It has been an exciting first year of the project, and we are delighted with the progress that our multi-disciplinary team is making.”
Professor Peter Licence, Head of the School of Chemistry at the University, added: “Quantum computing is an exciting research frontier and it is great to see colleagues from the School of Chemistry spearheading work in this area.”
Phasecraft, the Bristol based quantum algorithms company, is providing a world-leading insight into the mathematical foundation of quantum computing, bringing quantum’s promise into real-world applications.
The quantum computing hardware for the project has been built by QuEra Computing Inc., the leading provider of quantum computers based on neutral atoms.
Based in Boston USA, the company is founded on pioneering research conducted at Harvard University and MIT. QuEra is building the industry’s most scalable quantum computers to tackle useful but classically intractable problems for commercially relevant applications.
