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\n\t\t\t\t\t Subscribe <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\nFast growth in the quantum computing market<\/h2>\n
Tech industry insights firm ReportLinker forecasts the quantum market will grow from 472 million to 1.7 billion US dollars between 2021 and 2026<\/a>. And governments are backing it by investing in education and training.<\/p>\nIn 2018 US Congress passed the National Quantum Initiative Act (NQIA,) investing more than 1.2 billion US dollars in quantum research and development<\/a>. The European Union launched its quantum computing flagship<\/a> around the same time, with an expected budget of 1 billion Euro. China, Australia, Singapore and others are starting their own quantum initiatives. But what\u2019s all this got to do with developing and distributing medicines?<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.kasperskydaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/92\/2021\/04\/05080817\/224_quantum_skills_inline-1024x768.png\")
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Drug discovery leading the quantum market<\/h2>\n
The field of medicine and biosciences searching for promising new medicines is called drug discovery. Here, the value of quantum algorithms is already evident. A 2020 poll of life sciences organizations showed almost a third (31 percent) were starting to look at how they could use quantum computing<\/a>. A further 39 percent said they have quantum computing \u201con their radar\u201d for 2021.<\/p>\nKhan of Cambridge Quantum Computing says things like drug discovery can take many years using the most powerful classical computers. Although quantum computing is still early stage, \u201cit\u2019s close to starting to match classical timescales,\u201d making it worthy of investment.<\/p>\n
Pharmaceutical companies are keen to get ahead in quantum. This January, drug discovery firm Boehringer Ingelheim achieved a first in its industry, announcing it was joining forces with Google in quantum computing<\/a>. In a statement, the company said it would \u201cinvest significantly\u201d in the coming years to realize the full potential of the technology.<\/p>\nBoehringer Ingelheim has already set up a dedicated quantum lab, hiring \u201coutstanding experts in the field of quantum computing from academia, industry and quantum providers.\u201d Talent is key: The poll of life science organizations previously mentioned found 28 percent thought missing skills were a potential barrier to progress.<\/p>\n
Specialist skills needed for a challenging technology<\/h2>\n
Vincent Yam, Co-founder of AI and quantum computing recruitment agency Tekna Search<\/a>, explains how niche quantum computing skills are compared with regular software development. \u201cMost people have a Ph.D. in something quantum-related and a physics background, either at undergraduate or Master\u2019s level. Even then, two say, superconductivity<\/a> specialists may have very different skills.\u201d<\/p>\nKhan says, \u201cQuantum information theorists tend to have physics, maths and computer science backgrounds. A small but growing number have also done graduate or postgraduate quantum information theory.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anticipating quantum skills shortages, investment bank JP Morgan started an internship program for quantum talent in 2020 for Master\u2019s or Ph.D. students<\/a>. Universities are stepping up their programs too. Renowned institutions like the UK\u2019s University College London (UCL) and Duke University in the US have launched a Master\u2019s degree in quantum technology.<\/p>\nKhan thinks there\u2019s still not enough investment in education. \u201cThe range of quantum computing graduate and postgraduate degree courses must increase substantially.\u201d<\/p>\n
Practical internships can nurture the talent pipeline<\/h2>\n
While true quantum computing is some way off, quantum developments are coming thick and fast. These will impact many businesses in the not-too-distant future. The skills are so specialized and sophisticated that governments are putting their weight behind developing the best talent, and even then, education is falling short.<\/p>\n
Yam of Tekna Search says he keeps seeing the same top 10 global institutions in his recruitment efforts. This shows how small the pool is and suggests businesses should focus on getting talent early from best-in-class quantum research universities<\/a>.<\/p>\nKhan recommends larger companies offer practical internships for undergraduate students, not just those at Ph.D. level. Taking on students during the vacation around their first degree will help nurture talent from the outset.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Keep up with business tech and secure your future. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Fast growth in the quantum computing market<\/h2>\n
Tech industry insights firm ReportLinker forecasts the quantum market will grow from 472 million to 1.7 billion US dollars between 2021 and 2026<\/a>. And governments are backing it by investing in education and training.<\/p>\n In 2018 US Congress passed the National Quantum Initiative Act (NQIA,) investing more than 1.2 billion US dollars in quantum research and development<\/a>. The European Union launched its quantum computing flagship<\/a> around the same time, with an expected budget of 1 billion Euro. China, Australia, Singapore and others are starting their own quantum initiatives. But what\u2019s all this got to do with developing and distributing medicines?<\/p>\n The field of medicine and biosciences searching for promising new medicines is called drug discovery. Here, the value of quantum algorithms is already evident. A 2020 poll of life sciences organizations showed almost a third (31 percent) were starting to look at how they could use quantum computing<\/a>. A further 39 percent said they have quantum computing \u201con their radar\u201d for 2021.<\/p>\n Khan of Cambridge Quantum Computing says things like drug discovery can take many years using the most powerful classical computers. Although quantum computing is still early stage, \u201cit\u2019s close to starting to match classical timescales,\u201d making it worthy of investment.<\/p>\n Pharmaceutical companies are keen to get ahead in quantum. This January, drug discovery firm Boehringer Ingelheim achieved a first in its industry, announcing it was joining forces with Google in quantum computing<\/a>. In a statement, the company said it would \u201cinvest significantly\u201d in the coming years to realize the full potential of the technology.<\/p>\n Boehringer Ingelheim has already set up a dedicated quantum lab, hiring \u201coutstanding experts in the field of quantum computing from academia, industry and quantum providers.\u201d Talent is key: The poll of life science organizations previously mentioned found 28 percent thought missing skills were a potential barrier to progress.<\/p>\n Vincent Yam, Co-founder of AI and quantum computing recruitment agency Tekna Search<\/a>, explains how niche quantum computing skills are compared with regular software development. \u201cMost people have a Ph.D. in something quantum-related and a physics background, either at undergraduate or Master\u2019s level. Even then, two say, superconductivity<\/a> specialists may have very different skills.\u201d<\/p>\n Khan says, \u201cQuantum information theorists tend to have physics, maths and computer science backgrounds. A small but growing number have also done graduate or postgraduate quantum information theory.\u201d<\/p>\n Anticipating quantum skills shortages, investment bank JP Morgan started an internship program for quantum talent in 2020 for Master\u2019s or Ph.D. students<\/a>. Universities are stepping up their programs too. Renowned institutions like the UK\u2019s University College London (UCL) and Duke University in the US have launched a Master\u2019s degree in quantum technology.<\/p>\n Khan thinks there\u2019s still not enough investment in education. \u201cThe range of quantum computing graduate and postgraduate degree courses must increase substantially.\u201d<\/p>\n While true quantum computing is some way off, quantum developments are coming thick and fast. These will impact many businesses in the not-too-distant future. The skills are so specialized and sophisticated that governments are putting their weight behind developing the best talent, and even then, education is falling short.<\/p>\n Yam of Tekna Search says he keeps seeing the same top 10 global institutions in his recruitment efforts. This shows how small the pool is and suggests businesses should focus on getting talent early from best-in-class quantum research universities<\/a>.<\/p>\n Khan recommends larger companies offer practical internships for undergraduate students, not just those at Ph.D. level. Taking on students during the vacation around their first degree will help nurture talent from the outset.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/p>\nDrug discovery leading the quantum market<\/h2>\n
Specialist skills needed for a challenging technology<\/h2>\n
Practical internships can nurture the talent pipeline<\/h2>\n