PR Newswire
YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y., April 16, 2026
In the first ever Q4Bio Challenge, research teams sought to demonstrate scalable quantum algorithms for healthcare, with Algorithmiq’s work alongside Cleveland Clinic and IBM earning $2 million Q4Bio prize.
- Q4Bio aims to accelerate development of quantum algorithms for healthcare that can run on quantum computers expected within three to five years.
- Teams were required to run large‑scale demonstrations on real quantum hardware.
- Five out of the six finalists used IBM quantum hardware for their research.
- Quantum computing has potential as a practical tool for healthcare, with hybrid quantum‑classical approaches paving the way toward real-world applications.
YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Quantum computing is at an inflection point. In recent years, quantum computers have shown the ability to run quantum programs at a scale beyond exact classical simulation. They’re becoming useful tools for solving real-world problems, with provable quantum advantage close on the horizon. Community-led initiatives that provide funding and prizes for high-quality research can offer an early look at how quantum computing will impact fields like healthcare and the life sciences.
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That’s one reason the non-profit Wellcome Leap established the Quantum for Bio (Q4Bio) Supported Challenge Program. Q4Bio aims to identify, develop, and demonstrate quantum algorithms for human health applications that have the potential to run on near-term quantum computers expected to arrive in the next three to five years. The program launched in 2023 with twelve research teams from around the world receiving access to a combined $40 million in funding. By March 2026, that group had narrowed to six Phase III finalists. Now, the winners have been announced.
Wellcome Leap funds high-risk, high-reward global health research, with the aim of facilitating medical breakthroughs on time scales of 5-10 years rather than over the course of decades. That ambition is evident in the Q4Bio challenge requirements: To be eligible for a $2 million Phase III award, participating teams needed to demonstrate algorithms using more than 50 qubits and circuit depths on the order 1,000 to 10,000 gates–while also showing a clear path to scaling. More details here.
In practice, meeting those requirements meant working directly with today’s most capable quantum hardware. That’s why five of the six Phase III finalist teams used IBM (NYSE: IBM) quantum computers to generate their results, underscoring the role of «utility-scale» quantum computers with 100+ qubits in tackling demanding problems at the intersection of quantum information science and real-world use cases.
Below, we highlight the work carried out by Q4Bio’s Phase III finalists on IBM quantum hardware. Their projects offer an exciting glimpse at how quantum computing is beginning to support meaningful research in healthcare and the life sciences.
Biology at scale on IBM quantum computers
The results from these multidisciplinary, multi‑organizational teams span drug discovery, genomics, biomarkers, and fundamental biochemistry. In each area, researchers found a healthcare problem they could execute at significant scale on quantum computers today, with real potential to scale even further in the future.
Agorithmiq, Cleveland Clinic, and IBM
The winning project–led by quantum startup Algorithmiq in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic and IBM–used quantum computing to simulate key processes in photodynamic therapy (PDT), a cancer treatment based on light-activated drugs.
Algorithmiq developed an end-to-end hybrid quantum-classical framework in which novel methods for active space selection, state preparation, measurement, and post-processing enabled large-scale molecular electronic structure simulations on IBM’s quantum hardware. By executing circuits for ground- and excited-state experiments on up to 100 qubits, the teams demonstrated a scalable path toward quantum advantage in drug discovery and development.
Sabrina Maniscalco, CEO and co-founder of Algorithmiq, said the results highlight how Algorithmiq’s approach to tightly integrated quantum-classical algorithms could play a key role in unlocking real-world quantum advantage.
«This work provides one of the clearest indications to date that quantum computing can begin to impact real, chemically relevant problems, rather than simplified benchmarks,» she said. «IBM’s quantum systems enabled execution of circuits at scales approaching 100 qubits and supported the continuous, end-to-end validation loop required to identify real bottlenecks and ensure robustness of the approach.»
Dr. Vijay Krishna, associate staff in biomedical engineering at Cleveland Clinic, added that «Q4Bio showed that when teams with complementary expertise work toward a common goal, they can make meaningful progress on problems that no single discipline can solve alone.»
The Quantum Pangenomics project
Meanwhile, the University of Oxford and Sanger Institute’s Quantum Pangenomics project focused on converting genome problems to quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) formulations. Recent research has highlighted the potential of quantum optimization methods based on QUBO to help solve challenging real-world problems and deliver near-term quantum advantage.
As part of their efforts, the team used an IBM Quantum Heron r2 to encode the Hepatitis-D genome. In their workflow, classical systems handle problem formulation, iteration, and analysis, and quantum hardware is invoked for the most computationally challenging subproblems.
«Encoding a whole genome onto a quantum computer is a world first and represents at least one order of magnitude improvement over any other efforts to represent DNA on quantum machines,» said James McCafferty, Chief Information Officer at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. «And full credit goes to IBM in helping us achieve this.»
«This is not a toy demonstration, it involves biologically significant sequences, represented on quantum hardware using data partitioning techniques and tailored depth-reduction we developed specifically for genomic data,» said Sergii Strelchuk, associate professor of Computer Science at Oxford University. «The fact that the encoded information can be retrieved through our index-reported verification method sends a clear signal: quantum data encoding for genomics is no longer aspirational, it is ready to scale.»
Infleqtion
Infleqtion, a Chicago-based quantum startup, used an IBM Quantum Heron r2 as part of the project they led with the University of Chicago and MIT on quantum-enhanced biomarker discovery from multimodal cancer data, using hybrid quantum-classical optimization algorithms. Their work involved GPUs and QPUs working together, an exciting emerging avenue for hybrid workflows.
Fred Chong, Professor at University of Chicago and Chief Scientist for Quantum Software at Infleqtion, says Heron QPUs were the only available hardware that could meet the Wellcome Leap criteria of demonstrating quantum algorithms with greater than 50 quantum bits and a program length of greater than 1,000 quantum gates. Access to that hardware allowed his team to demonstrate a convincing proof-of-concept that a hybrid quantum-classical approach could improve a purely classical approach to identifying biomarkers.
«Our work has already identified novel cancer biomarkers for clinical evaluation, and future quantum machines will allow us to discover even more promising biomarkers that we hope will improve treatment outcomes,» Chong said.
Stanford, Michigan State University, and other collaborators
A team comprising researchers from many scientific institutions used VQE and an IBM Quantum Heron r2 processor to study ATP and GTP hydrolysis in proteins. These are fundamental biochemical reactions that power most cellular processes.
By demonstrating quantum algorithms for modeling metaphosphate hydrolysis and rigorously analyzing their resource costs, the team showed how near‑term quantum computers could act as accelerators in computational workflows for biology. They also explored potential workflows for fault-tolerant quantum computers.
«Although classical methods for biochemistry have a decades long headstart, quantum methods are really starting to become competitive,» said Ryan LaRose, a researcher on the team and professor at Michigan State University. «For our project, IBM hardware provided the number of qubits, gate fidelity, and sampling rate needed to make our experiments viable.»
University of Nottingham, Phasecraft, and QuEra
Another finalist team, led by Jonathan D. Hirst at the University of Nottingham, explored quantum-enhanced strategies for covalent inhibitor design in collaboration with Phasecraft and QuEra. Covalent inhibitors are a cornerstone of modern therapeutics–particularly in oncology and antiviral treatments–owing to their ability to form strong, durable bonds with target proteins.
The team applied quantum algorithms to generate high-fidelity molecular data, which they then used to augment classical Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations–computer simulations estimating molecular behavior by modeling electron density. This enabled more accurate simulations of covalent binding processes.
The researchers deployed this hybrid quantum-classical workflow within a drug discovery program focused on the disorder Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), highlighting the potential of quantum-enhanced methods to tackle complex, currently untreatable diseases.
As part of their study, the team utilized IBM Quantum hardware, including an IBM Quantum Nighthawk processor with 120 qubits–part of a broader effort to evaluate the capabilities of near-term quantum systems for chemically relevant modeling.
Quantum-centric supercomputing for biology and human health
Viewed as a whole, these results underscore just how quickly quantum computing is maturing as a tool for biological research. According to Ashley Montanaro, Co-founder of Phasecraft and Professor of Quantum Computation at University of Bristol, the rapid advancement of IBM quantum hardware and software played a crucial role in enabling the rapid experimental cycles required for their work.
«When the Wellcome Leap Q4Bio challenge began three years ago, it was far from obvious that any of this would work. The fact that we now have encouraging results on a real drug discovery target is a significant milestone,» he said. «The pace of progress in quantum hardware and software throughout this project has been notable as we continuously incorporated new capabilities and explored cutting-edge advancements month by month.»
The impressive results from Q4Bio’s Phase III finalists reflect progress toward IBM’s vision of quantum‑centric supercomputing (QCSC). Hybrid quantum-classical workflows integrate HPC, GPUs, and QPUs. Access to utility‑scale quantum processors and cloud‑based platforms enable global teams to collaborate, iterate quickly, and move toward scalable, end‑to‑end biological workflows.
Together, these results point to a broader transition: quantum computing in biology as elsewhere is shifting from a speculative experiment to a phase of measurable, application‑driven progress, with growing potential to become part of the life‑sciences computational stack.
«It’s encouraging to see so many research teams implementing QCSC workflows, where classical and quantum resources work together to achieve what neither can alone,» said Jay Gambetta, director of IBM Research.
About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to effect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.Visit www.ibm.com for more information.
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Tengo varias preguntas sobre esto a ver si me podiais aclarar:
-¿Puedo hacer un ingreso regular de 800 euros y me cobran 0euos de comisiones y mto.?
-¿Puedo sacar el dinero cuando quiera?,¿todo ó tengo entendido que hay que mantener un mínimo de 100 euros los 30 meses?
-No necesito pero me obligan a sacar una tarjeta de débito que me cuesta 11 euros el primer año y 22 euros la renovación, también otra de credito que me cuesta 0 euros el primer año y 35 euros la renovación.
¿Hay que mantenerlas 13 meses?
¿Puedo cancelar alguna de ellas desde el principio?
¿Puedo cancelar alguna de ellas antes de la renovación?
¿Hay alguna tarjeta de credito más barata?
Aparte de la cuenta nómina he visto que también que para que te den la tv también se puede sacar una cuenta tarifa plana básica o personal, ¿sabeis algo de estas cuentas?¿que requisitos tienen?
Muchas gracias a todos por responder
Yo fui a informarme y te cuento. Únicamente admiten los ingresos regulares en el caso de que seas autónomo. Te abren una cuenta Tarifa Plana Cero que está exenta de comisiones y presenta alguna ventaja más. Sobre dejar un mínimo de saldo en la cuenta no es necesario, pero sí te obligan a mantener varias tarjetas durante los 30 meses con un coste aproximado de 100 euros anuales.
hola buenas!
me llamo javi y estoy dudando de que banco, me puede dar mas beficios, sin sorpresas por domiciliar la nomina, ya que llevo años en la caixa y no me da nada ningun beneficio. es mas me rechazan los prestamos que solicito, ni siquiera una targeta de credito, por alegan de que siempre esta a cero la cuenta, yo cuando cobro la nomina dejo el dinero para los pagos, y saco el resto, pues no me fio, de que un dia me quede sin dinero, ya que esta todo muy mal, corre riesgo mi dinero o mis ahorros en el banco?? muchas gracias y un cordial saludo.
javi
NO TE EXTRAÑE QUE NO TE DEN LOS PTMOS, PORQUE LO QUE VEN ES QUE NO TIENES CAPACIDAD DE AHORRO PORQUE SIEMPRE DEJAS LA CTA. EN MINIMOS, ASI NINGUN BANCO TE LO VA A CONCEDER. TAMBIEN ES VERDAD QUE LA CAIXA, COMO TANTAS OTRAS CAJAS, TIENE EL PUÑO CERRADO PARA LOS RIESGOS, PARA REMONTAR. NO TE PREOCUPES, QUE POR UNA NOMINA NO CREO QUE NINGUN BANCO SE COJA LAS MANOS. LOS QUE SE TIENEN QUE PREOCUPAR SON LOS QUE TIENEN DÉPÓSITOS Y FONDOS EN BANCOS DE DUDOSA ACTIVIDAD. LA GENTE SE PIENSA QUE PORQUE LES DEN UN 7% YA ES UN GRAN BANCO Y SE EQUIVOCAN. LO QUE LES PASA ES QUE EL BANCO DE ESPAÑA LES PRESTA EL DINERO MAS CARO Y POR ESO OPTAN POR CONSEGUIRLO EN EL MERCADO MONETARIO, Y SI EL BANCO DE ESPAÑA NO SE FIA DE ELLOS, VA Y SE FIA LA GENTE. QUE LOS BANCOS NOES LA ADMON PUBLICA, ABRAN OS OJOS.
Hola , cuando vallais al banco queos dejen lo que hay que pagar de irpf y de iva sobre el valor de la tele ya que en la mayoria de bancos esto no lo dicen y luego llagan las sorpresas .A mi ya me ha pasado con la promoción del portatil y nunca me hablaros de esto . Cuidado
Yo he estado calculando y la tele entre unas cosas y otras te sale sobre unos 250euros que tampoco regalan tanto .Hay oficinas en las que han dado la occión de poner un dinero a plazo fijo a 12meses de 9300euros o 6800euros a 18 meses.
No es ningún chollo. Te obligan a contratar dos tarjetas de crédito que tienes que pagar porque las tienes que mantener 13 meses por lo menos y además llevan unos costes desproporcionados si las utilizas. En total, no usando las tarjetas y anulándolas una vez cumplidos los 13 meses puedes ahorrar unos 38 euros con respecto al precio de ese televisor en una gran superficie. Y además luego vendrá que te cobran para hacienda la retención correspondiente, por lo que probablemente incluso en las mejores condiciones te cueste más que si ahorras un poco y lña compras directamente.
Creó que teneis toda la razón, que aqui no te regalan nada, ya que a mí me paso con unas sartenes que regalaban el banco bilbao, que al final entre el irpf y el descuento de Hacienda, al final me salieron caras, así es que no os tomen el pelo, que al final siempre esta la letra pequeña que es la que nos joroba, por no decir otra cosa.
Yo saque el portatil y ahora me he sacado la TV LCD 32. Estas promos no hay que declararlas. No es obligado domiciliar nomina. Si, meter en la cuenta 800€ todos los meses en un margen de 10 dias. Cero matacero, pero cero,cero, cero de gastos de mantenimiento, ni por recibos, ni por el correo a casa, ni por transfer. Las tarjets gratis el 1er año. Resto fuera. Dadas de baja Menos la de debito. Banesto no pierde nada, ganar, gana clientes que es el proposito de esta promo. Precio de portatil y tv 32 en mercao unos 900€ los 2. En banest 197€. Los hay mejores, nos ha jodio! portatiles a 1200€, TV LCD 32 a 1000€. Señores, son lentejas. Relacion calida-precio-promo es cojonud…….Un saludit a los viandantes.
hola , no se si llegara mi comentario pero os voi a esplicar. esto es el cuento de la abuela. mira yo tengo el portatil. y he cogio tab la tele, pero sabeis ke?, me ha pasado de todo. os esplico. primero me cobran 74 euros y 25 euros de unas tarjetas que yo no las he visto aparecer por mi casa , me cabreo con el banco. llamo y pido esplicaciones. me dicen que van en la promocion, nunca jamas nadie me informo de las tarjetas, no me devuelven el dinero. me cabreo y me dicen que llame aun numero de tefono para darlas de baja, se pasan los dias, intentamos darlas de baja. largas y larga, que si este numero de tefono que si el otro bla bla bla. conseguimos hablar y nos dicen que tenemos que cambiar el contrato a tarifa plana o no se ke historias, llamando al banco se pasan los dias, largas y largas. me cabreo y estoi por suspender todo, me dicen que si lo quiero cambiar y dar de baja las tarjetas que nunca he tenido. tengo que pagar comisiones cada seis meses de doce y pico euros, y que si no quiero que me cobren comisiones tengo que ir todos los meses al banco a hacerlo yo, ufffffffffff.aun hay mas. me dan de baja y me hacen la tarifa plana, se equivocan un monton de veces. me hacen pasar muchos cabreos.y al final cuando llego a casa me han cobrado 25, 50 euros. y llamo por telefono y se lo digo , me dicen claro por dar de baja la otra cuenta , la madre que los pario. ladrones. o sea os digo que la tele no sale regalada, se la cobran y muy bien cobrada , nadie da nada por nada. en cuento termine de pagar lo que debo quito todas las cuentas del banesto.espero que alguien me lea y que me conteste gracias .
Banesto ha jodido a mi marido y a un amigo tambien. Para mi, despues de Banco de Andalucía son los peores. Y quieran creerlo o no ni la television ni el portátil te lo regalan.. como no cumplas cualquiera de las reglas te sancionan con 300 y pico de euros.. porque nos hemos mudado de casa y los recibos domiciados se cortaron «temporalmente» la sancion fue de mas de 300 euros.. y el cabreo q te llevas cuando ves lo q te han descontado y luego para ir a reclamarlos.. y como te tratan !! en fin.. espero que Banesto sea lo primero en undirse en el fin del mundo!!
CHOLLO!!!!!!!!!JAJAJAJAJA…….NO ES NINGUN CHOLLO!!!!!!! te cobran 100 € de gastos de manipulacion, mas 150 € en tarjetas durante 2 años, mas 6 € mensuales de mantenimiento de cuenta durante 30 meses, total que pagas 630 Euros por un ordenador o una TV que su valor seguro que no llega a 500 €. Y encima si vas a cancelar la cuenta cuando cumples los 30 meses requeridos te hacen esperar dos horas para decirte que no tienen linea de telefono para dar de baja la cuenta, cosa que no para nunca cuando vas a contratarlo. Y del trato que dispensan….., es el mismo que si vas con un fajo de billetes de 500 € por los CO-JONES
Banesto «premia», menuda falacia…
No hay ningún banco que premie a nadie.
BANESTO NECESITA NUESTRAS NÓMINAS, Y EN CUANTO VAS UN POCO JUSTO, COMO BUENOS JUDÍOS Y ÁVAROS QUE SON, TE ACOSAN Y MACHACAN, Y TE SACAN HASTA LAS ENTRAÑAS EN COMISIONES.
DESPUÉS EL ESTADO APOYA A LOS BANCOS, CON LA EXCUSA DE QUE SI CAEN LOS BANCOS CAEMOS TODOS. LOS BANCOS NECESITAN UN BOICOT DE VEZ EN CUANDO, PARA QUE NO NOS RESTREGUEN POR LA CARA SUS BENEFICIOS.
POR CIERTO, LO QUE MÁS FASTIDIA A UN BANCO ES UNA RECLAMACIÓN EN LA OFICINA DEL CONSUMIDOR Y OTRA AL BANCO DE ESPAÑA.
ES POR DAR PISTAS…