Early quantum computing applications on the path towards precision medicine

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent progress in applying quantum computing to precision medicine, highlighting key use cases, ongoing experiments, and future development pathways in healthcare.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of quantum computing applications in medicine, emphasizing recent experiments, investments, and potential for practical implementation.

Findings

Over 40 proof-of-concept experiments in quantum healthcare

Increasing use of real quantum hardware in medical research

Significant investments in quantum applications for medicine

Abstract

The last few years have seen rapid progress in transitioning quantum computing from lab to industry. In healthcare and life sciences, more than 40 proof-of-concept experiments and studies have been conducted; an increasing number of these are even run on real quantum hardware. Major investments have been made with hundreds of millions of dollars already allocated towards quantum applications and hardware in medicine. In addition to pharmaceutical and life sciences uses, clinical and medical applications are now increasingly coming into the picture. This chapter focuses on three key use case areas associated with (precision) medicine, including genomics and clinical research, diagnostics, and treatments and interventions. Examples of organizations and the use cases they have been researching are given; ideas how the development of practical quantum computing applications can be further accelerated are described.