Quantum for creators2 The pharmaceutical and biotech industries face some of the largest innovation barriers of any sector. Developing a new therapy can take more than a decade and cost billions of dollars in R&D, with high attrition rates at every stage. Each additional day of research represents millions in sunk costs, while unmet medical needs and competitive pressure demand faster and more precise solutions. Global pharmaceutical R&D investment in 2024 reached nearly $288 billion7 despite economic headwinds. High-performance computing (HPC) and AI have pushed discovery forward, but encounter scalability limits for problems rooted in understanding quantum-level molecular behaviour. Likewise, classical sensing technologies have reached their limits of fidelity, constraining what can be measured and modelled in living systems. Quantum technologies are emerging as a breakthrough solution for transcending these limits. By realizing new levels of accuracy, speed and scalability, they are beginning to unlock advantages in complex, time-critical areas of biomedical research. Some applications will disrupt existing solutions, while others will enhance critical stages of the research and development cycle, accelerating the path to new therapies. In a landscape where the pace of innovation is a major component of success, quantum- enabled platforms will be essential for accelerating development timelines and securing competitive advantages in the years to come. Today, quantum applications for health are at different maturity stages. Some quantum sensing solutions are already showing real-world commercial potential, while quantum computing applications are either in the prototype phase or still in experimental mode, and require further advances in hardware.Creators ignite discovery and pioneer quantum breakthroughs for future therapies. Stage 1: Commercial readiness (0–2 years) A first wave of quantum sensing technologies is already in commercial use, bringing immediate value to biomedical research and production. Table 2 includes some of these examples. It must be noted that although the end-user and the ecosystem partner are essentially co-developers, they are presented separately hereafter for didactic purposes. The end-user is the final recipient of the solution, directly using it to meet its own business goals, while the ecosystem partner provides the underlying quantum hardware and expertise. These use cases have marketed products and active research use only (RUO) deployments. They represent the entry point for quantum technologies into health creator workflows, where performance is already benchmarked against industry standards and adoption can generate near-term return on investment (ROI). Actionable items to unlock value –Identify specific quality assurance for biomanufacturing workflows where quantum sensors can replace or augment existing measurement systems. –Partner with quantum technology providers to run comparative pilots in real-world conditions. –Track yield, reliability and cost-of-ownership metrics to demonstrate value and build a case for scaling. First-mover advantage: Improve process fidelity, reduce batch failures and establish leadership as the first to operationalize quantum sensing in health.2.1 Assessment of use cases maturity for creators Quantum Technologies: Strategic Imperatives for Health and Healthcare Leaders 10

Quantum Technologies Strategic Imperatives for Health and Healthcare Leaders 2025