CASE STUDY 2 Qnity – faster molecular screening with quantum-level precision Start-ups are playing a critical role in bringing quantum technologies into the field of health by partnering with large enterprises and academic researchers. Qnity, a start-up based in the US and Brazil, is collaborating with a global pharmaceutical company to validate promising biomolecules in the context of drug discovery. Qnity’s platform employs specially engineered electrodes to measure, with high resolution, the molecular affinity between biomolecules and different targets of interest. This approach enables scientists to more reliably assess whether a molecule has the potential to advance through the stages of new drug development. In pilots, Qnity is benchmarking the precision of its system against established methods such as surface plasmon resonance, a tool currently used in production systems across the pharmaceutical industry. Traditional approaches have been invaluable, but they often face sensitivity challenges, particularly when analysing small molecules. Qnity’s approach offers higher resolution data on these molecular interactions, accelerating target selection and validation throughout the drug discovery process. The system is adaptable: while initial work focuses on proteins, the same platform can be tuned to study small molecules, significantly broadening its potential use in pharmaceutical research and clinical testing. For the pharmaceutical partner, this collaboration provides a way to compare cutting-edge quantum-enabled sensing with industry-standard methods and build confidence in the technology. For Qnity, it is an opportunity to generate the extensive datasets needed to demonstrate value at scale, attract regulatory attention and secure adoption in enterprise R&D pipelines. By linking start-ups, established companies and university researchers, projects like this create a pathway for quantum sensing technologies to move beyond proof of concept into the mainstream of biomedical research. The expected impact ranges from faster identification of biomolecules for novel therapeutics to more precise and cost-effective diagnostics platforms, and the emergence of a new generation of analytical tools that surpass the limitations of current measurement systems. Our work can pave the way for identifying functional biomolecules that accelerate the discovery of new drugs, and in the future, it may also be extended to extremely precise early diagnosis and interventions in complex diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Diego Stone Aires, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Qnity Quantum Technologies: Strategic Imperatives for Health and Healthcare Leaders 15

Quantum Technologies Strategic Imperatives for Health and Healthcare Leaders 2025