The Quantum Echoes algorithm by Google and the collaboration between IBM and Moderna are two concrete examples of how quantum is revolutionising pharmaceutical research and materials science.

Thanks to Quantum Computing, today we can observe the behaviour of molecules with unprecedented precision. This technology, which exploits the laws of quantum mechanics, is ushering in a new era for scientific research: problems that once seemed insurmountable for classical supercomputers are now manageable, and processes that used to require months are reduced to weeks.

It is not only a matter of speed: quantum computing allows us to explore complex natural phenomena, simulate molecular structures and predict chemical interactions with a level of detail that is revolutionising the way we develop pharmaceuticals, materials and energy solutions.

Here are two concrete examples of how quantum is transforming pharmaceutical research and materials science:

• Quantum Echoes, an algorithm that has surpassed the performance of the most powerful supercomputers, paving the way for new molecular discoveries.
• The collaboration between IBM and Moderna, which uses quantum algorithms to accelerate the design of vaccines and therapies based on mRNA.

These cases are not merely experimental: they are a sign that quantum computing is leaving the laboratories and entering the real world, with an impact destined to change the future of medicine and technology.

Quantum Echoes

For the first time, a quantum computer has performed a verifiable algorithm that surpasses the performance of the most powerful supercomputers. It was created by Google and is called Quantum Echoes: it works like a sort of echo; a signal is sent that can modify the state of a qubit, which evolves according to the rules of quantum mechanics. At this point, the evolutionary process is reversed and the return is listened to, an “amplified echo” containing information invisible to traditional methods.

To understand it better, try to imagine throwing a ball into a room and then trying to make it return exactly to the starting point. If the room were perfect, the ball would return without difficulty. But if there are obstacles or air currents, the path changes. By observing where the ball ends up compared to the starting point, you obtain additional information about the room.

Why is it revolutionary?

• It is 13,000 times faster than the best classical algorithm.
• It is verifiable and repeatable on other quantum computers.
• It has real applications: molecular modelling, design of new materials, study of complex energy phenomena.

Google and the University of Berkeley used the Quantum Echoes algorithm to study very complex molecules, with 15 and 28 atoms. This is a major step forward because traditional methods, such as NMR spectroscopy (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), cannot handle such large systems well. The quantum computer thus becomes a kind of “quantum scope”, a new type of microscope capable of allowing us to see very small things and grasp details previously invisible.

The next objective is called Milestone 3. The project aims to create stable logical qubits, less fragile and prone to errors than traditional ones. This is a decisive step that could lead us to the construction of highly reliable quantum computers.

Source: The Quantum Echoes algorithm breakthrough

IBM and Moderna

IBM and Moderna are collaborating to use quantum algorithms (called VQA, Variational Quantum Algorithms) to accelerate the design of vaccines and therapies.

VQAs are algorithms designed to run on imperfect quantum computers (the ones we have today), using a “hybrid” approach between quantum and classical: the quantum part performs complex calculations on qubits, the classical part optimises the parameters, seeking the best solution. This method is very useful for difficult problems such as molecular simulations, because it reduces errors and makes calculations more manageable.

The goal is to optimise the lipid nanoparticles (LNP) that protect the genetic message (mRNA) contained in certain types of vaccines and help it reach the cells without being destroyed. Quantum algorithms allow us to find the best combination of LNP to make the transport safer, increase the effectiveness of the vaccine and reduce side effects.

Why is it a breakthrough?

• Today, calculating the best combination of molecules requires months. With quantum computers, it can be reduced to weeks.
• There is a +35% efficiency in finding optimal formulations.
• Millions of combinations can be explored that traditional computers could never analyse.

The problem is in fact very complex: mRNA is fragile and folds in complex ways that influence its effectiveness. LNPs not only have to protect the mRNA, but also need to function well in the human body without side effects. To understand how the nanoparticles behave, very precise molecular simulations are needed, which require enormous calculations, impossible for classical systems. The result is vaccines designed faster and more safely.

Source: Drug Discovery at mRNA Scale: How IBM and Moderna Are Revolutionizing Pharmaceutical Research With Quantum Computing - World Quantum Summit 2025