S5. E19. 與Google量子AI部門結盟 PARTNERING WITH GOOGLE QUANTUM AI

量子電腦（Quantum computer）具備更近一步加速並強化新化合物研究發展的潛力。2021年初，百靈佳殷格翰與 Google量子AI部門建立量子計算研發夥伴關係，攜手探索未來製藥研發的更多可能。

1981年，美國物理學家暨諾貝爾得獎者 Richard P. Feynman，提出根據量子力學原理運作的機器上模擬物理現象的想法。通用量子電腦（universal quantum computer，利用量子效應模擬自然環境的機器）的概念由此而生。

「200 秒」就是那個傳說中的神奇數字。近期研究顯示，量子電腦可以在 200 秒內解決特定問題，若由世界上最快的超級電腦處理完全相同的內容，需要 10,000 年才能完成。因此，量子電腦可能為像製藥產業這樣高度電腦化的領域，創造全新的機會。

值得關注的重點領域包含：藥物早期研發，尤其是藥物設計與電腦建模（in silico modeling）；這些都是百靈佳殷格翰的研究人員擅長、並且擁有高水準的專業知識領域。量子電腦可能對這些研發過程的分析以及時間安排，產生重大影響，如：強化藥物發現與設計，縮短新藥上市時間，並降低建置大數據的成本。這些都是量子電腦可能讓醫學研究飛躍的關鍵原因。

Google 量子演算法部門主任 Ryan Babbush 指出，百靈佳殷格翰與 Google 量子人工智慧的合作恰逢其時：「分子系統的極精確建模是量子運算很理想的應用：Google 很高興能有此次與百靈佳殷格翰合作的機會，一起探索化學量子模擬的應用環境和方法。」

藉由這次合作聯盟關係的建立，百靈佳殷格翰成立了專門的量子實驗室，集結來自學術界、工業界及量子供應商的專家。來自業界與學術界的進一步合作，結合百靈佳殷格翰內部（尤其是 IT 及研發團隊）的專業知識，能有效幫助專家們持續推動研究工作進展。

「量子電腦具備推動我們製藥產業的研發流程。此項技術可以幫助我們，能更為更多的人類和動物提供創新藥物。」

Michael Schmelmer

董事會成員／財務部

PARTNERING WITH GOOGLE QUANTUM AI

Quantum computing has the potential to further accelerate and enhance the research and development of new compounds in the future. In early 2021, Boehringer Ingelheim entered into a quantum computing research partnership with Google Quantum AI to explore future applications in pharma R&D.

1981 This was the year American physicist and Nobel laureate Richard P. Feynman introduced the idea of simulating physical phenomena on a machine that operates on quantum mechanical principles. The idea of a universal quantum computer, a machine which uses quantum effects to simulate nature, was born.

The magic number is 200 seconds. According to recent studies, a quantum computer can solve specific problems in 200 seconds while the world’s fastest supercomputer would need 10,000 years to perform exactly the same task. Quantum computing could thus potentially create entirely new opportunities for highly computer-based fields, such as the pharmaceutical industry.

Special areas of interest here include early pharmaceutical R&D, particularly drug design and in-silico modelling – the very areas in which researchers at Boehringer Ingelheim have a high level of expertise. Therefore, quantum computing could have significant implications for the analysis and timing of these research processes: It could enhance drug discovery and design, reduce the time to market for new medicines, and lower the costs of data-rich processes. This is why quantum computing could potentially be a big leap for medical research in general.

The partnership between Boehringer Ingelheim and Google Quantum AI comes at exactly the right time, according to Ryan Babbush, Head of Quantum Algorithms at Google: “Extremely accurate modelling of molecular systems is widely anticipated as among the most natural and potentially transformative applications of quantum computing. Therefore, Google is excited to partner with Boehringer Ingelheim to explore use cases and methods for quantum simulations of chemistry.”

In line with its partnership, Boehringer Ingelheim has set up a dedicated Quantum Lab, assembling experts from academia, industry, and quantum providers. Further partnerships from the industry and academia as well as in-house expertise, particularly from the IT and the company’s R&D teams, will assist these experts with their work.

“Quantum computing has the potential to significantly advance R&D processes in our industry. This technology could help us to provide even more humans and animals with innovative medicines.”

Michael Schmelmer

Member of the Board of Managing Directors Finance & Group Functions