SINGAPORE - Local firms will soon be able to harness the abilities of a new quantum computer set up in Singapore, which aims to accelerate the discovery of new drugs and financial modeling for raising capital, making acquisitions and valuing a business.

The Helios quantum computer, which will be set up in 2026, comes under a new partnership inked between the National Quantum Office (NQO) and US-based firm Quantinuumm, which builds quantum computers.

This will be the second quantum computer to be set up here, and the first to be used for commercial purposes, said the two organisations and the National Quantum Computing Hub (NQCH) in a joint statement on Nov 6.

“It will significantly expand Singapore’s research and development scope, enabling scientists and companies to tackle larger, more complex and industry-relevant problems,” said NQO’s executive director Ling Keok Tong.

Unlike traditional computers that store information as either 0s or 1s, quantum computers use quantum bits (or qubits) to represent and store information in a complex mix of 0s and 1s simultaneously.

As the number of qubits grows, a quantum computer becomes exponentially more powerful. It is able to examine countless number of possibilities to pinpoint a probable solution in hours while a traditional computer would take hundreds and thousands of years to do so.

Quantum computers have been tipped to lead new discoveries in fields such as medicine, materials, and more sophisticated artificial intelligence.

In the initial phase, NQO will be working with researchers from organisations such as A*Star’s Institute of High Performance Computing to focus on potential commercial applications such as drug discovery, financial modeling and optimisation and logistics.

Quantum computers can directly simulate complex molecular interactions because of the natural similarity between qubits and electrons, said Prof Jose Ignacio, director of NUS’ Centre for Quantum Technologies.

In finance and optimisation, quantum algorithms can process and test a wider range or variables faster, said Mr Ling. For instance, it can give rise to more efficient and accurate-decision making in portfolio optimisation or logistics planning.

Singapore has invested

$700 million in quantum computing research since 2002

, with the most recent $300 million top-up in 2024 to be spent on studies, grooming local experts and research grants.

So far, the country’s first quantum computer run by NQCH is used mostly for research purposes including testing, validating and benchmarking quantum algorithms, said Mr Ling.

Along with the new quantum computer for its first customer in Singapore, Quantinuum will also set up a new R&D and operations in one-north, which is slated to open in the first quarter of 2026.

It is looking to hire an undisclosed number of engineers, software specialists and researchers to be based in Singapore to support its customers here.

The new centre will also serve as the base where the company’s staff, local researchers, and industry partners will come together to co-develop commercially relevant quantum solutions.

The partnership between NQO and Quantinuum will also seek to develop local talent through internships, workshops, and conference to build a strong pipeline of quantum specialists, said the organisations in their joint statement.

To strengthen the nation’s digital growth and security, Singapore will continue to invest significantly in quantum technology, said Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo in the Nov 6 joint statement.

“We do this by collaborating with global partners on frontier tech, developing and attracting world-class talents, and uplifting our local workforce and enterprises,” said Mrs Teo, who is also Minister-in-Charge of Cybersecurity and Smart Nation Group.