Moderna, IBM Strike Quantum Computing Partnership to Advance mRNA Research

Moderna and IBM announced a partnership to leverage novel technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing, to accelerate messenger RNA (mRNA) research. 

Quantum computing is a subset of computer science dedicated to technologies that leverage the principles of quantum theory to solve complex problems that classical computers cannot handle.  

Under the partnership, Moderna and IBM will explore potential life sciences use cases for quantum computing, including mRNA therapeutics and vaccines.  

The two organizations will apply MoLFormer, an AI-based foundation model used to help predict a molecule's properties, to this work, leveraging the tool to gain insights into the characteristics of potential mRNA medicines. 

According to the press release, Moderna will use MoLFormer to optimize the lipid nanoparticles in mRNA, which protect it as it travels within the body, and the mRNA itself, which provides instructions to cells on how to fight disease. Using AI and formulation discovery approaches in this way, the company aims to design advanced mRNA medicines. 

"Since our inception, we have always strived to be at the forefront of cutting-edge technology, leveraging innovations to deliver the greatest possible impact to people through mRNA medicines," said Stéphane Bancel, chief executive officer of Moderna, in the press release. "We are excited to partner with IBM to develop novel AI models to advance mRNA science, prepare ourselves for the era of quantum computing, and ready our business for these game-changing technologies. We are aiming for breakthrough advances with quantum computing, so we are investing now in building a quantum-ready workforce, to be fully prepared to harness the power of this technology." 

Over the course of the collaboration, Moderna will participate in the IBM Quantum Accelerator program and the IBM Quantum Network, while IBM will provide access to and expertise around quantum computing systems and their use cases in the life sciences sector. 

Since IBM revealed its plans for universal quantum computing in the medical field in 2017, healthcare and life sciences organizations have begun exploring the technology, despite some concerns surrounding quantum computing’s impact on healthcare data security.  

Recently, Cleveland Clinic led the charge with an announcement in October 2022 that it would partner with IBM to install the first healthcare quantum computer in the US, known as the IBM Quantum System One. 

The computer’s installation was revealed in March as part of Cleveland Clinic’s initiative to accelerate biomedical discoveries. The computer’s deployment is also part of the Cleveland Clinic-IBM Discovery Accelerator, a 10-year partnership formed between the two organizations in 2021 to advance biomedical research through a combination of Cleveland Clinic’s medical expertise and IBM’s expertise in high-performance computing.