QC Ware reports demonstrating a hybrid quantum-classical workflow by combining its Promethium software with IBM’s 156-qubit Heron superconducting quantum processor. The demonstration calculated electrostatic interaction energy for nitric oxide reductase, a chemically complex metalloenzyme system relevant to drug discovery, catalysis, and materials science. “This demonstration shows how classical and quantum computing can be combined to address meaningful computational chemistry problems,” said Dr. Kin-Joe Sham, Co-Founder and COO at QC Ware. This work highlights how Promethium can integrate with quantum hardware for scientifically relevant calculations.
Promethium and IBM Quantum Calculate Nitric Oxide Reductase Energy
IBM’s 156-qubit Heron superconducting quantum processor recently powered a workflow that calculated the electrostatic interaction energy of a complex biological molecule, marking a step toward utilizing increasingly powerful quantum hardware for practical scientific challenges. This work demonstrates a targeted application of combined computing, rather than a general proof-of-concept, and builds upon QC Ware’s prior research in the field. Researchers leveraged Promethium’s GPU-native architecture, which enables calculations on larger molecular systems and a greater number of compounds than previously possible, achieving speed increases of up to 20 times compared to conventional platforms for select workloads.
This accelerated processing allows scientists to generate molecular-level insights in hours instead of weeks, significantly speeding up decision-making processes in several key scientific areas. The team’s focus on nitric oxide reductase highlights their commitment to tackling challenging molecular systems relevant to real-world applications.
According to QC Ware, Promethium not only delivers high-performance computational chemistry but also provides a foundation for exploring future hybrid workflows that integrate quantum computing more deeply into scientific research. This technology demonstration is not yet a fully integrated Promethium product capability, but represents a significant advancement in the field.
This demonstration shows how classical and quantum computing can be combined to address meaningful computational chemistry problems.
Dr. Kin-Joe Sham, Co-Founder and COO at QC Ware
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