You’re playing a key role in articulating Finland’s vision for quantum computing in life sciences. What’s the elevator pitch?

We see Finland leading the creation of a pre-competitive ecosystem for developing and commercializing quantum computing applications for the life sciences and healthcare. It’s about creating a collaborative environment where life sciences use cases can emerge and be built, so that all the parties in the ecosystem can already start to realize value from quantum.

Why is this ecosystem needed?

Right now, there’s way too much focus on the core of quantum computing – the hardware, the chips, and the qubits. Everyone seems obsessed over what quantum is, instead of what we can do with it. We’re stuck in the Homebrew Computer Club era. But what we really need is the application layer; the BASIC compiler or VisiCalc equivalents for quantum. These are the parts that actually deliver value.

"We’re stuck in the Homebrew Computer Club era."

Most people in the life sciences do not need to understand quantum concepts like entanglement or superposition. What they need are ways of using quantum computing for drug discovery, developing therapies, and exploring other innovations that mean better outcomes for patients.

To achieve all this, we need to bring life sciences innovators together with quantum experts. That’s why this ecosystem matters.

What makes Finland the right country to take the lead in this?

One of the areas where Finland has global leadership right now is in the core parts of quantum computing. I’m talking about cryogenics, chips, lasers, qubit software, etc. – we’ve got all of that deep tech capability. Big multinationals are already using Finnish quantum technology. 

But as I’ve been saying, it’s also about the application layer. For this, Finland has companies like Algorithmiq, one of the few players out there actually working on quantum applications for the life sciences. Algorithmiq is not just providing consulting services – they’re building quantum algorithms that can be applied in the real world.

We believe this combination of technical depth and practical application gives Finland a unique edge in quantum. The country has a long history of successfully applying technology in different areas. There is also a strong culture of building successful and impactful pre-competitive collaborations, including in the life sciences.

FinnGen is a prime example. Over the past seven years, this collaboration between global pharma companies and research institutions has sequenced half a million genomes. The partners pooled their resources to structure the data and make it ready for analysis. Everything has been a shared pre-competitive effort, coordinated by Finland’s Institute for Molecular Medicine.

Who do you see participating in this collaborative effort for quantum?

We’ve looking to attract the biggest players in tech, pharma, and healthcare. Universities will also play a key role.

The tech companies bring the quantum tools and platforms we’ll need to build with. Pharmaceutical and biotech companies know the commercial challenges that quantum could help to solve. Hospitals and healthcare providers see where the bottlenecks are when it comes to patient impact. 

Academic institutions contribute with research and growing the talent pipeline for quantum. Finland’s Aalto University and the University of Helsinki both offer programs on quantum technology.

Why would big companies be interested in collaborating rather than competing?

No single company has the capacity to build out the life sciences application layer alone. It’s just too complex and expensive. Lots of companies are tinkering at the edges – often in partnership – but that first useful killer app has yet to emerge.

This is why we need a pre-competitive model. If we can pull together to share infrastructure and insight, we can build something foundational that everyone can benefit from. Then each participant in the ecosystem can make their own discoveries and create proprietary IP. This is how many other nascent industries developed.

"If we can pull together to share infrastructure and insight, we can build something foundational that everyone can benefit from."

Some partners may be deeply involved in implementation – helping to build use cases or running pilots. Others may want to contribute insights and track where the value is emerging. The point is to make space for different levels of engagement, but with everyone pulling in the same direction.

What do you say to the detractors – to the people who say you need to wait for so-called ‘quantum advantage’ to become a reality?

The term ‘quantum advantage’ really bothers me. This is typically defined as the point at which a quantum computer does something better than a classical computer. But waiting to reach that point is completely the wrong mindset.

Back in the 50s and 60s, mainframe computers took up entire rooms – much as quantum computers do now. If we’d waited then for the advanced analytics of today, nothing we’ve used computers for over the past 70 years would have happened!

We need to build with what we’ve got, learn as we go, and hopefully develop something useful along the way. I don’t believe in waiting for quantum advantage – I want to start building quantum utility.

Last question: where are you at with this vision and how can interested parties get involved?

We’re now starting to invite organizations to join us. Several large tech players, pharma companies, hospitals, and universities are showing interest.

"We need this kind of collaboration to accelerate the commercialization of quantum computing applications in the life sciences."

I’ve also started working closely with Business Turku. The city of Turku is the life sciences heart of Finland, and the folks at Business Turku are convening key players to join us in making this vision a reality.

So much of quantum computing activity takes place in the US. I’m based in the Boston-Cambridge area – the global center life sciences – so I’m looking forward to working with Business Turku on strengthening ties between US companies and Finland. We need this kind of collaboration to accelerate the commercialization of quantum computing applications in the life sciences.