IBM and Moderna Set New Milestone in Quantum mRNA Simulation

In August 2025, IBM and Moderna achieved a significant milestone in biomedical research by utilizing quantum computing to simulate the secondary structure of a 60-nucleotide mRNA sequence—the longest such simulation to date. This collaboration employed a conditional value-at-risk-based variational quantum algorithm (CVaR-based VQA) on IBM's R2 Heron quantum processing unit, utilizing 80 of its 156 available qubits. This advancement surpasses the previous quantum record of simulating a 42-nucleotide sequence.

Understanding mRNA secondary structures is crucial for developing effective mRNA-based vaccines and therapies. The secondary structure, comprising various folds and loops, influences the molecule's stability and its efficiency in protein synthesis. Accurate predictions of these structures can enhance the design of mRNA medicines, potentially leading to more effective treatments.

The IBM-Moderna collaboration utilized IBM's R2 Heron quantum processing unit, which features 156 qubits. In this experiment, 80 qubits were employed to run a CVaR-based VQA. This algorithm is designed to optimize complex problems by focusing on the worst-case scenarios, making it particularly suitable for tasks like mRNA structure prediction, where understanding the most stable configurations is vital. The successful simulation of a 60-nucleotide mRNA sequence marks a significant advancement over the previous record of 42 nucleotides, demonstrating the growing capabilities of quantum computing in handling complex biological simulations.

This achievement has profound implications for the field of biomedical research:

• Accelerated Drug Discovery: Quantum computing can process complex biological data more efficiently than classical computers, potentially reducing the time required for drug discovery and development.
• Enhanced Vaccine Design: Accurate mRNA structure predictions can lead to the design of more effective mRNA-based vaccines, as seen with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Personalized Medicine: Improved understanding of mRNA structures can facilitate the development of personalized therapies tailored to individual genetic profiles.

In April 2023, Moderna and IBM announced a partnership to explore quantum computing and artificial intelligence for mRNA science. This collaboration aimed to advance mRNA research by leveraging IBM's quantum computing capabilities and Moderna's expertise in mRNA therapeutics.

The CVaR-based VQA used in this simulation is an optimization algorithm that focuses on minimizing the expected loss in the worst-case scenarios. This approach is particularly useful in quantum computing for solving complex problems with high variability, such as predicting mRNA secondary structures. The algorithm's effectiveness in this context demonstrates its potential applicability to other complex biological simulations.

The success of this quantum simulation paves the way for further advancements in the pharmaceutical industry:

• Broader Adoption of Quantum Computing: Other pharmaceutical companies may invest in quantum computing to enhance their research and development processes.
• Development of Quantum Algorithms: Continued research into quantum algorithms tailored for biological simulations could lead to more efficient drug discovery pipelines.
• Regulatory Considerations: As quantum computing becomes more integrated into drug development, regulatory bodies may need to adapt their frameworks to evaluate quantum-derived therapeutics.

This collaboration between IBM and Moderna exemplifies the transformative potential of quantum computing in addressing complex biological challenges, marking a significant step forward in the pursuit of more effective mRNA-based treatments.