In a landmark collaboration, IBM Quantum and Moderna have achieved one of the most advanced applications of quantum computing in biotechnology to date—modeling the secondary structure of a 60-nucleotide mRNA sequence using 80 qubits on IBM’s Heron chip. This milestone not only breaks previous records for quantum simulations of molecular structures but also signals a new era for mRNA therapeutic design.

Why This Matters for the Lab Community

Predicting how an mRNA strand folds is vital for creating stable, effective therapeutics—whether vaccines, cancer treatments, or personalized medicines. However, mRNA folding prediction is a combinatorial challenge that grows exponentially with sequence length, pushing the limits of even the most advanced classical supercomputers.

By applying quantum algorithms—specifically Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR)-based Variational Quantum Algorithms (VQAs)—IBM and Moderna have shown that quantum tools can explore vast design possibilities more efficiently, potentially bypassing computational bottlenecks that have long hindered progress.

How It Works: The Tech in Brief

The research team used CVaR to focus on the most promising, low-energy solutions within the immense search space of possible mRNA structures. This risk-optimization approach, originally from finance, has been adapted to quantum computing to reduce noise and improve accuracy.

In this first phase, the team successfully modeled sequences up to 60 nucleotides with 80 qubits. The next phase aims higher—156 qubits and 950-gate IQP (Instantaneous Quantum Polynomial) circuits—with the goal of expanding sequence length and structural accuracy even further.

Strategic Vision: Augmentation, Not Replacement

Rather than replacing classical computing, IBM and Moderna envision a hybrid pipeline where quantum and classical methods work in tandem. Classical computation handles large-scale simulations, while quantum algorithms tackle the hardest optimization problems in the workflow, increasing diversity in candidate designs.

“We embrace new technology early because we would rather understand it on our terms than play catch-up later.”
— Wade Davis, Senior Vice President, Digital, Moderna

This approach could help biotech organizations unlock new therapeutic possibilities while maintaining practical integration with existing digital infrastructure.

What This Means for Your Lab or Procurement Strategy

• For molecular biologists & researchers: Quantum-enabled modeling offers a way to explore mRNA sequences previously inaccessible to classical methods.
• For lab managers & procurement specialists: Investing in digital infrastructure and quantum-ready capabilities today may yield long-term innovation benefits.
• For diagnostics and IVF centers: Better molecular folding predictions could improve reagent stability and diagnostic accuracy.
• For quality control professionals: Understanding quantum’s role in molecular optimization could be key to future compliance in regulated biotech environments.

IBM and Moderna’s quantum-classical mRNA modeling marks not just a technical breakthrough, but a strategic shift in biotech research. By adopting quantum tools in a hybrid framework, the biotech community can accelerate innovation, shorten development timelines, and broaden therapeutic horizons.

Source: IBM–Moderna quantum-classical mRNA modeling case study (IBM Quantum Blog, Quantum Computing Report)