Swedish Quantum Life Science

The journey of combining Quantum Technologies and Life Sciences to develop Quantum Life Science (QLS) applications was initiated in 2019 and has since evolved into the establishment of a national Quantum Life Science Centre (QLSC), based at Karolinska Institutet.

This centre is a collaborative effort involving the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT), Swelife, representatives from four universities and two hospitals, as well as industry partners including AstraZeneca, Elekta, IBM, and startups such as Deep Light Vision, Quantum Scopes, and SPQR.

Abstract concept of atom and quantum waves illustrated with fractal elements
Abstract concept of atom and quantum waves illustrated with fractal elements​. ​​​​​​​​iSt​ock by Getty Images

The goal of QLSC is to support interdisciplinary research, development, and implementation of quantum life science (QLS) applications. 

QLSC and WACQT currently support 12 QLS projects. Examples of international collaborations include the Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme (NQCP) in Denmark, Quantum Application Lab (QAL) in the Netherlands, and the Cleveland Clinic in the United States.

Research and innovation are focused on quantum sensors and quantum computing. Quantum sensors are being developed for detecting medical conditions such as epilepsy, stroke, and breast cancer, as well as for improved imaging of the eye. Quantum computing is being explored for modeling protein misfolding, a key process in diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Additional areas of exploration include the optimization of radiotherapy and the development of prediction models for CAR T-cell therapy.

These are merely a few examples; many other domains are relevant to quantum sensing and quantum computing, as quantum systems are inherently precise and offer higher resolution, ultimately enabling more powerful and accurate computations for combinatorial problems.

Swedish quantum use cases have been mapped by WACQT and the QLSC. While emerging applications have been identified in sectors such as telecom and logistics, the mapping indicates that health and life sciences represent the largest share of identified use cases, with six in quantum sensing and six in quantum computing. 

Contact – Swedish QLS Steering Committee

For inquiries, collaboration opportunities, or general information, please contact the Swedish QLS Centre Steering Committee:

  • Ebba Carbonnier - Director, Swedish Quantum Life Science Centre
     
  • Anna Martling – Professor, Karolinska Institutet, Senior Consultant at Karolinska University Hospital
     
  • Ann-Marie Wennberg Larkö - Professor, University of Gothenburg, Chair of Forska!Sverige
     
  • Daniel Lundqvist – Chair Steering Committee. Professor and Director of Centre for Imaging Research (CIR), Karolinska Institutet 
     
  • Göran Johansson - Professor, Chalmers, Director Wallenberg Center for Quantum Technology
     
  • Magnus Boman - Professor of AI and Health, Karolinska Institutet