D-Wave Quantum delivers first annealing quantum computer to Italy as part of SQT deal

D-Wave Quantum QBTS said on Thursday that it has delivered the first annealing quantum computer to Italy for installation.

The 4,400-plus qubit Advantage2 quantum computer has arrived in Lombardy, where it will be installed at Villa Saporiti in Como, D-Wave said in a statement. The deployment comes after a €10M agreement with Swiss Quantum Technology SA, which acquired 50% of the system's capacity for five years and has an option to buy the rest of the system. D-Wave added.

Once installed, the system will give European researchers, universities, and businesses access to annealing quantum computing technology.

“Bringing Italy’s first annealing quantum computer to Como marks a historic milestone toward making quantum computing a working capability for Italian innovation and industry,” D-Wave CEO Dr. Alan Baratz said in a statement. “Italy has exceptional scientific talent and industrial strength. Together with SQT and Q-Alliance, we can give Italian teams the technology and hands-on experience to tackle complex problems, develop applications that can move into production, and build expertise in the country. That is how quantum infrastructure becomes industrial advantage.”

The system is scheduled to be formally inaugurated on Oct. 16.

D-Wave shares were little changed in premarket trading on Thursday.