US firm brings 256-qubit machine to South Korea’s cancer research push

US quantum computing company IonQ has signed a multi-year partnership with SDT to supply its Superion 256 quantum computer and silicon-vacancy quantum memory technology for deployment in South Korea.

The agreement expands the Maryland-based company’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

It covers hardware production, system assembly, manufacturing, and a planned hybrid quantum-classical data center supporting medical and biomedical research.

The Superion 256 system is planned for deployment with one of SDT’s customers. IonQ and the Korean quantum technology company will also work together to develop the accompanying hybrid data center.

“Demand for our new Superion 256 system is growing globally, and this agreement in Asia Pacific is yet another example of our clients combining IonQ’s leading quantum computers with our quantum networking and quantum memory solutions,” said Niccolo de Masi, chairman and CEO of IonQ.

“IonQ is very proud to be expanding our commercial footprint in South Korea as well as continuing to trailblaze quantum cancer and biomedical research. This purchase equips SDT with the building blocks for both high-performance quantum computing and quantum data centers of the future,” he added.