Microsoft Fabric Thursday Expert Series - 2025

### Quantum AI in Pharma: Accelerating Precision Drug Discovery with Next-Gen Tech

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#### Description

Drug development remains one of the most time-intensive and expensive undertakings in healthcare, often spanning over a decade and costing more than $2.8 billion per approved drug (DiMasi et al., 2016). With only 13.8% of drug candidates advancing from Phase I trials to regulatory approval (Wong et al., 2019), the industry urgently needs transformative solutions. This session explores how the intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence is driving a paradigm shift in early-stage drug discovery.

Quantum computing’s unique ability to simulate molecular systems using principles like superposition and entanglement enables exponentially faster and more accurate modeling of drug-target interactions. Algorithms such as the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) and Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) have demonstrated early success in achieving chemical accuracy for small molecules, paving the way for high-impact pharmaceutical applications.

Leading tech and pharma partnerships such as those between IBM, Google’s Quantum AI, Pfizer, and Merck are now leveraging quantum AI to reduce discovery timelines by up to 40% and lower R&D costs significantly. This convergence is also enhancing personalized medicine by uncovering complex genomic patterns that inform tailored therapies.

With quantum devices exceeding 100 qubits expected within a few years, now is the time to understand and invest in quantum-enhanced AI for pharma.