U.S. quantum computing company IonQ has teamed up with South Korean quantum startup SDT to install its latest quantum computer, the Superion 256, at a Korean medical institution for the first time. The Superion 256 will be used for medical data and biomedical research at a cancer center planned in Korea. The two companies are also reviewing plans to build a manufacturing base in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, in cooperation with local governments, for the production of core quantum components and the assembly and integration of systems.
SDT said on the 22nd that it had signed a strategic partnership with IonQ for quantum computing manufacturing and system integration in the Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ) region. Under the partnership, the Superion 256 will be installed at a quantum-classical hybrid data center run by a medical institution tied to the cancer center planned in Korea. SDT will also be supplied by IonQ with silicon vacancy (SiV) quantum memory modules, which store quantum information and are used in networking quantum systems. Both products are being introduced in Korea for the first time.
The cooperation extends to domestic manufacturing. SDT, IonQ, North Gyeongsang Province and the city of Gumi, all currently attending the Quantum World Congress in Maryland, plan to sign a four-way memorandum of understanding there on quantum technology and supply chain cooperation. Under the agreement, SDT will build a quantum manufacturing and system integration facility dedicated to IonQ in Gumi and pursue commercial production of SiV quantum memory modules using technology and know-how transferred from IonQ. SDT will also take part in the assembly, integration and commissioning of IonQ's quantum computing systems. The aim is to establish a manufacturing base in Korea capable of handling everything from the production of IonQ quantum components to system integration. Local governments and the companies are planning projects that would apply the quantum technology to actual manufacturing sites. North Gyeongsang Province plans to develop the Gumi quantum manufacturing facility as part of its "four key industries" initiative, which aims to build production bases in robotics, semiconductors, quantum technology and bio. An official at North Gyeongsang Province said, "Once the project budget is confirmed, we are discussing a plan to set up a special purpose company and combine private capital, local government investment and the government's regional revitalization investment fund."
SDT, meanwhile, has secured a position through the deal that could make it IonQ's preferred manufacturing partner in the Asia-Pacific and Japan region. If demand arises in the region for quantum memory and component manufacturing or for the assembly, integration and commissioning of quantum computing systems, SDT will have first call on discussing those business opportunities. It will also serve as a reseller of IonQ quantum computing systems and other products agreed on by the two companies.
Niccolo de Masi, IonQ's board chairman and chief executive, said he was proud to be expanding the company's commercial footprint in Korea while continuing to lead quantum-based cancer and biomedical research.
