Pharmaceutical giant Merck is taking a cautious but informed approach that includes setting up an internal working group and partnering with Quantum Computing startup Seeqc to monitor developments while keeping an open mind.
About 3 years ago, Merck decided it was time to start educating itself about the emerging quantum sector. The company’s venture capital arm, M Ventures, began looking within the company for experts who could help it with due diligence as it began to assess quantum startups.
That led to the formal creation of the Quantum Computing Task Force, which has roughly 50 members who try to communicate with quantum players large and small as well as peers among Merck’s own competition.
As part of that exploration, M Ventures eventually began investing in quantum-related startups. In April 2020, the venture fund announced a $5 million investment in Seeqc. (VentureBeat)