The Novo Nordisk Foundation and the Danish State Loan Fund
announced on Thursday that they are investing in the world’s most
powerful quantum computer, with the goal of revolutionizing fields
such as drug development and materials
science,Azernews reports.

Quantum computing has the potential to perform calculations that
would take traditional computers millions of years to complete,
opening the door to breakthroughs in medicine, chemistry, and many
other areas where the vast number of molecular combinations
overwhelms classical systems.

In addition, Microsoft is launching a new venture in Denmark
that will host the largest quantum laboratory, where the company
will develop its software and build the quantum computer, dubbed
“Magne.” The name is inspired by Scandinavian mythology: Magne, the
son of the Norse god Thor, was known for his immense strength.
Construction of the quantum lab is set to begin this fall, with the
computer expected to be operational by the end of next year.

Jason Zander, vice president of Microsoft, shared with Reuters
that the quantum computer will operate with 50 logical qubits. A
qubit is the fundamental unit of information in a quantum computer,
and a logical qubit is a virtual unit composed of multiple physical
qubits, ensuring reliable quantum information processing.

Last November, Microsoft and Atom Computing set a milestone by
creating a record 24 logical qubits. Once the system reaches 100
logical qubits, it will be capable of tackling complex scientific
problems that were previously out of reach.

Quantum computers are considered the pinnacle of future
technology, poised to perform extraordinarily complex operations
with ease. In addition to their potential in drug discovery and
materials science, quantum computing could dramatically accelerate
advancements in artificial intelligence, climate modeling, and
cryptography, forever changing industries and our understanding of
the world.

In the future, researchers expect quantum computers to be able
to simulate the behavior of molecules at an atomic level, something
that could unlock entirely new classes of materials and drugs. For
instance, these computers could quickly simulate protein folding,
speeding up the development of new medications and therapies that
today would take years or even decades to discover.