On September 3, MaQuEst’s team presented at a BioValley France event dedicated to the health sector. Drawing on what has been tried and what has been learned, the talk offered a grounded perspective on where the quantum computing technology genuinely stands today  and why starting to invest in quantum computing in healthcare is a reasonable choice, even before the technology has matured. 

In health science, the impact of increasing computing power would be evident  

Whether it’s calculating molecular properties, simulating protein folding, classifying medical images or diagnosing a tumor, further developments in a wide array of areas in healthcare depends on our ability to improve our computing capacities. This is why the question of how and in what aspects we could make a use of quantum computing is at the forefront of innovation in the health sector

No quantum advantage yet, and that’s not a bad sign 

While some results achieved by quantum computing are comparable to classical high-performance computing (HPC), when comparing quantum computing’s results today to HPC, one needs to keep in mind that they are comparing one technology in its infancy to one that have already matured. There are still challenges that quantum needs to resolve before we can evaluate its potential with certainty.

The two main challenges we need to address, before we can expect a concrete quantum advantage, are :

1. Hardware needs to find solutions to key issues: while impressive progress has been made the last few years, qubits are still too few and too error-prone to run, among other issues, the large precise calculations that drug discovery or genomics would require at scale.
2. Algorithms are still being optimised: because there could be room for requiring less resources for a given problem or better translating a scientific question into something that can be run by quantum, algorithms are often refined into better version.

Where quantum computing points to in health sector

Despite these limits, the direction of interest in the health sector are already plenty. The areas being actively explored include:

1. Drug discovery, exploring potential candidates and evaluating treatment efficiency
2. Protein folding, predicting three-dimensional structure from a sequence
3. Genomics, analyzing and interpreting genetic data at scale
4. Feature extraction and classification, pulling meaningful signal out of complex biological data
5. Medical imaging, including applications such as brain MRI analysis in oncology.

Across diagnostics, drug development and treatment design, problems that are structurally difficult for classical computing could benefit from a different computational approach and translate into better outcomes for patients.

Why now is a good time to start looking for ways to benefit from quantum computing?

Quantum applications have to be built up from small systems to larger ones. Learning and understanding how to apply it takes time in itself, and this needs to be worked on alongside the hardware development. Waiting until the hardware is mature before starting that work might delay the scaling and deploiement by a significant amount of time.

MaQuEst’s funding programme

This is exactly why MaQuEst is launching its call for project with the Region Grand Est. Designed to support companies exploring use cases or launching research, development or innovation projects in quantum or hybrid (HPC/quantum) computing, this call for project allows selected companies to candidate to a support from the Region Grand Est :

1. Quantum diagnostic: identify and explore your use cases, with support of up to €15,000
2. Quantum research, development, or innovation: develop an innovative use case, with support of up to €150,000

Find all the info here : click here.

On 24 September, from 9.00 am to 10.00 am, MaQuEst, the Grand Est Quantum Hub, in partnership with Adira, the Alsace Development Agency, invites you to their webinar “Quantum: Understand to Innovate”.

With recent advances in the field of quantum technology, this area is rapidly emerging as a strategic issue of national importance, as well as a major focus for innovation and R&D within businesses. But what exactly do the terms ‘quantum computing’ and ‘hybrid computing’ encompass? What opportunities do they offer compared to traditional computing for businesses across different sectors? How does it relate to high-performance computing? Above all, what impact will it have on your business?

These questions will be addressed and answered during our webinar.

For businesses, the window of opportunity is open: now is the time to invest in quantum technology so as not to miss out and to gain a decisive head start in the years to come.

We look forward to seeing many of you at this webinar, where you’ll be able to discuss with the MaQuEst team to identify opportunities available in the region, learn the basics of launching a quantum innovation project with IBM, and speak with the representative for the Grand Est region, who supports innovative projects in the field of quantum computing.

Register

On the agenda:

1. Understanding the key concepts of quantum computing and high-performance computing
2. Discovering the fundamentals of launching a quantum innovation project, presented by IBM
3. Identifying opportunities to work with key players in the quantum ecosystem today
4. Familiarising yourself with the ‘Pack Quantique’ funding scheme to begin your assessment and launch your quantum innovation projects

Speakers:

1. Monique Jung Gengenwin, ADIRA, Director
2. Nataša Nadoveza, MaQuEst, ‘Pack Quantique’ Engineer
3. Aurélie Thouron, IBM, Quantum Programme Manager
4. Lesya Dymyd, MaQuEst, Business Developer
5. Martin Greder, Grand Est Region, Head of Start-up Development

Register

You know that quantum and hybrid computing (HPC/quantum) presents an opportunity for innovation within your business, but the key question remains unanswered: where do you start to identify a relevant use case in your sector?

MaQuEst (Maison du Quantique Grand Est), in partnership with Scaleway, QbitSoft and QPerfect, is organising a free webinar to provide businesses with the tools they need to move from understanding quantum computing to identifying practical use cases.

This webinar will be held in English.

Quantum computing: strategies to identify your company's relevant use cases

Le 16 septembre 2026, de 14h00 à 15h00, en ligne

Who is this webinar for?

This session is aimed at decision-makers, researchers and R&D engineers, innovation managers, as well as anyone curious about what quantum and hybrid computing can offer their business. No technical prior knowledge is required to attend.

What you’ll learn

1. An introduction to MaQuEst, its funding scheme and the key players in the quantum ecosystem in the Grand Est region
2. Practical strategies for identifying a relevant use case within your organisation
3. Feedback and practical examples to help you structure your approach

Why should you be interested now?

The window of opportunity is open: now is the time to move from understanding to action to gain a decisive head start in the years to come. Companies that identify their use cases early on will be best placed to gain a sustainable competitive advantage.

Speakers

1. Valentin Macheret, Engineering Manager, Scaleway
2. Lionel Rigaud, Co-founder & CEO, QbitSoft
3. Aymane Hassani, Quantum Application Engineer, QPerfect
4. Lesya Dymyd, Business Developer, MaQuEst

Registration

Registration is mandatory and free of charge.

[Register for the webinar]

Is your company looking to perform a diagnostic study to identify and explore quantum use cases, or to carry out a research and development project based on hybrid (HPC) or quantum computing? MaQuEst, the Grand Est Quantum Hub, is launching a call for projects to receive financial support from the Grand Est Region of up to €150,000.

Apply between 15 September and 16 November 2026.

Two funding options

Option 1: Quantum Assessment

Support for projects aimed at identifying and exploring use cases utilising high-performance computing (HPC) and/or quantum computing. Maximum grant: €15,000, corresponding to up to 50 per cent of eligible expenditure (excluding VAT), depending on the size of the company.

Option 2: Quantum R&D and Innovation Projects

Support for exploratory projects developing innovative use cases based on hybrid (HPC) or quantum computing, applied to a defined industrial challenge and demonstrating a high degree of innovation. Maximum grant: €150,000, corresponding to between 25% and 45% of eligible expenditure (excluding VAT), depending on the size of the company.

Priority topics

Several topics have been identified as priorities under this call for projects:

1. industrial and logistical optimisation,
2. quantum chemistry and materials,
3. health and pharmacology,
4. energy and the green transition,
5. cybersecurity and post-quantum cryptography,
6. artificial intelligence,
7. hybrid computing.

How can you benefit from this support?

You are eligible if your company meets the following conditions:

1. Provide evidence of outsourcing R&D activities within the Grand Est region
2. Sufficient equity and a significant amount of paid-up share capital
3. Use an external service or enter into a collaboration agreement with a member of the MaQuEst consortium, or with any other public or private organisation with proven expertise in quantum or hybrid computing
4. The project must have been selected under the calls for proposals for innovation in high-performance computing (HPC) and quantum computing organised by MaQuEst, with a letter of recommendation from the scientific evaluation committee issued by MaQuEst

Your project must also relate to:

1. high-performance computing aimed at solving problems arising from quantum computing (in particular through simulation on HPC infrastructure), or utilising hybrid HPC/quantum approaches,
2. or a project focused on quantum computing that will have a medium-term impact on the company’s development (competitiveness, market positioning, expertise).

How to apply?

To apply for this regional grant, please follow these steps:

1. Familiarise yourself with the requirements using the template, which will soon be available on this page
2. Contact us for assistance in developing your project: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
3. Complete the template, which will soon be available, and send it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
4. Receive a recommendation letter from the MaQuEst scientific committee if your project is selected
5. Submit your application online via the region’s website, attaching your recommendation letter and supporting documents, no later than three months before the project starts

If you are interested in applying for this regional grant, the MaQuEst team is here to help. For further information, please contact us without delay.