Bringing science, technology and talent together to transform the healthcare system through quantum computing and artificial intelligence. This is the objective of the Q-CARE consortium, a project with participation of Izertis, led by the International Quantum Center of FSAS Technologies, a Fujitsu company, a multinational pioneer in quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Along with Izertis, the companies participating in this initiative are Additum, GSK and Qilimanjaro, companies with expertise in healthcare, quantum technologies and artificial intelligence.

The project also has the backing of leading research centres and universities in Spain, including Eurecat, TIC Salut Social, CITIC, CiTIUS and the Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (Neumovigo I+i).

Izertis develops and integrates artificial intelligence models

The participation of Izertis in this project is focused on the development, integration and validation of artificial intelligence models, especially in complex and sensitive data environments. It leads tasks related to data privacy, synthetic data generation and secure health information management. It also ensures the robustness and interoperability of the solutions deployed within the healthcare IT ecosystem.

The project is subsidised by the CDTI through the Missions of Science and Innovation programme, within the Transfer and Collaboration Programme of the State Plan for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research 2024-2027, in the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, and supported by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

It falls under Mission 6:. Digital Health, promoting research and development of new digital tools that improve the efficiency of healthcare systems, optimise healthcare processes and accelerate the discovery of new medicines.

Quantum computing and AI in the service of health  

Each of the consortium partners plays a distinct and complementary role based on their technological, scientific, clinical and managerial expertise and capabilities to provide the project with a solid, multidisciplinary and results-oriented structure to investigate the application of quantum computing and advanced AI in three major areas of the healthcare sector:

1. Medicine discovery: Quantum modelling and deep learning will be used to identify new molecules with therapeutic potential.
2. Genomic medicine and pharmacogenomics: With quantum computing to reconstruct phylogenetic trees and analyse genomic data to facilitate personalised treatments based on the genetics of each individual.
3. Optimisation of care and hospital processes: In collaboration with the Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (Neumovigo I+i), the project will explore how to apply artificial intelligence and quantum computing to optimise hospital resource management, speed up response times, anticipate respiratory crises, and personalise medical interventions. This approach seeks not only to optimise the efficiency of the healthcare system, but also to improve the quality of life of patients, reduce the burden on professionals and minimise the environmental impact of the carbon footprint associated with the treatment of chronic diseases.

Impact and objectives of the Q-CARE project

The project aims to improve the efficiency and personalisation of healthcare, reducing development times for new treatments and optimising hospital processes. Among the main expected benefits are:

1. Accelerating medicine discovery, by reducing research times through AI modelling, quantum hardware testing and quantum-inspired techniques.
2. Optimisation of resources in the healthcare system, improving the planning of operating theatres, the logistical coordination of the delivery of urgent medical material using drones and hospital management and care for patients with complex chronic diseases with a particular focus on COPD.
3. Reduction of the carbon footprint in the health sector through the digitalisation and optimisation of healthcare processes from the perspective of eco-design and the minimisation of physical tests in laboratories.

The Q-CARE project started in September 2024 and is scheduled to end in December 2025. This initiative represents a key step in the digital transformation of the Spanish healthcare sector.