Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc. has developed a quantum computational framework aimed at accelerating the discovery of next-generation photosensitizers for photodynamic cancer therapy. The company disclosed the work in a press release and a pre-print article published on arXiv.

Photodynamic cancer therapy uses light-activated compounds to destroy tumor cells. The approach is designed to limit damage to surrounding healthy tissue compared with treatments such as chemotherapy.

The effectiveness of a photosensitizer depends on complex physical properties. These include sensitivity to specific wavelengths of light and the efficiency with which the compound triggers cancer cell death. Such properties are difficult and costly to study using experimental synthesis and classical computing methods.

Xanadu’s framework applies quantum simulation algorithms to model these properties. The research evaluated four different photosensitizers, several of which are challenging to simulate with classical approaches. The results indicate that fault-tolerant quantum computers could accurately simulate the key characteristics needed to assess and improve these compounds.

According to the company, the work demonstrates how quantum computing could reduce the time and resources required to identify promising photosensitizer candidates. The framework focuses on simulating critical measures such as cumulative absorption and intersystem crossing rates, which influence the generation of reactive molecules that destroy cancer cells.

The research also outlines a quantum-based workflow for drug discovery. It provides estimates of the computational resources needed to run the algorithms on utility-scale quantum computers and points to potential gains in speed and efficiency compared with classical simulations.

Xanadu said the study represents a foundational step toward broader quantum-enabled drug design. Further work is planned to extend the framework to more complex photosensitizer molecules.

Separately, Xanadu has announced a business combination agreement with Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp., a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company. The combined entity, Xanadu Quantum Technologies Limited, is expected to be capitalized with about US$500 million in gross proceeds, subject to shareholder redemptions.

The new company is expected to list its shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market and the Toronto Stock Exchange.