Quantum Computing Inc. ("QCI'' or the "Company") (NASDAQ: QUBT), a
leader in accessible quantum computing software, today announced
that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire QPhoton,
a quantum photonics innovation company that has developed a series
of quantum photonic systems (QPS). The acquisition of QPhoton
extends QCI’s offerings to accelerate the accessibility of quantum
computing, and other powerful technologies, into easily deployable
solutions today, and advances QCI into a full-spectrum quantum
software and hardware company.
QPhoton’s QPS, including those for AI and
optimization, operate at room temperature and maintain
computational stability in a variety of application environments.
These unique approaches eliminate the cost and complexity required
by the hyper-cooled, tightly controlled environments required by
other technology. QPhoton’s QPS is designed to be easily deployed
and used at a substantially reduced total cost of ownership
relative to competing offerings, while providing substantial
quantum advantages.
The QPS for optimization work effectively with
QCI’s Qatalyst™ software, which is designed to eliminate the need
for complex quantum programming and runs seamlessly across a
variety of quantum computers. This combination sets QCI on a path
to delivering a broadly accessible and affordable solution that can
be used by non-quantum experts, anywhere, for real-world industry
applications.
Qatalyst will continue to be a vendor-neutral
software, supporting a variety of quantum computing platforms
including D-Wave, IonQ, Oxford Quantum Circuits, Rigetti, and
QPhoton, among others.
“This acquisition is key to QCI delivering on its
commitment to be the democratizing force that empowers non-quantum
experts to realize quantum value,” stated Robert Liscouski, CEO of
QCI. “The combination of QPhoton’s powerful quantum processing
technology and systems with QCI’s Qatalyst software significantly
accelerates accessibility to quantum solutions for real business
problems. Just a year ago this quantum functionality seemed far
off. QCI, with QPhoton’s technology, will be launching ready-to-run
anywhere, full-stack quantum systems that can deliver affordable,
user-friendly solutions for real business problems to a much larger
audience.”
“Joining forces with QCI is a momentous occasion in
achieving my life’s work in delivering real quantum value to
industry,” said Dr. Yuping Huang, CEO of QPhoton. “Our quantum
hardware, which emphasizes turn-key and cost-effective operations,
is an ideal match for QCI’s ready-to-run Qatalyst software and many
other services that we are going to jointly develop and provide.
This combination lays the groundwork for scalable quantum solutions
to be incorporated into critical business activities and will
operate seamlessly alongside classical technology today.”
Dr. Huang, the Gallagher Associate Professor of
Physics at Stevens Institute of Technology and the founding
Director of the Center for Quantum Science and Engineering, has
developed a number of quantum techniques over the past few years
based on over $18 million of investment from many US government
agencies, including the Department of Defense, the National Science
Foundation, and NASA. His research has led to the development of
practical quantum and photonic technologies ranging from quantum
networking, quantum biomedical imaging, quantum processing on a
chip to quantum remote sensing.
“Through the planned acquisition of QPhoton and Dr.
Huang’s continued leadership at the Center for Quantum Science and
Engineering, we will work closely with Stevens Institute of
Technology to provide additional opportunities to PhD, graduate and
undergraduate physics students. This is a very important and
exciting partnership for QCI,” Liscouski added.
“Stevens Institute of Technology is immensely proud
that Professor Yuping Huang, QPhoton and QCI have reached this
exciting point in their goal to make quantum capabilities broadly
accessible to many industries,” said Nariman Farvardin, president
of Stevens Institute of Technology. “Dr. Huang is a talented
researcher and entrepreneur and a product of the fertile
environment at Stevens that supports faculty in creating new
technologies that have the potential to be major disruptors in
industry and society.”
“It’s clear to me that the combination of QCI and
QPhoton can deliver a quantum computer that will dramatically shift
the accessibility of quantum systems and drive results sooner and
more cost effectively,” said Paul Nashawaty, Senior Analyst at
Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG). ESG, a division of
TechTarget, is an IT analyst, research, validation, and strategy
firm that provides market intelligence and actionable insight
to the global IT community. “A special benefit of this merger
is that the companies are broadening the user base to non-quantum
experts who have been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to explore
quantum-possible problems in areas like optimization, drug
discovery and others. With a full-stack approach, QCI and QPhoton
offer a unique opportunity to accelerate the delivery of practical
quantum applications. This is the same process that drove value in
classical computing and we’re seeing it now in quantum,” added
Nashawaty.
QPhoton will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of QCI,
and Dr. Huang is expected to join QCI as a director and officer.
Under the definitive agreement, at the closing of the proposed
transaction, QCI will issue to QPhoton’s stockholders aggregate
merger consideration consisting of: 5,802,206 shares of QCI’s
common stock, 2,377,028 shares of a new series of QCI’s preferred
stock, convertible into 23,770,280 shares of common stock (subject
to receipt of the approval of QCI’s stockholders), and warrants
exercisable, at a purchase price of $0.0001 per share, to purchase
up to 7,028,337 shares of common stock (subject to receipt of the
approval of QCI’s stockholders). The merger consideration is
subject to adjustment under certain circumstances, such that it
will represent in total approximately 49% of the total capital
stock of QCI outstanding immediately following the closing. The
transaction is expected to close during the third or fourth quarter
of 2022 and is subject to customary and other closing conditions,
including QCI obtaining a final order from the Court of Chancery of
the State of Delaware pursuant to Section 205 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
The description of the transaction contained herein
is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the reference
to the definitive agreement entered into between QCI and QPhoton
and other definitive agreements relating to the transaction.
Additional information about the transaction will be provided in a
Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by QCI with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov.
To learn more about QCI and how Qatalyst can
deliver results for your business today, go to
www.quantumcomputinginc.com.
About Quantum Computing
Inc.Quantum Computing Inc. (QCI) (NASDAQ: QUBT) is
accelerating the value of quantum computing for real-world business
solutions. The company’s flagship product, Qatalyst, is the first
software to bridge the power of classical and quantum computing,
hiding complexity and empowering SMEs to solve complex
computational problems today. QCI’s expert team in finance,
computing, security, mathematics and physics has over a century of
experience with complex technologies; from leading edge
supercomputing, to massively parallel programming, to the security
that protects nations. Connect with QCI on LinkedIn and @QciQuantum
on Twitter. For more information about QCI, visit
www.quantumcomputinginc.com.
About QPhotonQPhoton is a quantum
photonics innovation company. It develops and commercializes
powerful quantum nanophotonic technology and systems to transform
critical areas of industry, including healthcare, cybersecurity,
finance, environment, and computer vision. QPhoton maintains a
growing and diverse portfolio of patented nanophotonic and quantum
technology, covering quantum sensing, imaging, information privacy,
authentication, data analytics, and quantum photonic computing.
Important Cautions Regarding
Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains
forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. By their nature,
forward-looking statements and forecasts involve risks and
uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on
circumstances that will occur in the near future. Those statements
include statements regarding the intent, belief or current
expectations of Quantum Computing Inc. (the “Company”), and members
of its management as well as the assumptions on which such
statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any
such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual
results may differ materially from those contemplated by such
forward-looking statements.
Statements in this press release that are not
descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking statements
relating to future events, and as such all forward-looking
statements are made pursuant to the Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Statements may contain certain forward-looking
statements pertaining to future anticipated or projected plans,
performance and developments, as well as other statements relating
to future operations and results. Any statements in this press
release that are not statements of historical fact may be
considered to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "may,"
"will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "intends,"
"goal," "objective," "seek," "attempt," "aim to," or variations of
these or similar words, identify forward-looking statements. Such
statements include statements regarding the Company’s ability to
consummate its planned acquisition of QPhoton, the anticipated
benefits of such acquisition, and the Company’s ability to
successfully develop, market and sell its products. Factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements contained in this press release include,
but are not limited to, the parties’ potential inability to
consummate the proposed transaction, including as a result of a
failure to satisfy closing conditions to the proposed transactions;
risks that QPhoton will not be integrated successfully; failure to
realize anticipated benefits of the combined operations; potential
litigation relating to the proposed transaction and disruptions
from the proposed transaction that could harm the Company’s or
QPhoton’s business; ability to retain key personnel; the potential
impact of announcement or consummation of the proposed transaction
on relationships with third parties, including customers, employees
and competitors; conditions in the capital markets; and those risks
described in Item 1A in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2021, which is expressly
incorporated herein by reference, and other factors as may
periodically be described in the Company’s filings with the SEC.
The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise
forward-looking statements to reflect changed conditions.
Qatalyst™ is the trademark of Quantum Computing
Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.
Company Contact:Robert Liscouski,
CEOQuantum Computing, Inc.+1 (703) 436-2161Email Contact
Investor Relations Contact:Ron
Both or Grant StudeCMA Investor Relations+1 (949) 432-7566Email
Contact
Media Relations Contact:Seth
MenackerFusion Public Relations+1 (201)
638-7561qci@fusionpr.com
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