The time is now: QuantumAI in the healthcare sector
At the health.tech global summit held in early March in Basel, innovators, decision-makers, and industry experts from across the healthcare ecosystem came together to discuss the future of digital health. One of this year’s key themes was the role of AI in healthcare. Peter Neske contributed the Pfizer perspective to a panel session on QuantumAI in the life sciences. The key takeaway: QuantumAI is no longer a purely theoretical field of the future. Companies should begin building capabilities now through pilot applications to ensure long‑term competitiveness.
The health.tech global summit is one of the leading international meeting points for digital health and health‑tech innovation, bringing together start‑ups, hospitals, life sciences companies, investors, and policymakers. As part of a panel session moderated by Dr. Frederik Flöther (QuantumBasel), Peter Neske (Pfizer Healthcare Hub Freiburg) joined Alexandra Beckstein (QAI Ventures), Jeroen Bakker (Novo Holdings), and Rickey Carter (Mayo Clinic) to explore the use of QuantumAI in the life sciences.
The risk of missed opportunity
The life sciences and healthcare sector is standing at a technological inflection point: developments in QuantumAI are advancing faster than organizations are able to operationalize them. Yet companies remain hesitant. According to the panelists, this hesitation carries a significant risk. German companies risk missing their AI learning curve if they wait for clear breakthroughs, while Europe and the United States are investing billions in quantum research and start-ups are setting new standards.
This is precisely why now is the time to systematically build quantum expertise. QuantumAI needs to become an integral part of strategic research on the R&D agenda and help create workforce readiness. Peter Neske outlined three use cases illustrating how Pfizer has approached the application of quantum technologies. Through pilot projects in production planning, oncology detection, and simulation, Pfizer has created experimentation spaces where early, actionable insights can be gathered and capabilities can be built. “We simply need to get started,” said Peter Neske.
No company can advance quantum alone
Progress can only happen when different areas of expertise come together: start‑ups drive technological experimentation at high speed, academic partners contribute scientific depth and methodological rigor, and industry users bring real‑world challenges from research, clinical practice, and manufacturing. Peter Neske illustrated this co‑creative approach with a pilot project from production planning: in this pilot, which focused on optimizing production planning using the quantum annealing method, Pfizer collaborated closely with D-Wave and QuantumBasel.
Learn more about the pilot project on optimizing production planning with quantum annealing:
Quantum Annealing in a Proof of Technology: Pfizer Freiburg explores new methods in production planning
Conclusion
The discussion at the health.tech global summit made one thing clear: those who wait risk falling behind, while those who experiment build knowledge, networks, and the ability to execute. Pilot projects and partnerships are essential, because no company can manage the complexity of quantum on its own. The path forward lies in shared learning, open ecosystems, and the courage to test technologies in practice long before they reach commercial maturity.
Innovation at Pfizer: perspectives from the site, the Hub, and the ecosystem
Pfizer’s innovation team – the iTeam – recently invited around 120 colleagues from the Freiburg manufacturing site and the global Pfizer network to an event held at the High‑Con facility in Freiburg. In the middle of the production environment, the site’s innovation DNA became tangible: through keynotes, an interactive gallery walk showcasing use cases and the working areas of the Pfizer Healthcare Hub and Knowledge Management, as well as a networking lunch.
During an interactive format featuring internal and external innovation impulses – the ‘InnoSession Special’ – the iTeam, made up of the Pfizer Healthcare Hub and Knowledge Management, offered insights into concrete innovation projects and the Hub’s role as a central point of contact for questions from business units as well as the first touchpoint for external innovators.
How do innovative solutions make their way into the Pfizer network?
The Healthcare Hub team connects challenges from the business units with external solutions through a format known as an InnoSession. In these short, high‑intensity sessions, external companies present innovative approaches to process optimization. The Hub team curates these solution proposals, placing emphasis on disruptive innovations that deliver strategic value.
Innovation as a competitive advantage
Oana Stürz, Innovation Engineer at the Pfizer Healthcare Hub, welcomed the guests from the Freiburg manufacturing site as well as the international site leader team.
Anne Kessler, Site Lead of Pfizer’s Freiburg manufacturing facility, spoke about the importance of innovation for Pfizer and reflected on the company’s early beginnings. According to Kessler, the spirit of innovation has been a defining part of Pfizer’s DNA from the very start. ‘Try again,’ exploring new paths, and embracing the necessary level of frustration tolerance – that, she said, is the Pfizer spirit. She emphasized that this ability to innovate is a key competitive advantage.
“It’s the people who make the difference”
Thomas Scheuerle, Managing Director of Badencampus, provided an overview of the region’s innovation ecosystem and positioned the Pfizer Healthcare Hub as an important player within it. He highlighted the Hub’s progressive understanding of innovation and emphasized the commitment of Peter Neske and his team to strengthening the regional ecosystem. According to Scheuerle, the Pfizer Healthcare Hub is not only a driving force for innovation but also a benchmark.
Discovering innovation through real use cases
During the subsequent gallery walk, guests had the opportunity to explore more than 30 posters showcasing concrete innovation use cases – including, for example, the development of an adapter using 3D printing – and to engage directly with subject‑matter experts. In addition, the Pfizer Healthcare Hub presented its areas of work, such as managing the internal and external innovation network, scouting potential innovation partners, and outlining the governance process.
In informal conversations at the different stations and later during the networking dinner, a lively exchange emerged: new connections were made, discussions from earlier program segments were deepened and further developed, individual questions were explored, and potential solution pathways were considered.
From Freiburg into Pfizer’s international network
The event impressively demonstrated how innovation at Pfizer is conceived, driven forward, and brought to life together with strong partners. The Healthcare Hub plays a central role as a point of contact and connective node for both external solution providers and Pfizer’s internal business units.
For external innovators, collaborating with the Pfizer Healthcare Hub Freiburg is particularly attractive because solutions implemented at the Freiburg manufacturing site have the potential to be replicated or scaled across Pfizer’s international network.
TU Berlin Visits the Pfizer Healthcare Hub Berlin
The Pfizer Healthcare Hub Berlin recently welcomed students from TU Berlin at Pfizer’s German headquarters. The visit aimed to provide the students with insights into the pharmaceutical industry, with a particular focus on digitalization and innovation processes. This resulted in a lively exchange on strategic innovation in healthcare.
Torsten Mintel, Director Strategic Innovation, introduced Pfizer and provided an overview of key figures and the company’s innovation priorities. He highlighted the strategic importance of innovation for Pfizer and, using current projects as examples, illustrated what strategic innovation means in practice and which objectives Pfizer pursues. The presented approaches were subsequently discussed in an open and interactive exchange.
A particular highlight was a virtual tour of Pfizer’s production site in Freiburg, which is regarded as a pioneer in lean manufacturing as well as environmental protection and sustainability.
Practice‑Oriented Case Studies on Technological Trends and AI
To deepen their understanding, the aspiring healthcare managers were asked to work on the following case studies:
- Which technological trends will become relevant for Pfizer in the future?
- What added value, opportunities, and risks does AI create for patients, healthcare professionals, and Pfizer?
Learning from each other across academia and industry
The exchange proved valuable for both sides: the students gained practical insights into the innovation processes of a pharmaceutical company, while the Pfizer Healthcare Hub team was inspired by the fresh perspectives and ideas of the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Mini-symposium “Quantum technology in medicine”: Strategic partnerships driving the future of healthcare
As part of a mini-symposium on “Quantum technology in medicine,” hosted by University Medical Center Freiburg and Pfizer Germany, key players from science, industry, and the innovation ecosystem came together last week. The symposium clearly demonstrated that successfully implementing quantum technologies to address medical challenges requires interdisciplinary collaboration between research, industry, and clinical practice.
New milestone in collaboration: University Medical Center Freiburg and Pfizer co-host symposium on quantum technology in medicine
AI and quantum computing are strategic key technologies with the potential to fundamentally transform precision medicine, prevention, and pharmaceutical value creation. The goal of the mini-symposium was to build a shared understanding of how quantum technology can be applied in medicine and to identify concrete touchpoints for research and clinical practice.
Quantum technology and AI as key drivers of the next wave of medical innovation
Following a welcome by the organizers Jochen Burkhardt, Head of Strategy and Development at University Medical Center Freiburg (UMCF), Hiroyo Iida-Falk, Innovation Project Manager at UMCF, and Peter Neske, Innovation Lead and Head of the Pfizer Healthcare Hub Freiburg, the symposium was opened by Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Frederik Wenz, Chief Medical Director and CEO of UMCF, and Dr. Christian Lenz, Medical Director and member of the Executive Board at Pfizer Germany, with their respective keynotes.
Prof. Wenz emphasized the role of research in accelerating the transfer of innovation into clinical practice. UMCF focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration, international networking, and integrating industry partners. Prevention is central to stabilizing the healthcare system, while future technologies such as AI and quantum computing are seen as drivers of progress in diagnostics, drug development, and imaging.
Dr. Lenz highlighted the importance of quantum computing for pharmaceutical research. Combined with AI, it could reduce drug development timelines from ten years to just a few. Despite its enormous potential, challenges such as scalability and cost remain.
Round 1: Insights from fundamental research
Quantum computing is a game changer for the future of medicine, but current limitations remain.
Quantum technology offers tremendous opportunities for processing high-dimensional data, creating digital twins, and developing personalized therapies. However, technical hurdles such as error-corrected qubits and hardware bottlenecks remain, meaning realistic applications are not expected before 2030.
To fully leverage this technology, synergies between AI, quantum computing, and strategic partnerships are essential.
Pfizer and other stakeholders are investing in AI, digital twins, and cloud solutions to accelerate complex molecular interaction calculations. Start-ups are driving algorithm development, while large companies are bridging the gap to widespread quantum adoption through collaborations and supercomputing.
Round 2: Insights into applied quantum computing
Quantum computing and digital technologies are key drivers for personalized prevention and data integration.
In the future, quantum computing, AI, and interoperable platforms such as OPTIMA will enable the analysis of vast medical data spaces and the development of precise prevention strategies. This requires structured data as well as clear ethical and technical standards.
Innovation demands cultural change and regulation.
Openness, acceptance of failure, and global rules for the use of AI and quantum computing are essential to harness opportunities such as digital twins and smart health projects while minimizing risks like data privacy breaches or loss of autonomy.
Round 3: Insights for applications in diagnostics and pharmaceutical production
Pfizer’s first quantum computing projects show promising results.
Pfizer is leveraging AI and quantum-based methods in multiple ways. A pilot project optimizing production planning at the Freiburg site demonstrates practical applicability. In the future, these technologies are expected to contribute to early detection of oncological diseases—aligned with national and European high-tech strategies.
Quantum sensing sets new standards in oncology.
Together with University Medical Center Freiburg, Pfizer is developing quantum-based methods for highly sensitive antigen measurement. The combination of NV-diamond sensing, magnetically labeled antibodies, and AI-driven data optimization aims to revolutionize personalized therapy decisions. Initial results confirm the potential for companion diagnostics and liquid biopsy.
Summary and outlook: “Taking risks could become Germany’s greatest resource.”
In the wrap-up, Prof. Wenz emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between clinics, research, and industry to successfully address complex topics such as AI and sensing technologies. The University Medical Center contributes questions, biomaterials, and data. In addition to study data, real-world and prevention data should also be leveraged. From 2026, new legal frameworks will enable expanded use of patient data – a major achievement that requires responsible action, Prof. Wenz noted.
Dr. Lenz underlined the relevance of clinical data for Pfizer and proposed continuing the format. The organizers highlighted the strength of the regional innovation ecosystem stretching from Mannheim/Heidelberg through Karlsruhe and Strasbourg to Basel, including numerous active collaborations, such as via the innovation platform.
“Taking risks could become Germany’s most important resource,” quoted Peter Neske, urging participants to harness the momentum for future joint projects.
The organizers concluded that this symposium should serve as a starting point for further formats to advance the use of quantum technology in diagnostics and therapy.
