Denmark Invests in ODAQS Initiative to Simplify Quantum Programming and Bring Technology Closer to Healthcare Applications

Denmark Invests in ODAQS Initiative to Simplify Quantum Programming and Bring Technology Closer to Healthcare Application Photo: Colourbox

(IN BRIEF) Aalborg University has joined forces with Aarhus University and quantum technology company Kvantify in the ODAQS project, a DKK 17.4 million initiative funded by Innovation Fund Denmark to make quantum computing more practical for pharmaceutical research. The project will develop an advanced software stack that uses reinforcement learning and optimized compilation techniques to simplify programming, improve efficiency, and enable real-world applications such as drug discovery. Running from 2026 to 2029, the collaboration aims to reduce the time and cost of early-stage medicine development while strengthening Denmark’s capabilities in quantum technology.

(PRESS RELEASE) AALBORG, 23-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Aalborg University is participating in a new research and innovation initiative designed to unlock the practical potential of quantum computing and make the technology more accessible for pharmaceutical research and development. The project has secured DKK 17.4 million in funding from Innovation Fund Denmark.

The initiative, known as ODAQS (Optimal Design Automation towards a Performant Quantum Software Stack), brings together researchers from Aalborg University and Aarhus University alongside Danish quantum technology company Kvantify. The collaboration aims to build a comprehensive software framework that simplifies how scientists and companies interact with quantum computers, helping translate theoretical capabilities into real-world healthcare applications.

Although quantum computing is widely recognized for its transformative promise in areas such as molecular modelling and drug discovery, its adoption remains limited due to the complexity of programming and adapting algorithms to different quantum machines. The ODAQS project seeks to address this barrier by developing tools that allow users to design and execute quantum programs more efficiently without needing to navigate the technical constraints of specific hardware platforms.

A central component of the research focuses on applying reinforcement learning to automate the creation of optimized quantum software. By training algorithms to identify more efficient ways of structuring quantum programs, the team aims to reduce the computational resources required and improve performance even on today’s early-stage quantum hardware.

The project also concentrates on building methods to translate high-level quantum algorithms into executable programs tailored to individual quantum systems. This approach is intended to streamline the pathway from theoretical models to functioning applications while improving reliability and reproducibility.

ODAQS combines expertise in programming languages, compilation techniques, simulation, and software verification to create an integrated development environment for quantum applications. The work has a particular emphasis on quantum chemistry and pharmaceutical development, where more precise simulations of chemical interactions could significantly shorten research timelines and lower costs during early-stage drug discovery.

Kvantify will play a key role in demonstrating how the project’s software components can be transformed into industry-ready tools, helping bridge the gap between academic research and commercial deployment.

Running from 2026 through 2029, the initiative is supported by Innovation Fund Denmark’s Grand Solutions programme, which backs high-impact collaborations with strong potential to benefit society and industry. The partners expect the project to contribute to Denmark’s long-term position in the global quantum technology landscape while delivering tools usable in research, education, and industrial innovation.

Contact:

Kim Guldstrand Larsen
Professor
Tel: +4599408893
E-mail: kgl@cs.aau.dk

Peter Witten
AAU Communication and Public Affairs

SOURCE: Aalborg University