16 January 2026

The Identification of Emerging Quantum Technologies in the Healthcare Sector: A Horizon Scanning Study

Quantum technologies, driven by principles of quantum mechanics like superposition and entanglement, have shown transformative potential in drug discovery, medical diagnosis, precision medicine, and other therapeutic interventions. This horizon-scanning study identified 116 quantum technologies such as computing algorithms, therapeutics, sensors, and imaging applications within healthcare.

The main objective of this study was to identify emerging quantum technologies such as quantum computing, diagnostics, and therapeutics, with a focus on specific applications within healthcare. After a comprehensive search and analysing data from various sources such are clinical trials, soft intelligence and published literature, we identified 116 technologies with applications such as drug discovery, diagnosis assistance, precision medicine, and treatment interventions. Diagnosis assistance-related technologies, (such as magnetoencephalography and quantum dots) constituted most of the technologies, while quantum computing-related machine learning and algorithms were significant in specific areas such as drug discovery and precision medicine. Furthermore, the integration of quantum technologies into healthcare faces challenges such as infrastructure demands, regulatory frameworks, and the need for professional training. This paper highlights the current landscape of emerging quantum technologies in discusses the challenges in effectively integrating these technologies into healthcare systems.

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