IonQ Completes Acquisition of Lightsynq, Accelerating Quantum Computing and Networking Roadmap

Business Wire

03-06-2025

COLLEGE PARK, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), a leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, today announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Lightsynq Technologies, Inc., a Boston-based startup specializing in photonic interconnects and quantum memory. This strategic acquisition accelerates IonQ's fault-tolerant quantum computing roadmap and advances progress toward the development of the quantum internet.
Lightsynq's photonic interconnect platform supports high-fidelity, multi-nodal qubit operations and modularity, which are essential for scaling quantum computers. The company's innovations in quantum memory and repeater technology complement IonQ's trapped-ion quantum computing approach and will advance IonQ's quantum networking systems.
'With this acquisition, we're not just acquiring talent and technology, we're accelerating our development timeline to fault tolerant quantum computers and long distance networking capabilities,' said Niccolo de Masi, CEO of IonQ. 'This deal accelerates the shift from experimental bulk optics to scalable optical chips, moving us closer to commercializing our next generation of advanced quantum technologies and the quantum internet.'
Founded by Harvard quantum networking experts and former AWS research leads Dr. Mihir Bhaskar, Dr. Bart Machielse, and Dr. David Levonian, Lightsynq has developed universal photonic interconnect solutions designed to link multiple quantum processing units (QPUs) with high bandwidth to scale quantum systems.
'IonQ is already a leader in enterprise-grade quantum computing and networking, and by joining forces, we're accelerating the path to modular architectures that will deliver data-center-scale quantum computers in the future,' said Dr. Mihir Bhaskar, CEO of Lightsynq. 'Our work will enable IonQ's systems to network at speed and scale, laying the foundation for distributed quantum computing.'
As part of this acquisition, IonQ will add to its patent portfolio over 20 patents and patent applications related to quantum memory and interconnect technologies, further strengthening IonQ's intellectual property position in the quantum computing and networking industry. This acquisition augments IonQ's growing leadership in the quantum networking space, including its recent acquisitions of quantum networking companies Qubitekk and ID Quantique, and the development of a quantum computing and networking innovation center with EPB in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
About IonQ
IonQ, Inc. is a leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, delivering high-performance systems aimed at solving the world's largest and most complex commercial and research use cases. IonQ's current generation quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems, boasting 36 algorithmic qubits. The company's innovative technology and rapid growth were recognized in Newsweek's 2025 Excellence Index 1000, Forbes' 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list, and Built In's 2025 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Washington, D.C. and Seattle, respectively. Available through all major cloud providers, IonQ is making quantum computing more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ.com.
About Lightsynq
Lightsynq is a quantum interconnect company founded by Harvard quantum networking experts and former AWS research leads Dr. Mihir Bhaskar (CEO), Dr. Bart Machielse (CTO) and Dr. David Levonian (CPO). Lightsynq's founders built the first-ever quantum memory capable of extending the range of quantum networks, a key technology enabling quantum devices to connect together in a future Quantum Internet. Lightsynq's core mission is to use this same technology to build the world's best quantum interconnects to link quantum processors at high speeds and overcome the bottleneck of single-system scaling.
IonQ Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the words 'will,' 'growing,' 'accelerates,' 'accelerating,' 'advance,' 'advances,' and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to IonQ's quantum computing and quantum networking capabilities and plans; IonQ's development towards the quantum internet; IonQ technology driving commercial quantum advantage in the future; IonQ delivering scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing in the future; the relevance and utility of quantum algorithms and applications run on IonQ's quantum computers; the necessity, effectiveness, and future impacts of IonQ's offerings available today; and the scalability, fidelity, efficiency, viability, accessibility, effectiveness, importance, reliability, performance, speed, impact, practicality, feasibility, and commercial-readiness of IonQ's offerings. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: IonQ's ability to implement its technical roadmap; changes in the competitive industries in which IonQ operates, including development of competing technologies; IonQ's ability to deliver, and customers' ability to generate, value from IonQ's offerings; IonQ's ability to deliver higher speed and fidelity gates with fewer errors, enhance information transfer and network accuracy, or reduce noise and errors; IonQ's ability to sell effectively to government entities and large enterprises; changes in laws and regulations affecting IonQ's and its suppliers' businesses; IonQ's ability to implement its business plans, forecasts, roadmaps and other expectations, to identify and realize partnerships and opportunities, and to engage new and existing customers; IonQ's ability to effectively enter new markets; IonQ's ability to deliver services and products within currently anticipated timelines; IonQ's inability to attract and retain key personnel; IonQ's inability to effectively integrate its acquisitions of Qubitekk, Inc. assets and close its acquisition of a majority interest in ID Quantique, SA; IonQ's customers deciding or declining to extend contracts into new phases; the inability of IonQ's suppliers to deliver components that meet expectations timely; changes in U.S. government spending or policy that may affect IonQ's customers; and risks associated with U.S. government sales, including availability of funding and provisions that allow the government to unilaterally terminate or modify contracts for convenience; changes in laws and regulations affecting IonQ's patents; and IonQ's ability to maintain or obtain patent protection for its products and technology, including with sufficient breadth to provide a competitive advantage. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's filings, including but not limited to those described in the 'Risk Factors' section of IonQ's most recent Quarterly Report on form 10-Q, Annual Report on form 10-K, and other documents filed by IonQ from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and IonQ assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. IonQ does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations. IonQ may or may not choose to practice or otherwise use the inventions described in the issued patents in the future.