Quantum Machine Learning in Drug Discovery: Applications in Academia and Pharmaceutical Industries

The nexus of quantum computing and machine learning─quantum machine learning─offers the potential for significant advancements in chemistry. This Review specifically explores the potential of quantum neural networks on gate-based quantum computers within the context of drug discovery. We discuss the theoretical foundations of quantum machine learning, including data encoding, variational quantum circuits, and hybrid quantum-classical approaches. Applications to drug discovery are highlighted, including molecular property prediction and molecular generation. We provide a balanced perspective, emphasizing both the potential benefits and the challenges that must be addressed.