Sandbox AQ, the artificial intelligence and quantum intelligence company that spun off from Google’s parent company Alphabet in 2022, has acquired Good chemistrya Vancouver-based quantum and computational chemistry startup, for an undisclosed sum.
Good Chemistry, founded by Arman Zaribafiyan in 2021 as a spin-off of quantum computing company 1QBit and backed by investors including Green Sands Equity and Accenture Ventures, offers cloud-based tools to accelerate materials design. The Good Chemistry platform allows chemistry developers to create chemical simulation applications and workflows using algorithms in quantum chemistry and machine learning as well as quantum computing.
In a press release, Sandbox AQ VP Nadia Carlsten said the acquisition will expand Sandbox’s global presence as well as adding “proven technologies,” including simulation technologies and key customers (such as Dow Chemical) to its portfolio. Carlsten added that new investors are also part of the deal – with all Good Chemistry backers joining the Sandbox AQ investor base.
“Good Chemistry’s existing programs and partnerships will enable us to accelerate how we deliver the benefits of advanced simulation and AI tools to more customers,” Carlsten said. “Combining our capabilities will give Sandbox AQ an advanced, scalable computing platform for highly accurate chemical simulations at a scale that makes impactful use cases such as the manufacturing of drugs and new materials possible.”
Sandbox AQ sees simulation becoming an increasing focus of its work, which includes drug discovery and materials design across the agriculture, defence, energy, medical and manufacturing sectors. With Good Chemistry, the company is gaining 25 computational and quantum chemists, AI and software engineers and quantum computing scientists skilled at leveraging simulation technology; Interestingly, Zaribafiyan joins Sandbox as Head of Product for Simulation Platforms while Good Chemistry employees take on roles in Sandbox’s existing simulation teams.
“Rapid advances in artificial intelligence, quantum, cloud, and high-performance computing have opened up endless opportunities for companies like Good Chemistry and Sandbox AQ to reinvent the way we think about chemistry, discover ways to make products safer, stronger, and more sustainable, and reshape them,” Zrebavian said in a statement. “The fabric of our world.”[Tapping] Sandbox AQ’s broader scope and domain expertise will enhance the capabilities of our platform.
As part of the acquisition, Sandbox AQ says it will integrate Good Chemistry’s software, Qemist Cloud and Tangelo, into its enterprise software suite. Qemist allows the user to leverage quantum chemistry through simulations, while Tangelo allows them to perform chemistry experiments via quantum cloud providers and hardware.
Good Chemistry is Sandbox’s second acquisition. In 2022, it bought Cryptosense, a startup focused on SaaS for cybersecurity and cryptography.