IonQ on Wednesday touted its growing intellectual property portfolio amid an acquisition spree as quantum computing stocks continued to be volatile. In a related development, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology report highlighted China's leading position worldwide in quantum patents.
IonQ in a news release said its "rapidly expanding IP estate" now "totals over 1,000 licensed, owned, or controlled patents as well as patent applications."
In the June quarter, IonQ closed the acquisitions of Lightsynq and Capella. The company also announced the purchase of Oxford Ionics for over $1 billion. In earlier deals, IonQ purchased ID Quantique and Qubitekk.
"IonQ's robust and growing portfolio of patents is a direct result of the strategy set forth years ago, which entails developing and owning quantum technologies across multiple industries and applications," said IonQ Chief Executive Niccolo de Masi, in a news release. "These patents position IonQ to continue to develop scalable, high-performance, cost effective systems that accelerate the timeline for unparalleled commercial quantum advantage."
China Leads U.S. In Quantum Patents
Meanwhile, D-Wave Quantum has stated that it holds 250 U.S. patents and has 500 granted and pending patents globally, placing it in the top five quantum computing portfolios worldwide.
D-Wave stands out as the chief developer of one flavor of quantum technology. Founded in 1999 by researchers from the University of British Columbia in Canada, the company pioneered the process called "quantum annealing."
According to MIT's just released The "Quantum Index Report 2025,"China leads with 60% of patents as of 2024, followed by the U.S. and Japan.
"In the period 2014 to 2024, the total number of quantum technology patent filings grew significantly, representing a fivefold increase over this period. China emerged as the dominant location for quantum technology patent filing, growing from 1,011 patents in 2014 to 7,308 in 2024. The U.S. maintained second position throughout the period, increasing from 613 to 2,301 patents."
Quantum Computing Stocks Retreat Amid AI Bubble
Quantum computing stocks sold off on Wednesday as the Nasdaq composite fell. Artificial intelligence stocks have been under pressure.
Quantum computing uses exotic technologies, like supercold superconductor chips. Further, quantum computing aims to solve problems too complex for today's classical computers, such as simulating chemical reactions. Other applications are expected in material design.
Quantum computing stocks have been volatile in 2025 amid a fierce debate over how fast the technology will be commercialized. Nvidia has offered differing views.
In 2025, D-Wave stock has advanced 72% as of midday trading on Wednesday while IonQ stock is down 14%. Shares in Rigetti Computing have dipped 6%. Quantum Computing has retreated 15%.
Follow Reinhardt Krause on X, formerly Twitter, @reinhardtk_tech for updates on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cloud computing.
