IonQ Announces Intention to Acquire Lightsynq, Expediting Quantum Computing, Quantum Internet, and Offering Clear Path to Millions of Qubits

Lightsynq technologies to accelerate company’s quantum computing and quantum networking roadmaps with photonic interconnect scaling and long-distance repeaters

Acquisition to expand IonQ’s quantum capabilities with leading quantum memory team and intellectual property

IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), a leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Lightsynq Technologies Inc., a Boston-based startup founded by former Harvard University quantum memory experts. Lightsynq’s team and IP are expected to significantly accelerate both IonQ’s quantum networking and quantum computing roadmaps.

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IonQ announces intention to acquire Lightsynq to accelerate company's quantum computing and networking roadmaps

“IonQ’s vision has always been to scale our quantum networks through quantum repeaters, and scale our quantum compute power through photonic interconnects. Today’s announcement of our intention to acquire Lightsynq helps accelerate both roadmaps,” said Niccolo de Masi, CEO of IonQ. “We are pleased to welcome Lightsynq founders Dr. Mihir Bhaskar, Dr. Bart Machielese, Dr. David Levonian and the rest of the Lightsynq team to IonQ. Their groundbreaking technology will accelerate IonQ’s commercial quantum computer delivery to 10,000s and ultimately millions of qubits.”

Lightsynq was founded by former Harvard quantum networking experts and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Center for Quantum Networking leaders, Dr. Mihir Bhaskar (CEO), Dr. Bart Machielse (CTO), and Dr. David Levonian (CPO) with the goal of building the leading photonic interconnect platform to enable high-fidelity, multi-nodal qubit operations. Lightsynq’s approach not only supports modular scalability, but also advances fault-tolerance for creating the world’s most powerful interconnected quantum systems. Lightsynq’s unique architecture provides a powerful platform to support IonQ’s quantum computers and advance the company’s quantum networking roadmap.

“We're excited to work alongside the world-class quantum computing and networking teams at IonQ. Together we intend to move faster than any other player in the industry to deliver data-center-scale quantum computers that can deliver transformative value to customers,” said CEO of Lightsynq, Dr. Mihir Bhaskar. “Our photonic interconnect will integrate with IonQ’s quantum processing units (QPUs) to boost connection speeds and ensure long term market-leading scale and power in quantum computing. Our interconnect will also be critical for IonQ to build the quantum internet, enabling entirely new applications for customers in the financial, telecommunications, aerospace, and defense sectors.”

IonQ will also acquire ownership of Lightsynq’s portfolio of over 20 technology patents and patent applications related to quantum memory, further strengthening IonQ’s growing intellectual property position.

The acquisition of Lightsynq follows IonQ’s recent quantum computing and networking momentum, including the recently announced joint development of a new quantum computing innovation center with EPB in Chattanooga, TN, housing the first quantum computing and networking hub in the U.S. IonQ has also recently acquired Qubitekk and ID Quantique, two leaders in the quantum networking industry, and signed networking contracts with defense and intelligence organizations like the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

Advisor

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is serving as legal counsel to IonQ. Goodwin Procter LLP is serving as legal counsel to Lightsynq.

About IonQ

IonQ, Inc. is a leader in the quantum computing and networking industries, 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 DC 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 repeater 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 “anticipate,” “develop,” “vision,” “intention,” “will,” “accelerate,” “enable,” “eventually,” “goal,” “advance,” “unlock,” “growing,” “ultimately,” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include the anticipated closing of the acquisition; those related to IonQ and Lightsynq’s quantum computing and internet capabilities and plans; IonQ and Lightsynq’s technology driving commercial quantum advantage or delivering scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing in the future; the relevance and utility of quantum algorithms and applications run on IonQ and Lightsynq’s quantum computers; the necessity, effectiveness, and future impacts of IonQ and Lightsynq’s offerings available today; Lightsynq personnel joining IonQ; the ability of Lightsynq’s technology to accelerate the development and scale of IonQ’s systems and offerings; the potential impact of photonic interconnect technology on IonQ and Lightsynq’s systems and offerings; and the scalability, fidelity, efficiency, viability, accessibility, effectiveness, importance, reliability, performance, speed, impact, practicality, feasibility, and commercial-readiness of IonQ and Lightsynq’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 and Lightsynq’s ability to implement their technical roadmap; changes in the competitive industries in which IonQ and Lightsynq operate, including development of competing technologies; IonQ and Lightsynq’s ability to deliver, and customers’ ability to generate, value from IonQ and Lightsynq’s offerings; IonQ and Lightsynq’s ability to deliver higher speed, fidelity gates, and multi-nodal qubit operations with fewer errors, enhance information transfer and network accuracy, or reduce noise and errors; IonQ and Lightsynq’s ability to sell effectively to government entities and large enterprises; changes in laws and regulations affecting IonQ, Lightsynq, and their suppliers’ businesses; IonQ and Lightsynq’s ability to implement their business plans, forecasts, roadmaps and other expectations, to identify and realize partnerships and opportunities, and to engage new and existing customers; IonQ and Lightsynq’s ability to effectively enter new markets; IonQ and Lightsynq’s ability to deliver services and products within currently anticipated timelines; IonQ’s and Lightsynq’s inability to attract and retain key personnel; IonQ’s ability to effectively integrate its acquisitions of Qubitekk, Inc. ID Quantique and Lightsynq’s assets and close its acquisition of Lightsynq; IonQ’s ability to hire and maintain the services of Lightsynq personnel; IonQ and Lightsynq’s customers deciding or declining to extend contracts into new phases; the inability of IonQ and Lightsynq’s suppliers to deliver components that meet expectations timely; changes in U.S. government spending or policy that may affect IonQ and Lightsynq’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 and Lightsynq’s patents; and IonQ and Lightsynq’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 IonQ’s filings, including but not limited to those described in the “Risk Factors” section of IonQ’s most recent periodic financial report (Forms 10-Q or 10-K) filed by IonQ 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.

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