IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) and South Korea-based SDT Inc. on Sept. 21 announced a multi-year partnership to deploy a Superion 256 quantum computer and a silicon-vacancy quantum memory module in South Korea, marking the first installation of both systems in the country.
Under the agreement, the Superion 256 system will be deployed with an SDT customer in South Korea, where the two companies plan to collaborate on a hybrid quantum-classical data center. The arrangement expands their prior cloud-based software integration work into physical hardware production, assembly, and regional resale. SDT will assemble and operate IonQ quantum systems and pursue manufacturing of additional quantum components.
SDT plans to establish a quantum manufacturing and system-integration facility in Gumi, South Korea. The site will handle IonQ's silicon-vacancy quantum memory packaging and manufacturing, as well as quantum system assembly, integration and commissioning. Jiwon Yune, CEO of SDT, said the company aims to make the Gumi facility a key operational hub for IonQ's global supply chain and regional deployment.
In a separate project, SDT will work alongside IonQ on a cancer center initiative focused on developing hybrid quantum-classical infrastructure for medical and biomedical research, Yune added.
"Demand for our new Superion 256 system is growing globally, and this agreement in Asia Pacific is yet another example of our clients combining IonQ's leading quantum computers with our quantum networking and quantum memory solutions," said Niccolo de Masi, chairman and CEO of IonQ, which is headquartered in College Park, Md.
IonQ already maintains partnerships in South Korea with KISTI, SK Telecom, Hyundai Motor Company, Seoul National University and Sungkyunkwan University. SDT was named a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer in 2026.
IonQ shares closed at $40.51, up 3.53%, with after-hours trading at $40.60, up 0.22%.
