IonQ, a leading American quantum computing company, has announced its acquisition of UK-based Oxford Ionics in a transformative deal valued at $1.075 billion. The agreement, revealed on June 9, 2025, marks one of the largest technology acquisitions in the UK in recent years and signals a major leap forward in the global race to commercialize quantum computing.
The transaction, structured as $1.065 billion in IonQ common stock and $10 million in cash, will combine two of the world’s most innovative players in trapped-ion quantum technology. Oxford Ionics, founded in 2019 as a spin-out from the University of Oxford, has pioneered ion-trap quantum processors that leverage standard semiconductor chip manufacturing.
This breakthrough enables scalable, high-fidelity quantum systems that can be produced using existing silicon fabrication techniques, a critical step toward making quantum computers practical for real-world applications.
By integrating Oxford Ionics’ chip-based trapped-ion technology with IonQ’s established quantum hardware, software, and networking stack, the merged company aims to accelerate the development of powerful, reliable quantum computers.
The roadmap is ambitious: the combined entity targets systems with 256 physical qubits at 99.99% fidelity by 2026, scaling to more than 10,000 qubits by 2027, and ultimately reaching 2 million physical qubits by 2030. Achieving these milestones would represent a seismic shift in computational capabilities, potentially unlocking applications in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, and defense that are beyond the reach of classical computers.
The acquisition also strengthens IonQ’s presence in Europe, expanding its research and development footprint and deepening ties with UK institutions and government initiatives. Oxford Ionics’ founders, Dr. Chris Ballance and Dr. Tom Harty, will remain with the company, ensuring continuity in technological leadership and ongoing collaboration with the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre.
This deal comes amid a surge of interest in quantum computing, as recent advances from technology giants have highlighted the sector’s potential. Industry analysts project that quantum computing could generate up to $850 billion in global economic value by 2040, and IonQ’s strategic move positions it at the forefront of this rapidly evolving market.
IonQ’s CEO, Niccolo de Masi, emphasized the significance of the acquisition, stating that the combined technologies will set a new standard in quantum computing and deliver superior value for customers through market-leading enterprise applications.
As the quantum era accelerates, this acquisition underscores IonQ’s commitment to driving real-world impact and pioneering breakthroughs that could redefine the boundaries of computation.
