Quantum Technologies

New technologies are unpredictable by nature. We help organisations identify and manage legal, regulatory and commercial risk so innovation can progress with confidence.

Quantum businesses rarely operate alone. We advise on collaborations and strategic partnerships, investment and funding structures, and contractual frameworks that support growth while managing complexity, competition and foreign investment control advice. We also help clients navigate competition considerations, including when collaboration may give rise to anti competitive concerns or dominance risks.

Protecting ideas, technology and know how is critical. We support clients with IP protection and commercialisation, licensing and technology transfer, and advice on data, confidentiality and trade secrets to ensure their innovations are properly safeguarded. This includes advising on IP ownership and protection in collaborative environments and as quantum businesses scale.

As quantum matures, organisations in financial services, life sciences, communications, space and defence and other sectors are beginning to explore adoption. We help businesses prepare for procurement, contracting and governance challenges linked to emerging technologies, including managing emerging physical and cyber security vulnerabilities.

Identifying regulatory risk in quantum technology is critical, even at this early stage. Given the capabilities of quantum systems, a meaningful regulatory framework is likely to emerge, particularly in the EU and the UK. We can help anticipate how this evolving regime may take shape, assess its potential impact on your business, and advise on the most effective way to respond.

CMS supports early stage and scaling quantum businesses through equIP, our startup programme for high growth technology companies. equIP provides practical legal support aligned to each stage of growth, from formation to scale up. The UK Government has also committed significant investment to support the development and commercialisation of quantum technologies. We understand this bespoke funding model well and can assist businesses navigating their way through the application process.

Understanding the quantum ecosystem requires navigating a rapidly evolving and complex landscape involving quantum start-ups, potential customers, suppliers (such as providers of cryogenic systems), investors, scientists, engineers, professionals and government bodies, among others. We are familiar with the key component parts of this ecosystem and can help connect the relevant parties while anticipating and addressing the legal considerations that are likely to arise.