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Australian quantum technology company Archer Materials (ASX: AXE) has confirmed it is on the path to demonstrating a working qubit this year, representing a major milestone in the company's carbon-based quantum chip development program.
The update, issued today on the ASX, outlines Archer's progress in advancing its 12CQ qubit chip beyond laboratory-scale devices toward wafer-scale manufacturing using semiconductor industry-standard processes.
The company has completed multiple device design, fabrication and testing cycles as it works to prove its technology can be produced at scale through existing chip foundry infrastructure.
Archer's 12CQ program is built around a carbon-based qubit architecture designed to operate at room temperature, distinguishing it from competing quantum approaches that require near-absolute-zero cooling.
The company has filed more than 40 patents globally and is pursuing a licensing and partnership commercial model rather than building its own fabrication facilities.
“Our progress towards wafer-scale manufacturing represents an important technical and strategic milestone for Archer," says CEO Dr Simon Ruffell.
"It demonstrates our consistent delivery and our ability to advance toward scalable manufacturing using industry-standard processes.
"Importantly, the technologies and fabrication capabilities being developed through our qubit program may also support broader opportunities across sensing, photonics, AI infrastructure and advanced semiconductor applications."
Ruffell says Archer’s strategy is to develop quantum technologies that can ultimately integrate into scalable manufacturing environments and existing semiconductor supply chains.
"Archer’s track record of achieving its technological milestones gives investors' confidence in our capability to deliver results," he says.
"The foundations we have built position us strongly as we continue developing quantum devices that can integrate within the global semiconductor ecosystem."
The qubit demonstration, if achieved this year, would mark a critical de-risking event for the company, which has operated as a pre-revenue technology developer since pivoting to quantum materials.
Archer held a cash balance of $10.3 million as at 31 December 2025 and received a $2.1 million research and development tax rebate from the Australian Government.
Today's announcement comes as the Australian Government continues to position the country as a force in the global quantum race.
The National Quantum Strategy, published by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, identifies quantum computing, sensing and communications as priority areas for investment and commercialisation, with a focus on translating research strengths into scalable industry outcomes.
Separately, Archer is progressing its Biochip diagnostic program, which completed an alpha prototype capable of measuring blood potassium levels with accuracy within plus or minus 0.3 millimoles per litre - meeting Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments clinical-grade requirements using only 10 microlitres of blood.
The company is now advancing toward a beta prototype, with Stage 2 project discussions progressing with Belgian semiconductor research centre IMEC.
Shares in Archer Materials closed 10per cent higher at 32c each today.
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