Intel Agrees to Acquire Quantum Software Firm Classiq

Intel (INTC) announced Monday it has agreed to acquire Classiq, a provider of quantum computing software, in a deal aimed at building an end-to-end quantum platform. The combination pairs Classiq's automated quantum algorithm platform with Intel's silicon spin-qubit manufacturing technology and existing quantum software, a move Intel said could help bring quantum computing into mainstream use. The acquisition would expand Intel's product portfolio to include Quantum Processing Units alongside its existing CPUs, GPUs and ASICs. Intel shares rose 0.45 percent to $90.89 in after-hours trading on the Nasdaq, after closing Monday's session up 4.04 percent at $90.47.