THU AM News: Wisconsin startups, researchers achieving breakthroughs in quantum computing; Building Commission approves sale of former DHS building in Madison

May 14, 2026

— Quantum computing technologies in Wisconsin are leading to improved mining and biotech sensors, the ability to crack encrypted systems and promising job growth prospects.

“We are making breakthroughs in these technologies in Wisconsin … many of those have led to commercialization,” Wisconsin Technology Council President Maggie Brickerman said yesterday. “So the goal of this, of course, is to impact the world, and one way to do that is getting technologies out of the labs and into companies.”

She spoke during Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce’s American Economic Interest Summit, held yesterday in Brookfield. The Tech Council is officially launching the Wisconsin Quantum Alliance on June 10, in an effort to marshall resources and expertise around this topic.

Yesterday’s event featured insights from UW-Madison researchers exploring quantum computing, which involves using the fundamental properties of incredibly small particles such as an electron or atom to perform advanced calculations.

One key difference from classical computing is that quantum computing uses base units called qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously. While traditional computing bits can exist as either 0 or 1, a qubit — or quantum bit — can be either or both at the same time.

This “magical” property enables quantum computing to operate in ways that classical computers can’t, UW-Madison Prof. Matthew Otten explained yesterday. That includes breaking certain forms of encryption that ordinary computers “have no hope” of getting through, he said.

“So a quantum computer … could decrypt things from my personal bank records, which perhaps nobody cares about, but also nuclear launch codes,” Otten said.

Along with those defense considerations, the technology also presents broader opportunities for developing anti-corrosive coatings, he said, noting a quantum computer can model and simulate the process of corrosion much more effectively than traditional computers. Breakthroughs in this area could extend the useful lifetime of infrastructure, vehicles and much more, potentially saving billions of dollars per year.

At the same time, quantum computers could unlock discoveries in chemistry to more efficiently produce fertilizers, produce renewable fuels and more, Otten noted.

Prof. Jennifer Choy, who researches quantum sensing in the university’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, explained atomic particles’ sensitivity to their environment enable precise measurements of magnetic fields and gravity.

This capability has wide-ranging applications, she explained, as quantum sensors could offer alternative options for navigation, remote sensing underground for mining, precision agriculture and even measuring changes at the neuron level within the brain without an invasive procedure.

“Because quantum sensors are based on very, very small sensing objects … we can actually now begin to study biological processes on the atomic level,” she said.

Choy is the founding scientific advisor for Dirac Labs, a spin-off company from UW-Madison that’s developing quantum sensors for navigation purposes.

Brickerman referenced growing entrepreneurial activity around quantum computing in the state, pointing to “an inflection point” for the technology as federal dollars are being funneled into this field. She said it’s currently flowing to states like Illinois, Maryland and Colorado, but added Wisconsin has “all of these components” needed to compete for the opportunity presented by quantum computing.

Meanwhile, studies show the Midwest could have 200,000 new jobs linked to the “quantum economy” by 2035, Brickerman noted.

“What is the overlap between this technology area and other emerging technology areas, so we think about AI, we think about the fusion opportunity that Wisconsin has … where do the Venn diagrams overlap so that we can make sure that we’re not missing this opportunity?” she said.

— The State Building Commission has voted to OK the sale of 1 West Wilson Street, which previously housed the Department of Health Services headquarters, sending the request to the Joint Finance Committee for approval.

The purchase would pave the way for the 1931-era building to serve as an Amtrak station, part of an effort to bring passenger rail to Madison by 2030.

The commission yesterday approved by voice vote a $10 million bid from Madison-based Landmark Development, below the $16.4 million appraised value. Landmark Development has said its plan for the building “reimagines the opportunity to create a multi-model transit hub.”

Rep. Robert Wittke, R-Caledonia, was the only audible vote against the proposal, saying he still has questions about the sale. One of the issues he cited was the offer being below the appraisals that ranged between $16 million and $20 million for 1 West Wilson Street.

Wittke said he couldn’t vote yes to selling a building for about half those amounts.

“Whether there are things that the buyer has to do or not, they knew that when they did their bid. I just can’t support it, so I’ll be voting no,” Wittke said.

Gov. Tony Evers’ administration has argued the sale is a “measured, strategic decision that reduces long-term costs, strengthens the State’s financial position, and supports responsible stewardship of public assets.” The proposal to sell the building also noted doing so would help avoid an estimated $194 million to $250 million in modernization costs and higher debt service payments for the state.

Sen. André Jacque, R-New Franken, noted he had also initially had reservations but would support the sale. He said he could have gotten on board earlier if he had gotten more information sooner. He noted he also shared the concern that the offer was below appraisal value, though he noted other bids were lower.

— GenoPalate, a Milwaukee-based personal nutrition company, is adding telehealth services to its weight loss medication program through a partnership with Eden in Colorado.

The companies yesterday announced the strategic partnership, through which GenoPalate members will get access to Eden’s telehealth service to determine if GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic are a good fit.

At the same time, members of Eden’s platform will be able to join GenoPalate’s “Thrive on GLP-1” four-month wellness program that includes nutrition guidance tailored to the client’s biology and lifestyle.

Dr. Asif Naseem, CEO of GenoPalate, says GLP-1 care is “entering its next chapter” as both companies are seeing rising demand from members for support with these medications. That includes how to manage nutrition with a reduced appetite due to the treatment, dealing with side effects, protecting muscle and more.

“People need to understand what their body requires, how to nourish themselves with a reduced appetite, how to manage changes along the way, and how to build habits that support lifelong wellness,” Naseem said in a statement.

A spokesperson for GenoPalate said the partnership has been formalized but declined to disclose specific financial terms. In addition to expanding access to each company’s core services, the partnership aims to create “a more complete care experience” for anyone taking or considering GLP-1 medications.

“That includes helping members better understand how prescription medication, personalized nutrition, biomarker insights, coaching, and long-term habit formation can work together as part of a more comprehensive approach to weight management,” the spokesperson wrote in an email.

Looking ahead, the partnership is expected to expand over time as GenoPalate is currently exploring in-club nutrition experiences within Eden Health Clubs, another brand under Eden Health International Inc.

Meanwhile, the companies are developing support programs for people on other prescription medications, including hormone replacement therapy for women.

“Future efforts include deeper program integration, joint member education and webinars, co-developed social media content, and additional support resources,” the spokesperson said.

See the release.

— Drug overdose deaths in Wisconsin dropped nearly 17% in 2025, the latest CDC figures show.

The provisional estimates from the federal agency’s National Center for Health Statistics show Wisconsin had 976 drug overdose deaths in 2025, marking a decline of 16.79% from the prior year’s total of 1,173.

This continues a multi-year trend of falling overdose deaths in the state, which health officials attribute to greater availability of drug testing resources, overdose reversal medications, providing more resources to the hardest-hit communities and other strategies.

Annual overdose death totals for Wisconsin have dropped from recent highs of 1,772 in 2021, 1,817 in 2022 and 1,744 in 2023, earlier CDC figures show.

At the national level, overdose deaths have followed a similar pattern, with a total of 69,973 estimated for 2025. That’s down from 81,313 in the prior year.

See the CDC figures here.

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