Urban Drone Pioneer Matternet Makes UK Debut as Apian Scales Medical Logistics Across London Hospital
UK healthcare logistics startup Apian recently announced their newest partner for the NHS drone delivery network in London, American drone delivery company Matternet. Making its operational debut in the UK, Matternet specializes in urban drone delivery, carrying lab samples, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies in Switzerland since 2017 and in the United States since 2019.
Building on the success of Apian’s existing service at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals with Wing, the program has demonstrated how on-demand drone delivery enables improved clinical productivity, cost savings and CO2 emission reductions. The expansion adds additional routes and doubles down on NHS pathology networks, including centralized hubs like Synlab Blackfriars, helping process tens of millions of tests each month.
Apian also plans for autonomous ground delivery robots, designed to automate the final ‘last yard’ of hospital logistics. The robots will enable hands-free transport of samples and supplies directly between delivery drones and clinical teams, reducing delays and freeing up staff. Apian is working with Great Ormond Street Hospital to scope the integration of this technology alongside its drone operations.
Apian showcased their transformative autonomous drones and delivery robots at a Downing Street reception during London Tech Week, highlighting the UK Government’s support for this kind of critical innovation to support the NHS. Apian highlighted their close collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as well as NATS, the air traffic management service, to ensure the safety of drone operations.
Professor Ian Abbs, CEO of Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “The drone trial has been an innovative way to help us care for our most vulnerable patients by speeding up test results, and doing this in a way which is sustainable. We are looking forward to working with Apian on the next phase which will expand the benefits to more of our staff and patients.”
Matternet CEO, Andreas Raptopoulos said: “We’re excited to announce our partnership with Apian and to operate in the UK for the first time. As a leader in medical drone delivery, we are well positioned to support the NHS in delivering faster, smarter and more equitable care for patients across the UK. On a personal level, this has extra meaning as my children were born in NHS hospitals.”
Apian Co-Founder and CEO, Alexander Trewby said: “From 5,000 patient samples delivered at Guy’s and St Thomas’, to quadruped robots at GOSH – we’re building intelligent infrastructure that quietly transforms care. Our new partner Matternet brings choice and scale, helping us create logistics that work invisibly in the background and freeing up clinical teams to focus on the patients who need it most.”
More information about Apian is available here. More information about Matternet is available here.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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