Professor Nigel Patrick Groome
June 2018
2024
Serono meeting on inhibin. Tokushima. Japan 1996
Date of birth: 17th March 1948
Oxford Brookes University award presentation ceremony (2008).
In 1994 at Oxford Brookes University Professor Groome and his team developed the first clinical research inhibin A assay, followed in 1996 by the first inhibin B assay. That year Professor Groome was invited to present this work at the International Inhibin Symposium in Tokushima, Japan, where speakers came from Japan, Australia, the Netherlands, the USA, and the UK. At the time, producing the antibodies required to measure inhibin A and B in human blood had been a major challenge, but the work at Brookes helped make this possible. By then, we were supplying assay materials to many collaborating research groups worldwide, several of whom were represented among the delegates.
In 1998 under the direction of Barry Wheatley from Brookes University a joint venture company Oxford Bio-innovation was set up near Oxford to manufacture and sell inhibin A and B ELISA kits. It was a spin out from Oxford Brookes and a joint venture with Serotec Ltd. Later William Finch took over management and Tony Ertl and Lisa Mynheer continued to manufacture and sell. In 2000, in resolution of a patent dispute with Biotech Australia, who held inhibin patents, OBI was sold to Diagnostic System Laboratories (DSL) for around £1 million. DSL was in turn sold to Beckman Coulter in 2005.
After Diagnostic Systems Laboratory (DSL) acquired the inhibin A antibodies in 2000 the assay was optimised into a conventional ELISA for clinical use by Dr Javad Khosravi, and in 2007 converted by Beckman to a fully automated assay on their Access platform. Oxford Bioinnovation (OBI under DSL) sold the original Brookes inhibin B ELISA until they closed in 2008. In 2010, Beckman launched the Gen II inhibin B assay with a new Brookes capture antibody (46A/F).
The original Brookes inhibin A and B assays enabled the first measurements of inhibin A and B across the human menstrual cycle. In 1994 with Dr Euan Wallace of Edinburgh University, Brookes filed a patent on the use of inhibin A in prenatal screening for Down’s syndrome. Later, with Dr Peter Illingworth and others we measured inhibin B through the menstrual cycle and provided the first evidence that blood inhibin B is the functional regulator of FSH in men. We demonstrated its direct relationship to sperm count.
From 2000-2003 Brookes was a partner in a European grant called “Ovage” with Professor Axel Themmen of Erasmus University Rotterdam. In Oxford, the Brookes team made a monoclonal antibody pair useful in the immunoassay of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) in many species. This pair was initially licensed to Diagnostic System Laboratories (DSL) in 2004 and then transferred to Beckman Coulter in 2005 when they bought DSL. Subsequently, the antibodies were sublicensed to Roche, Siemens and Fujirebio and launched on fully automated platforms alongside the Beckman Gen II AMH ELISA and Beckman Access AMH automated assays. Subsequently. all except the Fujirebio assay gained FDA approval for ovarian reserve testing and the Roche assay got CE marked for the diagnosis of polycystic ovarian disease (PCOS). The Beckman and Roche automated assays were launched in 2014, Fujirebio in 2019 and Siemens in 2024.
A central theme in Professor Groome’s career has been developing antibody-based research and clinical tools, often in collaboration with excellent clinical and commercial groups around the world. These partnerships allowed the impact of the assays to extend into areas of routine clinical practice well beyond his own expertise. It has also been rewarding to train others in antibody production and to see those antibodies become routine tools for research and medical testing. Professor Groome is grateful to all those who aided his work and added impact.
Benjamin Franklin once described humans as “tool-making animals.” In medical science, the availability of tools determines the questions that can be answered. Universities are well placed to create such tools, while commercial organisations are often best able to manufacture and distribute them. Productive partnerships between universities and industry can benefit both, while supporting academic research and publication.
Professor Groome greatly valued his time at Oxford Brookes University (1978-2008). In teaching, research, and the development of intellectual property, the relationship has been mutually beneficial. Royalties from assay products continue to provide long-term income for the University, and it is encouraging to know that many women worldwide have benefitted from inhibin A, B, and AMH tests with the essential antibody IP originating at Brookes. These are used in prenatal screening and fertility investigations. The total number of women tested using Brookes antibodies can be estimated (from sales) to be 100 million or more in total. Oxford Brookes has used some of its income to fund well over 120 – three year PhD studentships advertised and internally known as Nigel Groome PhD studentships.
Professor Groome retired from Oxford Brookes University in April 2008 after thirty years of service, and hopes to remain connected with the University as long he is able to contribute.
Nigel Groome
Emeritus Professor, Oxford Brookes University
HOW TO READ THIS WEB SITE
This website is intended as a record of my career in biomedical research, particularly the development of hormone assays. It is not designed as self-promotion, but as documentation of work that has had practical impact and of the many colleagues, students, organisations and collaborators who made it possible.
Where I describe “firsts” or large numbers of tests, these are factual and based on published papers, patents, or royalties and sales data. I have also included acknowledgements of the many individuals and companies who contributed to the success of this work.
My aim is to provide a clear, accurate summary for students, colleagues, and anyone interested in the history and impact of this research.
If there is any factual inaccuracy or misrepresentation of any facts please let me know by the contact information at the end of the web site.
Nigel Groome
September 2025
Professor Groome talks about his work
Event at Oxford Brookes in 2015 sponsored by the Oxford Biosciences Network (OBN).
MAIN CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF OXFORD BROOKES ANTIBODIES
(WRITTEN BY AI CHATBOT GPT)
1. AMH for Ovarian Reserve
Overall, the reliable automated AMH tests developed by Roche and Beckman Coulter using Professor Groome’s antibodies have revolutionized fertility treatments by providing accurate, actionable insights into ovarian reserve. They help to select women suitable for egg freezing and IVF and help to choose an optimal and safe dose of the hormone used (FSH) to stimulate the ovaries. The Roche Elecsys AMH assay has been CE marked in 2024 for diagnosis of polycystic ovarian disease (PCOS), a major cause of infertility. This has led to more confident, personalized, and optimized fertility care for women worldwide, enhancing their chances of successful conception and pregnancy.
See these videos of worldwide clinical use of AMH tests:
2. Inhibin A, inhibin B, and AMH for Granulosa Cell Cancer
The use of Inhibin A, Inhibin B, and AMH for monitoring recurrence in granulosa cell tumors is of immense importance to individual women. It provides a reliable method for assessing the effectiveness of surgery and early detection of recurrence before symptoms. It enables timely intervention and offers psychological benefits by reducing uncertainty and anxiety. These biomarkers are critical tools in the long-term management and follow-up care of women with this rare type of ovarian cancer.
3. Inhibin A, Inhibin B, and AMH for Intersex Disorders and Puberty Disorders
AMH, Inhibin A, and Inhibin B are essential markers in diagnosing intersex disorders in childhood and detecting abnormal puberty or reproductive development. These biomarkers provide valuable information about gonadal function, helping clinicians diagnose and manage conditions related to sex development and pubertal disorders. Their roles in assessing ovarian reserve, testicular function, and overall reproductive health make them indispensable tools in pediatric endocrinology and reproductive medicine.
4. Inhibin A in Prenatal Screening for Down’s Syndrome
Since the development of the first Inhibin A assay by Professor Groome in 1994 this has played a crucial role in prenatal screening. Its inclusion in the quad test has significantly improved the accuracy and reliability of screening, helping to identify at-risk pregnancies more effectively. Despite the advent of newer screening technologies, Inhibin A remains a key marker in prenatal screening programs globally, underscoring its historical and ongoing importance in maternal-fetal medicine.
5. Inhibin B in Male Reproduction
Since the introduction of the first Inhibin B assay by Professor Nigel Groome in 1996, Inhibin B has become a cornerstone in the study of male fertility. Its role as a marker of Sertoli cell function and spermatogenesis has made it invaluable in diagnosing and managing male infertility. The assay has not only enhanced clinical practice but also driven research and the development of new treatments, significantly impacting the field of male and female reproductive medicine.
Dame Katherine Grainger on Professor Nigel Groome’s research | Oxford Brookes University
Dame Katherine Grainger was Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University from 2015 to 2020. After serving in this role, she became the Chancellor of the University of Glasgow in 2020.
Dame Katherine Grainger’s Olympic medal achievements are remarkable, as she is Britain’s most decorated female Olympian in rowing.
REF2021 Impact Case Studies
The REF is a process of expert review, carried out by expert panels for each of the 34 subject-based units of assessment (UOAs), under the guidance of four main panels. Expert panels are made up of senior academics, international members, and research users.
Oxford Brookes submitted two research impact case studies based on my work.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:
1969 BSc (honours) Birmingham University, Biochemistry
1970 MSc Birmingham University, Virology
1975 PhD London University, Virology
1978 MSc London University, Immunology
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
1970-1978 Lecturer in biochemistry, Bromley College of Technology, Kent
1978-1985 Senior Lecturer, Oxford Polytechnic
1985-1992 Reader, Oxford Polytechnic
1992-2008 Professor of Applied Immunology, Oxford Polytechnic/Oxford Brookes University
2008- Emeritus Professor Brookes University Oxford
2010-2011 Director of Monoclonal antibody laboratory Anshlabs LLC Houston TX
PAST TEACHING ACTIVITY:
Biochemistry, immunology and aspects of microbiology.