by Dr Peter JI Ellis, Marie Claire Aquilina & Dhanush Kumar Kollu Babu
Roughly one in seven couples has difficulty conceiving, and around half the time this is due to problems with the sperm – known as “male factor” infertility. Sadly, diagnosis of male fertility issues has lagged far behind that in females, leading to years of heartbreak, wasted money, and women suffering through repeat IVF cycles that ultimately fail. Standard semen analysis provides only limited information about sperm quality. In recent years University of Kent scientists have been working to remedy this by providing a commercial assay diagnosing DNA damage within sperm cells – a critical factor that standard tests cannot detect, linked to reduced fertilisation rates, poor embryo development, increased miscarriage risk, and lower success rates in assisted reproduction.
From Research Vision to Clinical Impact
The journey began when UoK academics Dr Peter Ellis and Professor Darren Griffin secured Eastern Arc funding, in partnership with LogixX Pharma and internal Kent funds, to establish sperm DNA damage testing within England. This investment enabled the recruitment of Dr Marie Claire Aquilina to drive the test development and implement the service. After almost four years, the service officially launched in December 2023 at the University of Kent, creating a sustainable model where revenue generated through clinical testing could be reinvested into male infertility research.
More recently CADDA funding has proved instrumental in supporting the employment of a technical staff member at the University of Kent, Dhanush Kumar Kollu Babu. This was crucial for ensuring smooth service operations while simultaneously exploring innovative expansions, including the development of testing protocols for cryopreserved semen samples. The technical expertise brought by this role helped establish robust quality assurance processes and expand the service’s capabilities, with over 1000 samples analysed to date.
Strategic Migration to London and Future Directions
Recognising logistical challenges associated with sample transportation and the need to maximise accessibility for clinics across the region, the decision was made to relocate the rapidly growing service to London. In October 2025, the sperm DNA fragmentation testing service successfully migrated to Fitzrovia Hospital, significantly improving accessibility for patients and referring clinics throughout the capital and surrounding areas.
Importantly, relocation has not diminished the academic foundation of the service. The partnership between LogixX Andrology Lab at Fitzrovia Hospital and the University of Kent remains strong, ensuring continued research advancement and providing valuable opportunities for students to engage with real-world clinical cases. This exemplifies how clinical services and academic research can work synergistically together – a virtuous cycle enabling not only improved diagnostic access but also continuous improvement and innovation.
Looking ahead, Dr Ellis’ team at the University of Kent team will continue developing advanced diagnostic tests for male infertility in partnership with LogixX Pharma, using revenue generated by the flagship testing service to enhance our understanding of male reproductive health and expand the diagnostic tools available to clinicians and their patients. Our ongoing collaboration demonstrates the transformative impact of strategic funding like CADDA, bridging the gap between academic research and clinical implementation to improve outcomes for couples facing fertility challenges across England.