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TFP Fertility: The pioneering path to modern fertility

The incredible story behind 40 + years of ground-breaking fertility treatment and patient care at TFP Fertility.

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Our 40 year journey

Science, research and innovation are key to how we work.

For 40 years, we’ve participated in groundbreaking research and development in fertility treatment, refining our practice and improving techniques, to bring our patients world-class fertility care.

Since our inception in 1979, we’ve had our fair share of world firsts. Through pioneering research and expert-led trials and experiments, we’ve led the way in fertility care, improving the patient experience and revolutionising what is now possible with IVF.

Scientific advancements at TFP Fertility

AT TFP Fertility, our clinical team are at the forefront of scientific advancements to IVF. Professor Richard Fleming of TFP Fertility Glasgow (now retired) was particularly influential in creating modern fertility treatments, leading major progression in non-invasive procedures and opening doors to patients who previously had no fertility options.

His daughter, Jude Fleming, is now the CEO of TFP Fertility.

portrait image of Jude Fleming CEO of TFP Fertility

Pioneering in fertility science

1979

Ultrasound scan revolutionises follicular growth monitoring

Professor Fleming’s team demonstrated how ultrasound scan can be used to identify and measure follicular growth.

1982

GnRH advance leads to stimulated IVF cycles

Professor Fleming’s team demonstrated how to stimulate egg growth, allowing us to retrieve multiple eggs for IVF.

2007

Professor Fleming uses hormone to predict ovarian reserve

This enabled doctors to identify potential fertility issues and understand a patient’s fertility based on the number of eggs.

2008

TFP Group celebrates the first baby born using Pergoveris

Pergoveris is used as a non-invasive stimulate follicle growth for ovulation in patients who do not naturally ovulate.

2013

Time-lapse technology improves embryo grading

TFP Group witnessed the world’s first conception using early embryo viability assessment (EEVA) time-lapse technology.

2020

TFP Fertility is born!

The Fertility Partnership joins forces with clinics in the Netherlands and Poland, creating a pan-European fertility super network with eight UK clinics.

Scientific advancements from 1979

Ultrasound scans in IVF treatment

The TFP Fertility journey began when Professor Fleming’s team demonstrated how ultrasound scan can be used to identify and measure follicular growth of eggs.

This was pivotal for the fertility sector, enabling doctors to replace invasive keyhole surgery for egg retrieval with a simple needle directly into a follicle, directed with ultrasound. This minimised risks to patients and removed surgery recovery.

Through the evolution of technology, ultrasound has become more sophisticated and precise. We now use ultrasound to:

  • Predict how a person may respond to treatment by counting the follicles in their ovaries 

  • Identify underlying issues that may prevent an embryo from implanting

  • Perform embryo transfers with greater precision, ensuring the embryo is transferred safely and quickly

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1982

Stimulating egg growth for collection

Professor Fleming’s team demonstrated that GnRH agonists medication can be used to stop eggs being released into the womb. This enabled us to retrieve multiple egg at once, increasing a person’s chance of IVF success.

Prof Fleming’s research into how to best optimise stimulation protocols became the gold standard internationally for how IVF is performed. This led to developments in the pharmaceutical industry to find drugs that would make IVF easier and safer.  

Response to stimulant medication also allows us to predict how a person will respond to treatment.

Ovarian stimulation injection
2007

Using hormones to predict ovarian reserve

As part of his research at the University of Glasgow, Prof. Fleming demonstrated that the anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), produced by the cells in ovarian follicles, could be used to assess the number of eggs in a patient's ovaries.

This breakthrough gave doctors a better understanding of a patient's fertility and identify potential fertility issues.

This knowledge allows for personalised fertility treatments, significantly improving treatment success rates.

AMH Blood Test
2008

Our first baby born using Pergoveris

Pergoveris is used to stimulate follicle growth for ovulation in patients who do not naturally or regularly ovulate.

Advancements in fertility medicines meant that Pergoveris could be prescribed as a first step in a patient’s fertility journey, offering a less invasive treatment compared to IVF.

This allowed us to support patients who have none or infrequent periods.

Newborn Baby
2013

Using hormones to predict ovarian reserve

TFP Group witnessed the world’s first conception using early embryo viability assessment (EEVA) time-lapse technology.

Time-lapse imaging continuously monitors the embryos, reducing the risk of contamination by avoiding frequent removal from the incubator. Additionally, EEVA uses an algorithm to predict embryo development, enhancing the selection process.

Smiling couple holding a positive pregnancy test, sitting in front of a brick wall.

The EmbryoScope

The EmbryoScope™ is now pivotal in IVF treatment, enabling embryologists to better monitor an embryos development and select the best-quality embryos for transfer thus improving a patient's chance of success.

Embryoscope equipment
2020

The union of TFP Fertility

The Fertility Partnership joins forces with clinics in Poland to create a pan-European fertility super network.

Today, we have eight treatment clinics in the UK, as well as two in Poland.

Our clinics

Find your nearest TFP Fertility clinic

See all clinics
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Belfast, GB

TFP Belfast Fertility

HFEA Rating
5/5
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London, GB

TFP Boston Place Fertility

HFEA Rating
5/5
Three-story office building with large glass windows, brick facade, and surrounding trees, under a partly cloudy sky. Signs read "TFP."
Glasgow, GB

TFP GCRM Fertility

HFEA Rating
5/5
Modern three-story brick building with large glass windows, a tree in front, parked cars, and a distinctive entrance on a sunny day.
Nottingham, GB

TFP Nurture Fertility

HFEA Rating
5/5
Modern building with glass entrance labeled "TFP" and sign for the Institute of Reproductive Sciences, surrounded by grass and a pond.
Oxford, GB

TFP Oxford Fertility

HFEA Rating
5/5
TFP Simply Fertility
Chelmsford, GB

TFP Simply Fertility

HFEA Rating
5/5
Front view of TFP Thames Vallery Fertility, a modern office building with large windows, a sign, and surrounding greenery on a cloudy day.
Maidenhead, GB

TFP Thames Valley Fertility

HFEA Rating
5/5
A single-story brick building labeled "TFP Vision Facility" with large windows, surrounded by a paved area and greenery under a blue sky.
Southampton, GB

TFP Wessex Fertility

HFEA Rating
5/5
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Kraków, PL

TFP Centrum Medyczne Macierzyństwo

Stettin TFP Vitrolive Kinderwunschklinik
Szczecin, PL

TFP Szczecin Vitrolive (Vitrolive)

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