Medical research groups and academic institutions have been left millions of pounds in the will of an Oxfordshire resident.

Asbjorg Harung, Lady Abraham, formerly of St Anne's Residential Home, Clifton, near Deddington, has left an estate worth £10.4m.

Solicitors are still finalising the precise figures involved in the legacy, but groups in line to receive substantial sums include Oxford University, Lincoln College, Oxford, biochemistry researchers supported by the EPA Cephalosporin Fund and the Edward Penley Abraham Research Fund; Sir Michael Sobell House Hospice, Oxford; King Edward VI School, Southampton, and the Royal Society.

Lady Abraham, who died last May, was the Norwegian wife of Sir Edward Abraham, the Oxford scientist who helped develop the drug penicillin.

Sir Edward was Professor of Chemical Pathology at Oxford between 1964-80.

His study of penicillin led to the development of a new class of antibiotics.

By registering patents, he generated a regular income for biomedical research.

It is estimated that his funds provided more than £30m during his lifetime for university projects.

Shortly before he died in 1999, he gave £5.4m for a new building at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, in South Parks Road, Oxford.

Mr Mike Smithson, director of development at Oxford University, said Lady Abraham's legacy would enable important research to continue.

He said: "We are absolutely delighted. It is particularly pleasing that the money is coming from the wife of a former prominent academic at Oxford."

Andrew Ryde, fundraising manager for Sobell House Hospice, said Lady Abraham had been "extremely generous".

He added: "Legacies are an extremely important part of Sobell House's income.

"This gift will help ensure the continued service for the people of Oxfordshire."