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Why we started Elita Genetics: A personal mission to transform pet healthcare
When we found out our dog, Edgar Allan Paws, was predisposed to arthritis, we asked about stem cell banking, and hit a wall. No options in Australia. So we built one. Elita Genetics is Australia’s first stem cell bank for pets, giving every owner access to world-class regenerative care.
Bringing Stem Cell Banking to Australian Pets
In Australia, we love our pets like family, but when it comes to advanced medical care, our options don’t always match that level of devotion. While stem cell therapies are becoming routine in veterinary care in the US and UK, and have been used in racehorses for over two decades-Australian pet owners have been left without access.
At the same time, stem cells in the medical world are making huge waves. In 2024, we saw a woman treated for Type 1 diabetes using her own stem cells and kidney transplants performed without the need for immunosuppressants. But while these advancements are being embraced overseas, our pets are missing out on the same opportunities.
That’s why we started Elita Genetics.
A Personal Problem Turned Mission
Elita Genetics wasn’t born in a lab or boardroom, it started with a simple but frustrating reality. My dog, and Elita’s Chief Morale Officer, Edgar Allan Paws, is predisposed to arthritis. Like any pet owner, I wanted to do everything possible to give him a long, healthy life.
I started researching treatment options and quickly discovered that stem cell therapy was already being used successfully overseas. In places like the US and UK, pets with arthritis, joint injuries, and other conditions were benefiting from the use of their own cells that could reduce pain and improve mobility without the long-term side effects of medications or the need for invasive surgeries. But when I asked every vet we'd see about it, the response was always the same:
“Great idea, but we have no way of doing it.”
That answer stuck with me. It felt wrong that a treatment available elsewhere wasn’t even an option here. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Australian pet owners, and Edgar, deserved better.
I kept digging, and the more I learned, the harder it became to let go. The lack of access wasn’t just frustrating, it was unfair. I realised I couldn’t sit back and wait for someone else to solve it. That’s when my co-founder, Jackson, turned to me and said, “You’ve always wanted to start something. You have the research. Why don’t we do it?”
And from that moment, there was no turning back.
In the months that followed, we threw ourselves into making it happen: building a team, speaking to hundreds of pet owners who felt the same frustration, and laying the groundwork for Australia’s first stem cell banking service for pets. This wasn’t just about starting something new; it was about solving a problem I couldn’t ignore. Because no pet owner should ever have to wonder why their pet doesn’t have access to the best possible care.
Building a Team to Make It Possible
Bringing stem cell banking to Australia isn’t just about having a good idea, it’s about execution, quality, and trust. With Jackson’s technical expertise and my background in building brands, we had a strong foundation, but we knew that to do this right, we needed an absolute dream team.. That meant bringing together the best minds in science, veterinary medicine, and operations to ensure that pet owners in Australia receive a service that is not just available, but world-class.
As for me, I’ve had a long history in building, whether it was running restaurants in Sydney or helping to grow brands in the startup space. That experience, combined with Jackson’s technical expertise, set the foundation for Elita Genetics. But the real power behind what we’re building lies in this team—experts at the top of their fields, all working toward the same goal: making stem cell banking a reality for Australian pets, with the highest level of care and quality.
Thats my promise to you, and to Edgar.
If you’re ready to future-proof your pet’s health, sign up for our stem cell bank today. Have questions? Email us at hello@elitagenetics.com, we’d love to chat.