.svg)
.svg)
More good years.
Your dog’s body already holds the key to healing. By storing their healthiest cells during a routine procedure, you give them the best shot at recovering from illness or injury, using their own biology, not harsh drugs or invasive surgeries. It’s a small step now, for more good years together.
Elita Puppy Banking
Our core product is currently available for pre-desexed puppies, as we collect a small fat tissue sample during their routine desexing procedure, avoiding the need for an extra surgery.
*Note: We’re actively working on R&D to enable less invasive sample collection, which will soon allow us to support pups who’ve already been desexed. And for our feline friends, we’re excited to open our services to kittens in 2025.
One step today, more years by your side.
Treating arthritis today, unlocking tomorrow’s potential
Stem cells are already being used to help with osteoarthritis and joint pain, which affect 1 in 5 dogs, especially larger breeds. By storing your pet’s cells, you’re giving them access to better solutions today and paving the way for future breakthroughs in care.
As easy as adding
to their desexing
Stem Cell collection during your pet's routine desexing is simple, an opportunity to store their cells at their healthiest with minimal effort. While we’re developing options for post-desexed pets, this is a convenient chance to secure their health today.
Your pet's perfect match
We collect fat tissue from your pet to isolate their own powerful stem cells. These cells are already being used globally to treat joint issues, osteoarthritis, and support wound healing. Research is also underway to explore their potential in treating conditions like kidney disease, heart disease, and more.
Preventative health management
By storing your pet’s stem cells, you’re empowering your veterinarian with more treatment options when health issues arise. Instead of waiting for last-resort surgeries or drugs, your vet can act sooner and has the option to utilise global advancements to provide the best care.
Global breakthroughs, in your hands
Right now, stem cell research is driving incredible advancements in treatments worldwide, with more companies than ever investing in innovation. By storing your pet's cells, you’re not only securing their future, you’re joining a community shaping the future of life-changing treatments for pets everywhere.
*Note: Currently, we only support pre-desexed puppies.
Keeping pets healthy while empowering vets with advanced care options
"Having seen the effects of stem cell therapy overseas, I am delighted to finally have access to this revolutionary therapy in Australia. As veterinary care for pets progresses, we need more options for managing chronic disease like osteoarthritis, and stem cell therapy is a great option for older patients with comorbidities where traditional approaches may not be ideal."
"Having seen the effects of stem cell therapy overseas, I am delighted to finally have access to this revolutionary therapy in Australia. As veterinary care for pets progresses, we need more options for managing chronic disease like osteoarthritis, and stem cell therapy is a great option for older patients with comorbidities where traditional approaches may not be ideal."
FAQs
How is Elita different from available stem cells in AU?
.svg)
In Australia, most stem cell treatments still rely on allogeneic cells, donor cells from other animals. These come with risks: higher rejection rates, unclear origins, limited health data, and poor characterisation. In contrast, autologous cells, your pet’s own, are a perfect match. When you bank with Elita Genetics, we guarantee your pet’s own cells are stored and used. We also ensure full sterility and strict quality assurance for every sample.
What happens if I need to move or change vets?
If you move within one of our serviceable areas, no problem , just let us know who your new vet is and we’ll coordinate with them. If you move to a non-serviceable area, we’ll still do our best to support you, though delivery fees may apply. At this stage, we’re not able to ship samples outside of Australia.
Why is it only pre-desexed puppies?
Right now, the best time to store your pet’s cells is while they’re young and already going under anaesthesia, like during desexing. It’s a simple, low-impact moment to collect their healthiest biology, locking in their potential for future care. But this won’t be limited to pre-desexed puppies for long. We’re opening up to more pets undergoing routine procedures very soon, so if your dog has a surgery coming up, make sure you sign up to be first in line.
Cat retrievals and kitten access are coming, sign up now to stay in the loop (and show us we should move faster on this!).
Will future treatments target cancer?
Stem cells show potential for a broader range of conditions, including some cancers, but research in these areas is still in its early stages and far from being standard practice. By storing your pet’s cells now, you’re preserving the possibility of accessing these advancements if and when they become available. We’ll keep you updated on credible studies and breakthroughs, so you can make informed decisions about your pet’s healthcare without unrealistic expectations.
What if my vet isn't supportive?
Reach out to us, and we can recommend vets across Australia who are leading the way in pet healthcare innovation. Alternatively, feel free to share our website with your vet, where they can learn more about recent advancements in stem cell therapy.
Will my vet charge me for the retrieval?
The cost of the retrieval is set by your vet. Just like any procedure, prices can vary depending on the clinic, location, and your pet’s needs. Elita Genetics takes care of the stem cell banking, but the surgical costs are managed directly by your vet. The retrieval itself is a quick addition to the planned procedure and shouldn't add much time to your pet’s surgery.
Is this different from overseas stem cell services?
Elita Genetics is Australia’s first stem cell bank dedicated to pets. We've built the company working alongside local vets to ensure treatments align with Australian veterinary standards, bringing the latest advancements in regenerative medicine right to your doorstep.
What’s involved in the cell retrieval process?
Our process aligns with your pet's routine desexing procedure, during which a fat sample, with the size determined by your vet (typically 10–30g), is collected under general anaesthetic. This ensures that no additional surgeries are required, providing a minimally invasive way to create a cell bank for your pet's future.
What can stem cells actually be used for?
Currently, stem cell treatments are primarily used for joint and osteoarthritis cases, particularly in large dog breeds prone to joint issues. These treatments address the underlying cause rather than just managing symptoms, often reducing the need for surgery. Globally, stem cells are also being explored for conditions like kidney and cardiovascular diseases, showing promising results. Your vet can assess whether stem cell treatment could benefit your pet and collaborate with us to access the appropriate options.
What if I fall behind on my monthly payments?
If you’re having difficulty with payments, we’ll work with you to explore options, like freezing your subscription temporarily up to a cap or helping you catch up. If you decide to discontinue your subscription or if your pet passes on, your pet's cells can be donated to our R&D program to support advancements in pet healthcare globally.
Understanding Stem Cell Banking
What are stem cells and how do they work therapeutically?
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of developing into specialised cell types with regenerative properties. In veterinary medicine, they work by modulating inflammation, promoting tissue repair, and secreting growth factors that stimulate healing in damaged tissues.
Do you have any articles or papers I can read to learn more?
Dr Jade Jaffar, Founding Scientist at Elita Genetics, together with her scientific team is constantly putting together relevant published in journals from around the world. You can find links to the full peer-reviewed articles summarised and linked here.
What kind of stem cells do you bank?
We bank mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from adipose tissue collected during the routine desexing procedure. These have shown the most promising results for treating conditions like osteoarthritis in dogs.
What do you do with the stem cells?
Once we receive the adipose tissue sample, our scientific team processes it in our laboratory in Melbourne. The sample is processed to extract the stem cells, which are then cryopreserved and stored in our secure laboratory until they are required for use at a later date.
What happens to the stem cells long term?
We will stay in touch with our mutual patients biannually to keep them across any relevant updates, including any new applications of stem cell therapy that might be suitable for their pet. For example, we currently see the most efficacious response to stem cell therapy in osteoarthritic patients, but on the horizon, we are looking at their use in dermatological conditions, kidney disease and neurodegenerative diseases. We turn to you as their primary veterinarian for any work up and diagnostics, and would be delighted to help you when deciding if stem cell therapy may be warranted.
Are the samples collected used for research?
With the owner’s consent, a small portion of each sample is used for research and development, but we guarantee every customer will receive 10 vials of their own cells. The cells used for R&D are taken from a small amount of the sample and can be ‘passaged’-a process that allows us to grow more cells from the original collection. This ensures the full 10-vial guarantee is always met.
How long do you store the cells for?
Once the fat sample reaches our lab, we begin processing immediately. The majority of collected samples are cryopreserved within the first 24 hours. A smaller portion of extracted mesenchymal stem cells undergoes expansion in culture to grow a larger, therapeutic-ready population. This full process takes around two weeks and includes viability and quality checks.After that, the cells are stored long-term, for the life of the pet or until a sample is requested.
Clinical FAQs
How do I perform the retrieval procedure?
A small amount of adipose tissue (approximately 10g, a little less than a golf ball), during routine desexing, as well as a blood draw.
Adipose tissue from near the umbilicus is the most readily accessible and and yields the best results. For females, the midline incision may need to be extended cranially by 1cm to accomodate this, with tissue taken from inside the abdominal cavity. For males, a small secondary incision closer to the umbilicus may be required, and the tissue retrieved from a subcutaneous deposit over the linea alba.
Elita Genetics will work with you to deliver a cold chain transport kit prior to the surgery with all the blood tubes and specimen pots required. A courier will then collect the kit and transport it directly to our secure laboratory for processing and long term cryopreservation as soon as the tissue is retrieved.
How long does the procedure take?
The stem cell retrieval procedure should only add a short time to your routine desexing procedure, plus a blood draw.
The blood draw can be performed at the same time as pre-anaesthetic bloods if you are taking them, or intraoperatively.
The required sample of adipose tissue is 10g, a bit smaller than a golf ball. For females, the midline incision may need to be extended slightly, and for males, a small secondary incision closer to the umbilicus may be required. In our experience, any extra time is usually related to the closure of the surgical site, and is generally only one or two extra sutures depending on your preferred technique.
We also minimise any administration time by pre-filling any paperwork and arranging all courier logistics.
What are the age and health requirements?
Banking cells when the animal is younger ensures higher quality, more robust stem cells. Cells from younger pets typically have greater proliferative capacity and therapeutic potential. For this reason, we recommend retrieving cells during your patient’s routine desexing procedure which in most cases is also the first time they undergo a general anaesthetic.
Together with our ethics committee (WSIAEC), we’ve agreed that patients should be at least 10kg to ensure it’s safe and comfortable to collect the 10g of fat tissue required.
Do I charge for the retrieval procedure?
How you charge for the retrieval in addition to the desexing costs is entirely up to you and your business model. Costs for the same surgery vary significantly between clinics based on location, patient particulars and your surgical team, so we don’t dictate a cost. For your reference, it should only add a few minutes to your surgical time.
What equipment is needed?
You will be provided with everything you need beyond your normal surgical instruments. This includes blood tubes and specimen pots, as well as all packaging materials to securely prepare the samples for transportation. A courier will deliver these materials before the retrieval procedure and be pre-booked to collect the samples at the time you advise post-operatively.
What’s the difference to the stem cell treatments I currently have access to?
In Australia, most stem cell treatments still rely on allogeneic cells, donor cells from other animals. These come with risks: higher rejection rates, unclear origins, limited health data, and poor characterisation. In contrast, autologous cells, your pet’s own, are a perfect match. When you bank with Elita Genetics, we guarantee your pet’s own cells are stored and used. We also ensure full sterility and strict quality assurance for every sample.
Are there any specific aftercare requirements?
Currently, stem cell retrieval happens during routine desexing so no extra aftercare beyond the standard post-op protocols including wound care and analgesia are required. We recommend reiterating to clients the importance of keeping the surgical site clean and dry, using an e-collar or other device to prevent licking, keeping the patient quiet and rested, and analgesia as required.
Do I need to use any particular anaesthesia or analgesia?
You can use your preferred pre-med, anaesthesia and post-op analgesia protocols, they won’t impact the viability of the sample.
Is the procedure safe?
The collection carries the same risks as any routine lump or bump removal performed under general anaesthetic. Aftercare is simple and follows standard guidelines for a small incision.
We believe that every decision should prioritise patient safety. If the veterinarian has any concerns during the procedure due to anaesthetic or surgical complications, we fully support their professional judgement to defer stem cell retrieval. The pet’s safety always comes first.
Stem cell collection and banking has been offered in the US and UK for over 10 years. Just look at Stem Cell Vet UK, Gallant, and Ardent Animal Health in the US, it's well-established and growing fast.
What next? What happens if my patient gets sick?
Once you decide that stem cell therapy is appropriate and the owner agrees, it’s simple. The licensed veterinarian just needs to request the sample, and we’ll organise delivery to your clinic.
We’re also committed to keeping vets in our network up to date with global developments. We regularly synthesise new research into clear, digestible updates, with links to peer-reviewed studies and clinical data, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
What patient makes a good candidate?
The younger the stem cells are when they are banked, the greater their proliferative capacity and therapeutic potential. For this reason, we recommend retrieving cells during a patient’s routine desexing procedure, which in most cases is also the first time they undergo a general anaesthetic. Larger dog breeds are especially strong candidates. There's a growing global body of evidence supporting the use of stem cells for osteoarthritis in both human and veterinary medicine. Since many large breeds are genetically predisposed to conditions like arthritis, hip and elbow dysplasia, storing their cells early offers a powerful safeguard for their future health.
Our biobank is governed by WSIAEC, and they have stipulated patients should be over 10kg.
Current global data in stem cell therapy has shown remarkable results in patients with joint issues, and the list is constantly growing. Owners with a puppy predisposed towards these conditions will really benefit from learning about stem cell banking early in their dog’s life.
What conditions can stem cells help with?
Current evidence most strongly supports stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis and joint injuries. There's also emerging evidence for treating inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, and certain neurological conditions, though these applications are still developing.
Can I stay in the loop, even if I don’t have any suitable patients right now?
Absolutely. Stem cell therapy is evolving fast. Join our Veterinary Network to receive updates on global research, peer-reviewed studies, and our own R&D progress, all in one place.
Getting Started & What to Expect
How do I know I can trust you?
We’re backed by institutional Australian venture capital investors who specialise in identifying high-potential businesses. Their backing came after a thorough due diligence process, these are professionals who don’t invest lightly.
We hold a research licence via DECCA and are governed by an independent ethics board through WSIAEC, ensuring all research and procedures meet strict ethical and scientific standards.
Our founding scientist, Dr Jade Jaffar, has a PhD in medicine and over 20 years of experience in primary tissue processing. She’s built three biobanks, two in Australia and one in the US. Her most recent was at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. From day one, we’ve applied the rigour of human medicine to everything we do.
Our Head Veterinarian, Dr Caitlin Blake-Lane, brings two decades of veterinary experience across the Australia and the UK, along with startup experience from her time at Lyka.
We started Elita Genetics not just as founders, but as dog owners. After nearly flying our own dog overseas to store his cells, we decided it was time Australia had access to this service.
Jackson Gritching founder & Chief Technology Officer, a biomedical and systems engineer, with a background in advanced manufacturing processes, and more recently worked on biological computing platform, leverage neuronal cultures derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells.
Our CEO, Paloma Newton, has a background in startups, commercial strategy, and marketing. She’s built ventures across hospitality, launched not-for-profits, and worked in VC; she knows what it takes to build a successful, sustainable business.
We’ve brought this team together to build the most robust, thoughtful, and future-focused stem cell banking service for pet owners and vets alike.
How do I integrate this service into my practice?
We suggest discussing stem cell banking with new puppy (and soon, kitten) owners early in your relationship, particularly around the time you discuss desexing, especially for breeds prone to osteoarthritis or joint issues. If you'd like brochures for your practice, email us at vets@elitagenetics.com and we’ll send you a pack.
Stem cell banking is a long term relationship, and increases the likelihood of the client bonding strongly to you and your practice. As a newer treatment option, it also demonstrates your commitment to innovative medicine and positions your clinic as a forward-thinking practice. Clients who invest in stem cell banking tend to be more loyal, maintaining consistent wellness visits and seeking your expertise for all their pet's needs—creating that 'stickier' client relationship that benefits both your practice and patients.
What happens to the cells if the patient doesn’t need their stem cells or dies?
In the unfortunate event that a pet passes away or is euthanised, we will work with the owner to make an informed decision about their pet’s stored cells.
There are two options: the cells can be donated to our research program to support peer-reviewed studies and clinical trials that may help other animals in the future, or they can be securely discarded.
We understand this is a deeply difficult time. Our goal isn’t to add to the burden but to offer a meaningful choice, one that could contribute to improving veterinary care for others down the track.
We’ll be in regular contact with pet owners to keep their details up to date, giving them the opportunity to let us know if their circumstances change.
Can you guarantee you will get a bankable sample each time?
As with anything biological, there are no absolute guarantees, but our processes are designed to maximise success. To date, we haven’t had a failed collection.
If a sample isn’t viable, we’ll work directly with the owner to either issue a full refund or arrange another collection at their pet’s next procedure under anaesthesia, free of charge.
We believe that every decision should prioritise patient safety. If the practising veterinarian decides to abort the collection due to anaesthetic or surgical complications, we fully support their professional judgement. The pet’s safety always comes first.
