In the pursuit of discoveries to change the world, sometimes the greatest inspiration can be found right around the corner.

For us, that inspiration comes from the courage and unbreakable faith of Matt and Karen Van Schouwen and their young daughter, Kyra.

Matt and Karen have reveled in the joys of parenthood – and felt the anguish, uncertainty and concern that few others ever know.  Kyra was born with cystic fibrosis, a debilitating and life-threatening disorder that all too often leads to severe lung damage, respiratory failure and death.  The expected life-span of a person diagnosed with cystic fibrosis today is about 35.

Recognizing the journey ahead will be filled with challenges and dangers, the young Sioux Center, Iowa couple knows it will take extraordinary measures for Kyra to live an ordinary, care-free life.  Their desire if for Kyra’s life to be highlighted with dances, graduations and a someday a proud father walking his daughter down the church aisle on her wedding day.  At Exemplar Genetics our hope is to assist in the discovery of means and help those wonderful memories happen.

Our technology, services, products, energy and intellectual property are all geared to enable world-class researchers to discover the paths to new and effective treatments and cures – and give new hope to families like the Van Schouwens.

Before Exemplar Genetics was founded, cystic fibrosis researchers were largely forced to rely on laboratory mice to conduct their research. Unfortunately, those mice have offered limited research value – and they always will – because their genetic differences with humans are substantial.

Today, Exemplar Genetics capitalizes on the amazing anatomical, physiologic, biochemical and histological similarities between pigs and humans as well as expertise in specific gene modification to deliver a reliable model of human disease. Academic scientists, disease foundations, pharmaceutical companies and others in search of solutions to debilitating diseases now have a resource available nowhere else.

At Exemplar Genetics, Matt, Karen and Kyra provide inspiration.  With courage like that so close to our home and hearts, we couldn’t give anything less than our very best.