From Marvejols to Hong Kong: The incredible journey of Dr. Claude Chauchard, pioneer of anti-aging medicine
Anti Age Magazine: Why did you choose anti-aging medicine?
Dr. Claude Chauchard: I come from a small village in Lozère, Marvejols. My father was a photographer, and my mother a homemaker raising three boys. From secondary school onwards, I boarded at Saint-Flour, then Mende. In my village, I met a friend—now Professor—Jacques Bringer, who not only steered me toward medicine but truly changed my life. I initially studied at Toulouse Business School for a year, until friends at the Montpellier Medical Faculty convinced me to join them. That’s where I met Daniel Mirouze, son of a renowned endocrinologist, who supported me through my studies, along with fellow students Serge, Constantin, Robert Guillet, Max Ponseille, etc., still part of my network today. I specialised in “Sport and Nutrition Medicine” (CES), then obtained two endocrinology certificates. I was a hospital associate in nutrition for five years in Montpellier. Working with patients facing severe obesity led me to defend a thesis based on 103 cases, comparing balanced versus unbalanced diets in macronutrient composition. I then specialised in cellulite. Finally, Professor Mirouze introduced me to preventive medicine and sent me to present at a conference in Tunis in front of over a hundred diabetologists.
AAM: And now preventative medicine…
Dr. CC: I read an article by Dr. Moron on nutrition and later met him in Paris. Author of “La Clé du poids”, a global bestseller, he invited me to work with him—infecting me with his “slimming virus.” We treated Romy Schneider, Maria Callas and more. Later, I met Dr. Georges Debled, author of “Au-delà de votre limite, ce ticket est toujours valable”, about the andropause. As I approached my forties, I experienced its effects and learned about male endocrinology and hormone replacement therapy from him. I also met Fabrice Boutain, my digital partner, with whom I continue to work on new ideas using artificial intelligence. Soon afterwards,
I appeared on television and gained recognition in Paris.
AAM: Was Asia where things really took off?
Dr. CC: Yes—an Asian woman introduced me to Wang Shaw Lau, her employer’s daughter. Her father, a media tycoon, was critically ill and said to me in Taiwan: “I’m dying of liver cancer—could you give me two more years so I can put my affairs in order?” I began treatment; a month later, his condition improved and he wanted more. After a few visits, I had twenty patients and opened La Clinique de Paris with local investors. In six months, we launched pre-checkups and programmes tailored for young, middle-aged, and older adults, introducing hormone replacement therapies refined through collaborations with Drs. Thierry Hertoghe, Claude Dalle, and others. After the tycoon passed away, his daughter received $30 million to launch a cancer initiative. With support from Dassault, bioMérieux, Pierre Fabre, AXA, etc., we created Groupe Harmonie—a cancer R&D unit in Palo Alto, a Fashion division (later acquiring Lanvin), and a Preventive Medicine division with $3 million for clinics which I would manage. The first franchise launched in Taipei, then Hong Kong, followed by Tokyo, Shanghai, and across China. We also introduced hormone replacement therapies in Asia—still rare in France, where less than 0.5 % of men use them and the andropause is rarely treated.
AAM: Tell us about the birth of anti-aging medicine.
Dr. CC: In addition to HRT, Professor Nataf taught me about neurotransmitters, oxidation, and bone loss using biological anti-aging tests—this formed the basis of the speciality. The pillars were weight management, health capital, hormone therapy, and microbiota. I have also learned enormously from meeting various celebrities, Yves Simon, François Pinault, the Qatari royal family, and even Jean-Claude Van Damme. I also dissected sheep embryos with Dr. Roux and spent a year in Kiev studying human embryology. Today, these methods are outdated, as we work with stem cells (fat and umbilical tissue), integrated with genetics. I cannot claim to rejuvenate people using via stem cells—unlike with HRT, weight management, microbiota, and preserving the health capital. We regularly attend conferences such as the AMWC (World Anti-Aging Medical Convention). I deeply thank founders Catherine Decuyper and Christophe Luino, who have supported me for over 20 years.
AAM: What about international expansion (Riyadh, Doha)?
Dr. CC: We launched our concept across the Arab world. I put La Clinique de Paris on the stock market and resumed medical leadership of Groupe Harmonie. Now, I’m opening clinics in Romania, Dubai, Beijing, as well as Japan and Kuala Lumpur, in partnership with leading aesthetics groups seeking to add anti-aging to their offerings. I’m continuing my stem cell research within Ingralis (Montpellier Medical Faculty), where I’m President, and with Helena Rubinstein to study skin benefits. I also work with Organips, founded by Prof. Bringer, targeting liver, kidney, and pancreas pathologies, particularly diabetes, in collaboration with Prof. Jean-Marc Lemaitre.
AAM: What do you think about personalised treatments?
Dr. CC: At La Clinique de Paris, we offer four to five tailored programmes—with or without growth hormones. Phase 1 includes a biological and biophysical checkup, followed by a personalised Health Book outlining existing and future issues and care options. We incorporate epigenetics, some genetic tests (e.g. breast cancer prevention), and increasingly use AI in our reports. Our goal is clear: staying healthy to age 120.
AAM: What does the future hold?
Dr. CC: The future lies in breakthroughs: monoclonal antibodies (e.g., melanoma therapy), gene editing, evolving stem cell techniques, new obesity drugs, senolytics, microbiome research, and organ regeneration… The holy grail: to eliminate senescent cells and preserve youthful ones. While a “rejuvenation pill” doesn’t exist yet, major players are investing billions in longevity. I believe the most promising realms are the microbiome and genome.
AAM: What about your personal life?
Dr. CC: My daughter was French dressage champion in her category—I follow her progress with immense pride. My second daughter is an orthodontist. One son founded a cosmetics company, the other works in the pharmaceutical industry. I’m very proud of them—they all work hard and have successful careers. My life is split between Asia—I have lived in Hong Kong for 30 years—and Paris, where, in my medical clinic, I continue consulting and caring for all my patients with the goal of helping them to age more slowly. As for my success, I must credit a remarkable woman I met upon arriving in Taiwan: Cindy Chang. Bright, elegant, dynamic, and multilingual (five languages), she has accompanied me from day one to today. I thank her and the many others who have supported me—success is never an individual feat, but a collective journey that requires loyal companionship. From Marvejols to Hong Kong, through nutrition, hormone therapy, biological testing, stem cell science, microbiota, and AI, my mission remains steadfast: prevent aging, safeguard health capital, and extend healthy life.
In short: science first, always listen, ethics everywhere. Success is never solitary—it stems from a shared vision and collective effort, built together… and we don’t intend to stop yet.
Where to find him?
77 avenue Paul Doumer, Paris, France
More: lcdpi.net
