Expansion is on the horizon for Swiss medical wellness brand Clinique La Prairie (CLP) according to an exclusive interview with CEO Simone Gibertoni in the latest issue of Spa Business.

Founded in 1931 by professor Paul Niehans, CLP focuses on four pillars – medical insight, wellness, nutrition and movement. Its method involves DNA testing to customise programmes, as well as the use of its famous CLP Extract, Cellular Genomic supplements and Holistic Health supplements.

Now approaching its centenary, CLP is entering a new chapter focused on global expansion and innovation.

With a flagship resort in Montreux, Switzerland, the brand has been gradually rolling out city-based satellite sites – known as Longevity Hubs – since 2020.

The urban outposts have opened in Madrid, Bangkok, Doha, Taipei and most recently, Dubai, at the newly-launched One&Only One Za’abeel.

“The long-term plan is to reach about 40 Longevity Hubs and 10 Health Resorts, while always maintaining exclusivity and reinforcing that the flagship property in Montreux is the pinnacle of our portfolio,” said Gibertoni.

“Our debut Health Resort will launch in Anji, China, in 2024, followed by another in Amaala, the wellness-focused Saudi giga project, in 2025.

“Health Resorts are big projects, as you can imagine. In Anji, for example, it’s a 1.3-hectare site which offers 29 rooms and suites spread over seven villas. On top of this, there’s a core building that houses the medical, wellness, movement and nutrition departments.

“It takes years to grow such properties from the first exchange to being able to announce and open them and we’re very selective in the destinations and their exclusivity.

“Over the past five years, we’ve engaged in active discussions with several partners across several countries about creating Health Resorts with us. The Anji project was the first to emerge as the perfect location to meet all our criteria but it also reflects the demand from our Asian clients.”

Gibertoni revealed that the US is the next territory in CLP’s sights.

Why is now the right time to expand?

“Chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s are on the rise and our Longevity Hubs help people prioritise preventative medicine and early detection,” Gibertoni stated.

“They offer a first-access approach to CLP services such as health assessments, cryotherapy, far-infrared light, nutraceuticals, IV drips and brain stimulation. Plus, they allow our international clients to continue their journey closer to home, enabling them to regularly engage with our experts and build healthy routines.”

Meanwhile, the Health Resorts will bridge the gap between the Longevity Hubs and the Montreux HQ.

“Set in stunning locations, these highly exclusive resort destinations will be very similar to our flagship – in-house medical and wellbeing experts will deliver week-long longevity and detox programmes combining preventative medicine and genetic/epigenetic testing, with wellbeing, lifestyle and nutrition plans – but on a smaller scale, with around 50 bedrooms.”

Although the CLP rollout strategy is ambitious, Gibertoni emphasised that he and his team will preserve the brand’s DNA as its portfolio grows.CLP employs a team of 15 – specialising in disciplines from medicine to science to nutrition to wellness to hospitality and more – who make sure each of its global outposts encapsulates the expertise and experience of CLP in every detail.

To hear more about CLP’s latest programming, AI-powered assessments, the latest trends in wellness and evolving guest profiles, head to the full interview.