In a surprising twist, Shane Charter, the biochemist once embroiled in the infamous Essendon supplements scandal, has resurfaced in Dubai, opening a specialist anti-ageing clinic under the pseudonym Shane Bakker. The clinic, Health Corp Dubai, is located in the opulent Meydan Hotel and offers cutting-edge longevity treatments.
Charter, 57, who was a pivotal figure in the 2012 doping scandals involving Essendon and Cronulla football clubs, has rebranded himself as “Dr Ageless.” Despite adopting a new name, Charter’s recognizable image appears prominently on the clinic’s promotional website. The move to Dubai follows Charter’s departure from Australia two years ago, after a severe heart attack and legal troubles stemming from a police raid on his Melbourne clinic in 2022, which uncovered steroids and human growth hormone.
The New Venture in Dubai
Health Corp Dubai claims to offer “cutting-edge protocols using stem cells, peptides, IVs, and cellular repair.” The clinic’s mission, as stated on its website, is to “empower individuals to extend their healthspan, optimize their biology, and realize their fullest potential through science-based, personalized, and innovative health solutions.”
Despite its grand claims, Health Corp Dubai is not registered in the UAE according to local incorporation records. Instead, it is listed as a sole trading business in Australia under the name of a relative. The clinic is operated in conjunction with professional bodybuilders Adam Rochester and Calum von Moger, a three-time Mr. Universe and actor known for his portrayal of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
A Controversial Past
Charter’s history is marked by controversy. In 2020, he was fined by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for promoting a fake “breakthrough” COVID-19 treatment. That same year, it was revealed that Charter had loaned $1 million to a health and wellness company run by former Liberal trade minister Andrew Robb.
Charter’s treatments have attracted a clientele from the underworld, including former bikie Toby Mitchell and Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim, both of whom survived multiple gunshot wounds. In 2007, Charter was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for attempting to import 100,000 pseudoephedrine tablets, a key ingredient in manufacturing amphetamines.
“Shane brings more than 20 years of experience in precision health, biotechnology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and clinical wellbeing. His vision drives Health Corp’s evolution into a world-leading longevity and performance institute,” states the Health Corp Dubai website.
Implications and Future Prospects
The establishment of Health Corp Dubai raises questions about the regulation of health services and the ability of individuals with controversial pasts to reinvent themselves in new jurisdictions. Charter’s move to Dubai, a city known for its luxury and opulence, may offer him a fresh start, but it also underscores the challenges of overseeing international health practices.
As Charter continues to operate under a new identity, the global health community will likely scrutinize the legitimacy and safety of the treatments offered at Health Corp Dubai. The clinic’s promise of advanced diagnostics and biotechnology interventions may attract a clientele seeking the latest in anti-ageing solutions, but it also highlights the ongoing debate over the ethics and efficacy of such treatments.
Looking ahead, the impact of Charter’s new venture on his reputation and the broader field of longevity medicine remains to be seen. As the world grapples with the complexities of health innovation and regulation, the story of Shane Charter serves as a reminder of the fine line between scientific advancement and ethical responsibility.
