New lung cancer vaccine created in France could be a game changer

14/09/2023

A French biotechnology company has produced a vaccine that is effective in decreasing deaths in people with some lung cancers by 41%.

Ose Immunotherapeutics’ Tedopi vaccine is the most advanced therapeutic cancer vaccine in clinical development. The company said in a statement Monday that it had demonstrated a 41% reduction of the risk of death for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a Phase III trial.

A Phase III clinical trial is the last step before a drug can be marketed, meaning the vaccine could become available soon to the public.

The vaccine was administered to 139 patients in nine European countries and the United States who had advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC or adenocarcinoma), the most common type of lung cancer, and all had shown resistance to other treatments. The other 80 patients who took part in the study received chemotherapy.

Results showed that the vaccine significantly improved overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared to chemotherapy, with Phase III data published in Annals of Oncology.

“Tedopi is the first cancer vaccine to demonstrate positive results on survival in a randomised Phase III trial in advanced and metastatic NSCLC cancer patients in third line. A significant reduction of the risk of death by 41% was achieved with a better safety profile and a maintained quality of life,” said Professor Benjamin Besse from the Gustave Roussy Institute, the study’s lead author, in a statement.

POSITIVE RESULTS

The overall survival rate at one year with Tedopi was 44.4% versus 27.5% with chemotherapy. The cancer vaccine offered an overall survival of 11.1 months compared to 7.5 months for standard of care. Additionally, post progression survival was found to be significantly greater in length for Tedopi: 7.7 months compared to 4.6 months for chemotherapy.

Tedopi is a therapeutic cancer vaccine, not a preventive measure. Therapeutic cancer vaccines aim to train the immune system to specifically recognise and destroy tumour cells.

The Covid pandemic accelerated research into the field of immunotherapy, acceellerating the production of vaccines, specifically mRNA vaccines.

“This Phase Three positive monotherapy data and moreover the recently announced positive Phase One and Two results using other personalised cancer vaccines in combination to treat resected melanoma or pancreatic cancer patients, highlight the promise of this new therapeutic class of vaccines,” said Nicolas Poirier, Chief Executive Officer of OSE Immunotherapeutics.

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Photo credit: CDC, Unsplash

Delve deeper into Duel Reality with photographic exhibition

by: Giulia Bono

14/09/2023

The Kamil art gallery is presenting a photographic exhibition of the Duel Reality circus show which is set to feature at the Grimaldi Forum this weekend.

The Kamil art gallery on Avenue Princesse Grace is known for showcasing unique and international art. Its partnership with Duel Reality is a continuation of this, with the gallery opening its doors to a new exhibition on Wednesday 14th September.

The exhibition portrays some of the most crucial moments from the Duel Reality circus show through the lens of Arata Urawa and Einar Kling Odencrants.

“I picked out the photographs that included the most emotions as well as the most prominent moments of the production,” 8 Stars Monaco Director Nicolas Jelmoni tells Monaco Life.

Duel Reality is a revised version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Julliette. The common goal between the director of the gallery and the co-founder of the show was to visualise a modern form of artistic expression.

“As I was preparing to direct the show, I already knew exactly which performers I wanted for which characters, because I know some of these artists really well, I know what they are capable of and how well they can fit in with certain characters,” explains Shana Carrol, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Duel Reality.

In order to achieve these captivating images, the photographers revealed that they needed to be connected to the art.

Photographer Arata Urawa, who is also a former circus perform, says that technique is crucial to obtaining images that are professional and speak to the audience, however, experience can change the whole meaning and interpretation of a picture.

“I used to be a performer, so when I was taking pictures of the show, I could feel their next move, I could predict what was going to happen. That is very important because the quality of your shot could change in a matter of seconds,” Urawa tells Monaco Life.

The Duel Reality circus show is being held at the Grimaldi Forum on Saturday 16^th and Sunday 17^th September, while the Duel Reality photographic exhibition is being hosted at Kamil Gallery until 20^th September.

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Tennis: Monaco set for “50/50” Davis Cup clash against Ecuador

by: Luke Entwistle

14/09/2023

The Monaco Davis Cup team at the draw ahead of their tie against Ecuador

Monaco’s Davis Cup team are set for a stern test against an experienced Ecuador side at the Monte-Carlo Country Club this weekend.

After consolidating their place in Group 2 following a victory over the Dominican Republic earlier this year, Monaco are once again looking forward.

It has been a positive season for the Principality’s tennis players: Valentin Vacherot and Romain Arneodo have never been ranked higher, the latter reaching the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters in April, whilst Hugo Nys, an Australian Open finalist at the beginning of the year, recently reached the quarter-finals of the US Open too.

“Will we be slightly feared? Maybe a bit,” said Nys at the draw on Thursday 14th September.

However, Monaco aren’t getting ahead of themselves, and they shouldn’t. Ecuador are an experienced side with a culture of competing in the Davis Cup.

“It is a very big tradition is Ecuador, a very big competition for us. Our federation, all our players, we are like a big family,” said Captain Raúl Viver.

A “50/50” encounter, according to Couillard

Despite not winning in the Davis Cup since 2020, Ecuador arrive high on confidence and with a lengthy preparation period under their belts. The success of Monaco’s players this season means that they will be feeling positive, but perhaps with a little less preparation in the bank.

“It has been a season of two halves. Since April I have played a lot, not a lot of preparation. I have played a lot this summer, so I am arriving with a lot of confidence,” said Vacherot.

There is no wonder, therefore, why Guillaume Couillard has billed the tie as a “50/50” encounter.

“When we step on the court, it’s 50/50. Ecuador are a team with great players, with great experience, perhaps more than us,” said Monaco’s captain.

Monte-Carlo Masters finalist returns to Monegasque clay

In such a tight encounter, familiarity with the surroundings, as well as home-court advantage, could play a part. Arneodo in particular has felt the benefit of playing on Monaco clay, having reached the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this season.

“On clay, here in Monaco, especially, something always happens. I have always performed well here,” he told Monaco Life.

However, it isn’t just the surface that plays into Monaco’s hands, home support can play a part, and prior to the match, which begins on Friday, Couillard made a call to arms.

“When we play at home, in front of our people, for our country, we’re galvanised. The public will be important and I hope they’ll come in numbers,” he said.

Monaco v Ecuador Davis Cup draw in full:

FRIDAY:

Valentin Vacherot v Álvaro Guillen

Lucas Catarina v Emilio Gómez

SATURDAY:

Romain Arneodo & Hugo Nys v Gonzalo Escobar & Diego Hidalgo

Valentin Vacherot v Emilio Gomez

Lucas Catarina v Álvaro Guillen

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Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

International visits and delegations buoyed by Monaco’s booming local economy

by: Elsa Carpenter

14/09/2023

Monaco Life rounds up all the latest business and economy news from the Principality of Monaco, including an overwhelming positive Q2 economic bulletin.

IMSEE releases positive Q2 economic bulletin

According to the recently released Q2 economic bulletin from Monaco’s statistical agency, IMSEE, growth has been recorded in the vast majority of economic indicators within the Principality.

Aggregate data compiled in the first half of 2023 puts the overall volume of foreign trade, which excludes trade with France, at €1.8 billion. This is a €261.4 million or 16.6% increase on the same period during 2022, and pushes the first six months of 2023 close to the pre-pandemic figures of 2019: €1.9 billion.

Trade with the EU increased by 13%, but rose further outside of the bloc, with a 21.2% uptick in international trade. After Italy and Germany, the UK is now Monaco’s third “most important trading partner”.

For the first time ever, revenue exceeded €10 billion in the first half of the year. This was largely due to a swelling of revenue from the Principality’s financial and insurance activities (+106.6%), as well as in its scientific, technical, administrative and support service activities (+43.5%). The construction (+18.8%) and real estate (+7.9%) sectors also saw notable increases.

The report noted a fall in volume of new property sales compared to the first half of 2022 – 19 so far this year against 33 between January and June last year – but the value of these sales has almost doubled. The sales in the first half of 2023 equate to roughly €600 million, compared to €342.1 last year, and are primarily linked to the Mareterra land reclamation project. A total of 206 resale transactions were recorded in the first six months of 2023.

Tourism has continued its upward trajectory, building on an excellent start to the year. Occupancy rates reached 55.4%, up 6.4% on Q1 and Q2 in 2022. Individual arrivals “soared” by almost 50%, but their length of stay contracted. Non-EU guests represented just over 40% of visitors to Monaco’s hotels.

Monaco Economic Board attends Karpacz Economic Forum

Monaco Economic Board (MEB) CEO Guillaume Rose headed to Poland between 5th and 7th September for the Karpacz Economic Forum, a major Eastern European business meeting, at the behest of Monaco’s Ambassador to Germany, Austria and Poland, Lorenzo Ravano.

In addition to being an opportunity to meet with interesting potential partners, such as the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade, with which the MEB signed an official Memorandum of Understanding, Monaco’s very presence at the event allowed Rose to showcase the Principality’s economic talents to an audience made up of key figures from the rapidly growing markets of Central and Eastern European countries.

In particular, Rose appeared on the panel of several well-attended discussions, including: “Can we afford not to turn to renewable energies?” alongside the Operations Director of General Electric, and “How to make the tourism sector more competitive following the crises it has just been through?”, where the CEO spoke of Monaco’s “impressive reboot” in the post-pandemic years.

MonacoTech hosts “high-level” delegation from South Korea

At the start of September, the Monaco Economic Board (MEB) received a “high-level” delegation from South Korea at the MonacoTech premises in Fontvieille, following up on a trade mission to Seoul that took place back in 2019.

The Korean representatives were composed of important figures from the Korean Chamber of Commerce and the nation’s “chaebols” of SK Telecom, Doosan and Lotte. They met with MEB CEO Guillaume Rose and the board’s deputy CEO, Justin Highman, who had arranged a presentation on the Principality’s “economic assets”.

Martin Peronnet, CEO of Monaco Telecom, was also present at the meeting, which included a tour of MonacoTech courtesy of its director, Sandrine Sauval-Chanteloube.

*South Korea’s “chaebols” pictured inside the MonacoTech premises. Photo credit: MEB*

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Featured photo credit: MEB

All the World Wellness Weekend events planned in Monaco and the Riviera

by: Stephanie Horsman

14/09/2023

The Principality of Monaco is joining nearly 150 other countries, as well as cities along the Côte d’Azur, in celebrating World Wellness Weekend in the coming days. Here are all the local events.

Since 2017, World Wellness Weekend has been a source of inspiration for millions of people around the world through the thousands of free, fun and creative activities organised by wellness professionals and service providers each year.

World Wellness Weekend is a concept that was started by Jean-Guy Gabriac, an author and educator in the field, as a way of encouraging people to think more about their health and consider making better, more sustainable choices in their lives, as well as to find innovative ways of making exercise more enjoyable.

The global initiative, taken up by venues, associations, businesses and city officials in almost 150 counties worldwide, is partnered with the United Nations Global Sustainability Index Institute. Locally, the three destinations of Monaco, Nice and Antibes will also be hosting World Wellness Weekend-related events, and here’s when and where to find them.

MONACO

Conscientiae, the new venue that took over from Stars‘N’Bars, will be hosting events on the theme of “holistic options to care for your mind, body and spirit” on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September, to which a number of wellness professionals from the realms of yoga, nutrition, massage, reflexology and meditation have been invited along to give free, introductory mini-sessions to those interested.

Some of the topics that will be covered include: electrostimulation exercise, face and body sculpting, floral art classes, a family constellation presentation, health and nutrition science, kundalini meditation, a yoga-Pilates flow course and a short reflexology treatment.

Additionally, the restaurant will be open for those who would like to enjoy a healthy meal before or after the event. The Saturday programme runs from 1pm to 6pm, and on Sunday from 2pm to 5pm.

For anyone interested in attending or for more information, please contact katarina@conscientiae.com.

The Spa CinqMondes at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort has also organised a series of treatments and skin diagnosis sessions between Friday 15th and Sunday 17th September, from 10am to noon and subject to availability. To honour the inclusive spirit of World Wellness Weekend, the spa will also be putting out video “capsules” featuring yoga and facial massage methods.

For further information, please click here.

NICE

In Nice, the Boscolo Hotel and Spa is holding two days of facial self-massage and yoga video tutorials at its Deep Nature Spa on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th September. The facial massage techniques are simple movements designed to relax and smooth features, and the yoga tutorial will be hosted by a teacher with two decades of experience. The establishment will also be offering a “Flash Diagnosis and Relaxation” session on both days for guests of the hotel. A reservation is required for this free treatment.

For more information or to book, please click here.

ANTIBES

Thalazur in Antibes has organised three days of events, starting on Friday 15th September with an “Oxygenating Walk”. A Pilates session with sea views will take place between 9.30am and 10.30am on Saturday 16th, followed by a “Muscle Awakening Course” at the same time on Sunday 17th September.

To reserve a space at any of these Antibes events, and for more information, please click here.

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Photo source: Kike Vega, Unsplash

Drought: Nice and Cannes among the 20 Riviera communes classed as “natural disaster zones”

by: Elsa Carpenter

14/09/2023

Over 1,000 communes across France have been recognised as places of “natural disaster” following the droughts of 2022. Among them are 18 towns and cities in the Alpes-Maritimes and one in the Var.

A decree from the French government issued on 8th September has recognised 18 communes in the Alpes-Maritimes and one village in the neighbouring Var as being official natural disaster zones due to the widespread droughts that affected much of the country in 2022.

They join a list of over 1,000 other French communes also labelled as natural disaster zones for the same period.

Natural disaster zones in the French Riviera

In the Alpes-Maritimes, these are the designated municipalities: Ascros, Bendejun, Bézaudun-les-Alpes, Cabris, Cannes, Châteauneuf-Villevieille, Coaraze, Cuébris, Daluis, Mougins, Nice, Peille, Peillon, Roquette-sur-Var, Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne, Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey, Spéracèdes and Touët-sur-Var.

Vence and Le Tignet had their requests to be listed rejected, but Bonson, Castagniers, Castellar, Colomars, Drap, Rigaud, Tourrettes-sur-Loup and Menton are still in the process of review. A decision on their status is expected in the coming weeks.

In the Var, the village of La Cadière-d’Azur, which is situated between the Sainte Baume mountain range and the Bay of St-Cyr-La Ciotat, is the only commune to receive natural disaster zone classification.

What does this status mean?

Being counted as a natural disaster zone allows residents in the area to make specific claims to their insurers for financial assistance in dealing with issues caused by natural forces, as well as have their claim promptly dealt with.

Nature disasters can mean floods, mud and landslides, and, as is becoming more common according to insurers, droughts. In the latter case, problems tend to be caused by shrink-and-swell episodes – or “épisodes de sécheresse–réhydratation des sols” in French – which can cause damage to properties inside and out.

According to comments made to Ouest France by the national insurers’ federation, France Assureurs, the total cost of drought damage to French homes in 2022 could come to €2.5 billion, which would be a record amount since France introduced the natural disaster status in the 1980s.

What now?

Residents in the communes listed now have 30 days to contact their insurers and submit an estimated statement of losses.

For more detailed information, please click here.

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Photo source: Blowup, Unsplash

Day: 14 September 2023