The 6th Sohn Monaco Investment Conference took place on Wednesday 24th June at the Yacht Club de Monaco. Held under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco, the event brought together leading financial experts to support paediatric cancer research.
Chaired by Justin Hilbert and Florence Tournier, the conference served as a meeting point for global fund managers and industry leaders. For the organisers, the event is deeply personal. “It highlights the financial opportunities that Monaco supplies, not only locally, but also globally,” Justin Hilbert told Monaco Life. “Supporting local institutions and the vital work they do for children facing paediatric cancer is something that matters deeply to us.”
Meanwhile, Florence Tournier noted the unique intersection the conference provides: “By combining the tools of finance with medical research, we can achieve a meaningful, long-term social impact.”
Scientific progress at the forefront
The conference highlighted the importance of turning fundamental research into clinical solutions. Jean-François Peyron, Research Director at Inserm C3M, provided a clear look at the global landscape, noting that while mortality rates for many cancers are decreasing, paediatric leukaemia remains a significant challenge.
“The goal is to understand, to treat the cancer,” Dr. Peyron explained during the conference. His team at Inserm C3M is currently investigating the resistance mechanisms that lead to relapse in childhood acute leukaemia.
Dr. Peyron highlighted the promise of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs), a field he described as one of the ‘most dynamic segments in oncology’. His research involves a construction method, creating tools that direct highly toxic treatments specifically to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
“We are doing research at the edge,” Dr. Peyron said regarding the standing of his institution in the global research community. While the journey from laboratory concept to patient treatment is complex, the support from foundations remains a cornerstone of their progress.
Strategic pitches: Where finance meets tomorrow’s technology
The conference showcased high-conviction ideas, from industry veterans, highlighting the importance of bridging the gap between innovative research and clinical application.
Kaspar Hållsten, CIO and Portfolio Manager at Rhenman & Partners, pitched two healthcare opportunities. He highlighted Anteris Technologies, a company aiming to disrupt how severe aortic stenosis is treated through advanced valve technology that enables better durability and haemodynamic performance. He also presented Nurix Therapeutics, an oncology company focused on a new approach called ‘BTK degraders’, which remove cancer-causing proteins rather than just blocking them. Hållsten emphasised that both companies are early-stage but represent the potential for the “next generation of healthcare”.
Alison Porter, Portfolio Manager at Janus Henderson Investors, pitched Cognex, a leader in machine vision. Porter explained that Cognex sits at the intersection of several global trends, including the move toward industrial automation and the high compute requirements of artificial intelligence. She noted that as manufacturers face labour shortages, they are increasingly relying on machine vision for real-time defect detection and alignment. Because Cognex focuses solely on machine vision and has consistently invested 15% of its sales into R&D, Porter believes the company has a “right to win” and is currently underappreciated by the market, with potential for significant growth as it expands its customer base in logistics, consumer electronics, and semiconductors.
As the financial world continues to navigate changing markets, the 6th Sohn Monaco Investment Conference serves as a reminder of what is possible when capital is directed toward the greater good.
Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.
Photos source: SOHN Monaco