LONDON, May 19 /PRNewswire/ --

Regulatory processes differ across continents, posing challenges to drug launches. There is a pressing need to integrate the regulatory environment of the European Union (EU) and the U.S. Diverse regulations impact drug launches as less price controlled markets witness quicker launches, while it takes longer in regulated markets. The pharmaceutical industry, along with regulatory agencies, has been working closely with The International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) to develop a standard set of regulatory processes for Europe, the U.S., and Japan.

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SAN JOSE, California, May 19 /PRNewswire/ --

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the availability of a new AVR(R) 8-bit microcontroller for automotive LIN networking applications. The ATtiny87 is the second device of a LIN-dedicated low pin-count family specially optimized for cost-sensitive LIN slave applications.

MARLOW, England, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- NetDespatch has announced a secure parcel delivery system that ensures that goods are only released to authorised recipients. Called SecureScan, the system requires two cryptographically paired encoded barcodes to be matched on delivery to confirm the recipient's ID. This eliminates the need for a hand-written signature and is not only safer but also more convenient.

The result of a joint development by NetDespatch and First Ondemand, NetDespatch SecureScan uses the latest Internet, auto ID and wireless communications technology to provide a fully authenticated proof of delivery. The system is expected to significantly reduce the costs associated with the misdelivery of high value goods and subsequent disputed delivery claims.

ATLANTA, May 19 /PRNewswire/ --

- Singapore provides a home for innovation in Asia

Leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies are drawing on Singapore's integrated network of public-sector and academic institutes to enhance their RD productivity, leverage academic insights and diversify risks. Located at the heart of Asia with a population base that is representative of key Asian ethnic groups, Singapore provides a home-base of innovation for companies to test and develop new solutions for Asia and beyond.

SAN JOSE, California, May 19 /PRNewswire/ --

- New Device Offers Immediate Cost Savings to Customer with Low Memory Requirements

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the availability of a new System-in-Package (SiP) solution for LIN automotive networking applications. The ATA6616, featuring maximum integration, is the second member of Atmel's new LIN SiP family. It combines Atmel's LIN System Basis Chip (SBC) ATA6624 - including LIN transceiver, voltage regulator, watchdog - and a member of Atmel's AVR(R) microcontroller family - the ATtiny87 with 8k Flash memory - in a single package. With this highly integrated solution, customers can create complete LIN nodes using just one IC.

STOCKHOLM, May 19 /PRNewswire/ --

- New Clinton Climate Initiative Programme to Demonstrate Economic, Environmental Strategies for Sustainable Urban Growth

The Stockholm Royal Seaport development was announced today as one among 16 founding projects of the Climate Positive Development Program. The Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) programme will support the development of large-scale urban projects that demonstrate cities can grow in ways that are climate positive. Climate Positive real estate developments will strive to reduce the amount of on-site CO2 emissions to below zero.

DUBAI, U.A.E., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) embarked on a capacity-expansion drive in the polyolefins market to realize its ambition of becoming a major global polyolefins production hub. Based on the current planned addition of new capacities, the GCC polyolefins industry is likely to see an avalanche of additional capacity by 2010. With the GCC polyolefins market being a low-growth one with a corresponding low demand, the additional capacities are expected to create a surge in the demand for polyethylene and polypropylene in the GCC.

New analysis from Frost Sullivan (http://www.chemicals.frost.com), Strategic Analysis of the Polyolefins Demand in the GCC, finds that the market grew at 4.9 percent in 2008.

BRUSSELS, May 19 /PRNewswire/ --

- Companies Taking no Chances - Hospitals Struggling and Price Pressure Increasing

The global economic crisis and recession have shaken many governments and industries. However, a recent survey conducted by Eucomed of 100 top executives at medical technology manufacturers across Europe defies this trend with only 20% of respondents noticing a significant negative impact on their business. The vast majority are nevertheless anticipating tougher times due to the downturn and restructuring of healthcare systems. Over 80% of respondents agree that hospitals are struggling financially, price pressure is increasing, and tendering and contracting conditions have worsened.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 19 /PRNewswire/ --

- The people of Africa must speak out and tell President Obama, a son of Kenya, that he must meet his promises to those who are affected by HIV/AIDS. -- James Kamau, Kenya Treatment Action Movement, Nairobi

In a press conference held today in Nairobi, global health advocates, including Global AIDS Alliance (GAA) executive director Dr. Paul Zeitz, called for a pan-African response to fix the funding gap in President Barack Obama's fiscal year 2010 budget request submitted to the U.S. Congress on 7 May 2009.

LONDON, May 19 /PRNewswire/ --

- With Travel Budgets on the Decline, and a Health Threat Further Restricting Travel, a Survey by Plantronics Shows That Sales Representatives get More Intimate With Their Customers When Using a Headset for Telephone Calls

LONDON, May 19 /PRNewswire/ --

Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT) today unveiled the company's latest market research identifying how headsets shape the experience shared between sales representatives and their customers. With the economic downturn and trimming of travel budgets, companies are becoming increasingly dependent on their salesforces' ability to foster and maintain valuable customer relationships over the phone.