In recent years regional policy has become more and more concerned with the improvement of the innovation capacity and performance of firms. Many regional development strategies have as key elements the support of their regional innovation systems and innovative clusters of firms. It has been recognized that increasing the technological level, the value added and the competitiveness of a region...

The number of new molecular entities (NMEs) approved in 2005 was 17 in Japan, 20 in US and 18 in EU, respectively. Among 53 NMEs approved in Japan and at least one other region during 2002 to 2005, 53 NMEs had been approved in US and 25 in EU by 2005, but there were no common approvals only between Japan and EU. On the other hand, 26 NMEs were solely approved in US and EU during this period. Am...

Note from the Editors: although the e-Competitions editors are doing their best to build a comprehensive set of the leading EU and national antitrust cases, the completeness of the database cannot be guaranteed. The present foreword seeks to provide readers with a view of the existing trends based primarily on cases reported in e-Competitions. Readers are welcome to bring any other relevant cas...

The European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine was established by the European Communities Confederation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EC4) in 1997. The main aims of the Register are to ensure a high quality of professional standards and practice in the European Union (EU) countries, and to assist free movement of professionals within the EU,...

FACT: Not at all! Georgia is introducing legislation to protect its citizens against discrimination. The EU welcomes this initiative, which is also a requirement under the EU's Visa Liberalisation Action Plan. The anti-discrimination law simply assures the equal treatment of all citizens, including those belonging to minorities. This protects citizens' existing rights, for example to enjoy free...

Author: Jianxiang Bi This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of ECRAN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.