The company's purpose is to research and develop, manufacture, market and distribute pharmaceutical products. It can exploit, evaluate and manage any intellectual property rights and know-how, as well as conduct financial, trust and investment business. The company can acquire, manage, encumber and sell real estate in Switzerland and abroad. The company can establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, and conduct all business that is directly or indirectly related to its purpose. The company can grant or receive direct or indirect financing to its direct or indirect subsidiaries, as well as to third parties, including its direct or indirect shareholders and their direct or indirect subsidiaries, and provide or receive security of any kind for the liabilities of such companies, including by way of pledges on or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether paid or unpaid.