The purpose of the company is to provide research and development services in various fields of science and technology. The company may establish subsidiaries and branches, as well as participate in other companies. The company may acquire, hold, encumber and dispose of properties for operational purposes and intellectual property rights. The company may also engage in all commercial, financial and other activities that are directly or indirectly related to the company's purpose. The company may grant loans and other direct or indirect financing to group companies and third parties, including their (direct and indirect) shareholders and their group companies, including within the framework of cash pooling agreements, and provide security of all kinds for their liabilities, including by way of pledges on or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether remunerated or not.