The research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceutical and biotechnological products, as well as the provision of consulting services in these fields. In this context, the company may acquire, license, develop, and exploit intellectual property rights, as well as provide consulting, research, and other ancillary services related to these fields. The company may also participate in mergers, transformations, joint ventures, partnerships, or share exchange transactions; borrow funds or grant loans, guarantees, or securities to shareholders, group entities, or third parties, when such actions are in the interest of the company or its group; and conduct cash pooling, financial management, or other treasury operations on behalf of the group. In general, the company may also carry out, either for its own account or for the account of third parties, all operations, both in Switzerland and abroad, directly or indirectly related to its purpose, and take participations in other companies with a similar or related purpose to its own. The company may create subsidiaries and branches in Switzerland or abroad.