The company's purpose is to conduct research, development, manufacturing and trade in medical-pharmaceutical products, as well as to provide related services. The company may acquire, hold, manage and sell participations in companies of all kinds in Switzerland and abroad. The company may engage in all commercial, financial and other activities, as well as conclude all transactions and agreements that are directly or indirectly related to its purpose or serve it in the broadest sense of the word. It may grant direct or indirect financing to third parties, including direct or indirect companies of the company or companies in which such companies are involved, whether through loans or other financing or by providing security of any kind, including through pledges on or fiduciary transfer of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether against payment or not, and it may conclude cash pooling agreements with other group companies. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, as well as acquire, hold, manage, utilize and sell real estate in Switzerland and abroad.