The company's purpose is to trade in pharmaceutical and chemical products and means, provide medical, diagnostic and similar services, acquire and exploit industrial rights and licenses related to such products and services, conduct research and development work and training in these fields, and carry out all transactions related thereto. The company may establish branches in Switzerland and abroad, participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, take over representations and enter into all business and contracts that may be suitable to promote the purpose of the company or that are directly or indirectly related thereto. It may acquire, hold and sell real estate. The company may provide direct and indirect financing for direct or indirect subsidiaries as well as for third parties, including its direct or indirect shareholders and their direct or indirect subsidiaries. It may enter into securities of any kind for liabilities of such affiliated companies, including pledges on or fiduciary assignments of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, for consideration or not.