The purpose of the company consists of the development, production, processing, distribution of and trade in pharmaceutical and biotechnological products, food supplements and foodstuffs as well as medical devices. The company may also act as a general agent for such products and provide services in this area. Furthermore, the company may engage in any business that is related to the purpose of the enterprise. It may also participate in other companies, establish branches both domestically and abroad, as well as take out and grant loans, provide guarantees and other securities, and acquire, manage, utilize, and sell real estate, concessions, patents, licenses, and other intangible property rights. The company is part of a group and may, in pursuing its corporate purpose, take into account the interests of the group. In particular, the company may grant loans and other direct or indirect financing to its direct and indirect subsidiaries and to third parties, including their direct and indirect shareholders and their direct and indirect subsidiaries, including within the framework of cash pooling agreements (including zero balancing), and provide securities of any kind for the liabilities of these parties, including by way of pledges on or assignments and fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind. This may also be done without consideration, on preferential terms, without interest, excluding the profit-seeking nature of the company and/or by incurring clustering risks.