The company's purpose is to conduct research and development, manufacture, market and distribute chemical, biotechnological and pharmaceutical products in Switzerland and abroad. It can acquire, develop, register or exploit patents, processes, licenses and trademarks, or dispose of them. The company can establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and/or abroad, participate in other companies in Switzerland and/or abroad, acquire, hold, encumber and dispose of real estate or intellectual property rights in Switzerland and/or abroad, and conduct all commercial, financial or other business activities that are directly or indirectly related to the company's purpose. Furthermore, the company can grant loans or other financing to its direct or indirect shareholders and their direct or indirect subsidiaries, as well as to third parties, for consideration or free of charge, and provide security for the liabilities of such persons or group companies, including guarantees, pledges and fiduciary transfers of the company's assets. In addition, it can engage in liquidity balancing/net liquidity centralization (cash pooling) with group companies, including periodic balance adjustments, without consideration, on preferential terms, interest-free and without the intention of generating profits for the company.