Manufacture and trade of chemical and pharmaceutical products as well as laboratory equipment of all kinds; furthermore, acquisition, holding and management of intellectual property rights of all kinds. The company may participate in other companies, establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, acquire, hold, manage and sell real estate and participations, grant loans or other financing to affiliated companies and create securities of all kinds for the direct or indirect benefit of affiliated companies, in particular in the form of guarantees, pledges or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets.