The company's purpose is to make investments and conduct research and development in the field of biotechnology. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, participate in or acquire other companies, and conduct all commercial, financial or other business that is directly or indirectly related to the company's purpose. In particular, it may grant loans or other financing to its direct or indirect parent companies and their direct or indirect subsidiaries, whether for consideration or not, and provide security of any kind for the liabilities of such group companies, including guarantees, pledges and fiduciary transfers of the company's assets. The company may acquire and sell real estate.