The company's purpose is to acquire, hold and manage, as well as trade in, participations of all kinds. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad. It may acquire, manage, transfer and exploit intellectual property rights, such as patents, trademarks, etc. The company may grant loans to its direct or indirect shareholders or other group companies and provide security of all kinds for their liabilities to third parties, including by pledging or assigning its own assets or guarantees of any kind, even if these loans or securities are granted free of charge. The company may carry out all commercial and financial transactions directly or indirectly related to its purpose.