The company's purpose is (a) to acquire and manage participations in domestic and foreign companies. It may also sell such participations or exchange them for other participations, (b) to manage, advise and administratively manage legal and natural persons, (c) to trade in goods and provide services in the field of corporate financing. The company may engage in all activities directly or indirectly related to these purposes. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, as well as conduct all business directly or indirectly related to its purpose. Furthermore, the company's purpose is in particular the acquisition, management and disposal of intellectual property rights such as licenses, trademarks and patents. The company may acquire, encumber, sell and manage real estate in Switzerland and abroad. It may also provide financing for its own account or for the account of third parties, as well as provide guarantees and sureties for subsidiaries and third parties.