The company's purpose is to hold, manage and dispose of participations. The company may also participate in other companies of any kind in Switzerland and abroad, establish, acquire and merge with them. It may acquire, encumber and dispose of real estate and intellectual property rights in Switzerland and abroad, and by decision of the board of directors, establish branches and agencies in Switzerland or abroad. The company may carry out all commercial, financial and other activities that are connected with the company's purpose. The company may also grant loans or other financing to its direct or indirect parent company and all other group companies, and provide security of any kind for liabilities of such other companies, including by way of pledges on or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether against payment or not.