The company's purpose is to acquire, hold, manage, sell and finance participations in companies of any kind in Switzerland and abroad. The company can acquire, manage and sell licenses, patents and other intangible assets as well as real estate. It can establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and conduct all business that is connected with the company's purpose or suitable to promote it. Furthermore, the company can grant loans and other financing to affiliated companies and individuals (including direct and indirect parent and sister companies, as well as companies affiliated with them) and provide security for any obligations of these other companies and individuals, in particular in the form of guarantees, sureties, pledges and security assignments of the company's assets, whether for consideration or not.