The purpose of the company is to acquire, hold, finance and manage participations in companies in Switzerland and abroad and intellectual property rights, as well as to invest and manage other assets. Furthermore, the company may conduct all business that is suitable to promote or facilitate the development of the company and the achievement of the company's purpose, directly or indirectly. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and acquire, encumber, sell and manage real estate in Switzerland and abroad. It may also provide direct and indirect financing (e.g. through loans) for its own account or for the account of third parties and grant securities of any kind for liabilities of affiliated companies, including pledges on or fiduciary assignments of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether remunerated or not.