The company's purpose is to acquire, manage and exploit participations, patents and licenses, and to carry out corresponding investments and financings. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, and participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad. The company may acquire, hold and sell real estate. The company may also conduct all business that is suitable to promote its purpose directly or indirectly. The company may grant loans or other financings to its (direct or indirect) shareholders, to them and to persons closely related to them, as well as to their direct or indirect subsidiaries or third parties, even if these are granted free of charge. It may provide securities of all kinds for the debts and in the interest of (direct and indirect) shareholders, to them and to persons closely related to them, as well as to their direct or indirect subsidiaries or third parties, including by way of pledges on or fiduciary transfer of assets of the companies or by way of guarantees of all kinds, even if these securities are granted free of charge.