The company's purpose is to acquire, sell, hold and manage participations, as well as to establish and finance participations in Switzerland and abroad. The company may establish agencies, branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and carry out any activity that is suitable to promote the purpose of the company, in particular also acquire, hold, manage, encumber and dispose of participations and intellectual property rights. It may provide financing for itself and third parties and grant guarantees and other securities. Furthermore, the company may grant loans or other financing to its direct or indirect shareholders and their direct or indirect subsidiaries, as well as to third parties, against payment or free of charge, and provide security of any kind for the liabilities of such persons or group companies, including guarantees, pledges and fiduciary transfers of the company's assets.