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