The company's purpose is to acquire, hold, manage and dispose of participations in domestic and foreign companies. The company can establish, acquire and merge with other companies of any kind in Switzerland and abroad. It can acquire, encumber and dispose of real estate and intellectual property rights in Switzerland and abroad, and establish branches and agencies in Switzerland or abroad by resolution of the board of directors. The company can carry out all commercial, financial and other activities that are connected with the company's purpose. The company can also grant loans or other financing to its direct or indirect parent company and all other group companies, and provide security of any kind for liabilities of such other companies, including by way of pledges on or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether against payment or not.