The acquisition, holding and management of participations in all companies and commercial, industrial, financial or real estate companies in Switzerland and abroad, as well as all other activities that may promote or develop the aforementioned purpose or facilitate its realization. The Company may acquire, hold and sell patents, trademarks and technical and industrial know-how. The Company may also acquire, hold, encumber and sell real estate in Switzerland and abroad. It may acquire participations in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, establish branches and create subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, represent third parties and carry out all operations and conclude all contracts that may promote the purpose of the Company or are directly or indirectly related to it. The Company may also provide direct or indirect financing, including by participating in cash pooling operations, to its direct or indirect subsidiaries and to any third party, including its direct or indirect shareholders and the direct or indirect subsidiaries of these shareholders, and grant securities for their obligations, including by means of pledges on the Company's assets or their transfer by way of fiduciary transfer or through guarantees of any kind.