The purpose of the company is the acquisition, holding, management, exploitation and sale, directly or indirectly, of participations in industrial and commercial companies in Switzerland and abroad. The company may directly or indirectly acquire, hold, manage, encumber, exploit and sell real estate, patents, trademarks, technical and industrial know-how and other intangible rights and intellectual property rights, and may also offer technical and administrative consulting services. The company may conduct all business and take all measures that appear suitable to promote the purpose of the company or are related to the purpose, including (without limitation) all transactions or other measures to make financing available or to grant it, whether intra-group or with respect to third parties. The company may enter into financing agreements with or for the benefit of its shareholders and related parties, and may provide security for the obligations of its shareholders and related parties, in particular in the form of guarantees, pledges, global assignments, security transfers, security assignments and indemnification agreements.