v3.26.1
Intangible assets and goodwill
3 Months Ended
Mar. 29, 2026
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Intangible assets and goodwill Intangible assets and goodwill
Intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The latest annual impairment assessment of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets was completed in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2025. Future impairment tests for goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets will be performed annually in the fiscal fourth quarter, or sooner, if warranted.
(Dollars in Millions)March 29, 2026December 28, 2025
Intangible assets with definite lives:  
Patents and trademarks — gross$58,51559,156
Less accumulated amortization
(32,939)
(32,507)
Patents and trademarks — net
$25,576
26,649
Customer relationships and other intangibles — gross21,34021,361
Less accumulated amortization(15,156)(14,998)
Customer relationships and other intangibles — net(1)
$6,184
6,363
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:  
Trademarks1,7661,772
Purchased in-process research and development15,53515,619
Total intangible assets — net$49,06150,403
(1)The majority is comprised of customer relationships
Goodwill as of March 29, 2026 was allocated by segment of business as follows:
(Dollars in Millions)
Innovative
Medicine
MedTechTotal
Goodwill at December 28, 2025
$14,96733,80548,772
Goodwill, related to acquisitions
Goodwill, related to divestitures
Currency translation/Other
(155)
(59)
(214)
Goodwill at March 29, 2026
$14,81233,74648,558
    
The weighted average amortization period for patents and trademarks is approximately 12 years. The weighted average amortization period for customer relationships and other intangible assets is approximately 19 years. The amortization expense of amortizable intangible assets included in the cost of products sold was $1.2 billion and $1.1 billion for the fiscal first quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, respectively.
The estimated amortization expense for approved products, before tax, for the five succeeding years is approximately:
(Dollars in Millions)
20262027202820292030
$5,1004,4003,7003,6003,500
See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details related to acquisitions and divestitures.