v3.25.4
Intangible assets and goodwill (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 28, 2025
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill
At the end of fiscal years 2025 and 2024, the gross and net amounts of intangible assets were:
(Dollars in Millions)20252024
Intangible assets with definite lives:  
Patents and trademarks — gross(1)
$59,15644,695
Less accumulated amortization(32,507)(26,124)
Patents and trademarks — net$26,64918,571
Customer relationships and other intangibles — gross$21,36120,310
Less accumulated amortization(14,998)(13,544)
Customer relationships and other intangibles — net(2)
$6,3636,766
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:  
Trademarks(3)
1,772—
Purchased in-process research and development15,61912,281
Total intangible assets with indefinite lives$17,39112,281
Total intangible assets — net$50,40337,618
(1)See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details related to acquisitions and divestitures.
(2)The majority is comprised of customer relationships.
(3)In October 2025, the Company announced its intention to separate its Orthopaedics business, to be named DePuy Synthes. In connection with this strategic decision, the Company determined the DePuy Synthes trademarks will continue to be used on existing and future products. Therefore, $1.7 billion of trademarks associated with the DePuy Synthes brand were reclassified from definite lived to indefinite lived. This reclassification reflects management’s revised expectations regarding the future economic life and continued use of these trademarks through and following the planned separation. Based on a qualitative assessment, the Company concluded that the trademarks are not impaired.
Goodwill
Goodwill as of December 28, 2025 and December 29, 2024, as allocated by segment of business, was as follows:
(Dollars in Millions)Innovative
Medicine		MedTechTotal
Goodwill at December 31, 2023$10,40726,15136,558
Goodwill, related to acquisitions6407,5698,209
Goodwill, related to divestitures—(56)(56)
Currency translation/other(355)(156)(511)
Goodwill at December 29, 202410,69233,50844,200
Goodwill, related to acquisitions3,488—3,488
Goodwill, related to divestitures—(29)(29)
Currency translation/other7873261,113
Goodwill at December 28, 2025$14,96733,80548,772
Intangible Asset Amortization Expense
The estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets for approved products, before tax, for the five succeeding years is approximately:
(Dollars in Millions)
20262027202820292030
$5,1004,4003,7003,6003,500