Galenica - Annual report 2024

17. Intangible assets

Intangible assets

in thousand CHF	Intangible assets with finite useful lives 1)	Trademarks with indefinite useful lives	Software	Goodwill	Total intangible assets
Net carrying amount as at 31.12.2022	10,422	82,720	92,267	914,703	1,100,112
Addition	508	–	32,191	–	32,699
Amortisation	–2,974	–	–12,783	–	–15,757
Addition to scope of consolidation	392	8,940	–	19,650	28,983
Disposal from scope of consolidation	–	–	–4,471	–63,046	–67,517
Translation differences	–16	–	–1	–	–17
Net carrying amount as at 31.12.2023	8,332	91,660	107,204	871,307	1,078,503
Addition	392	–	36,350	–	36,742
Disposal	–	–	–74	–	–74
Amortisation	–2,677	–	–16,824	–	–19,501
Addition to scope of consolidation	–	–	–	20,168	20,168
Translation differences	6	–	–	–	6
Net carrying amount as at 31.12.2024	6,054	91,660	126,656	891,475	1,115,844

Overview as at 31.12.2023
Cost	22,863	91,660	168,294	871,307	1,154,124
Accumulated amortisation and impairment	–14,530	–	–61,090	–	–75,620
Net carrying amount as at 31.12.2023	8,332	91,660	107,204	871,307	1,078,503

Overview as at 31.12.2024
Cost	23,260	91,660	202,484	891,475	1,208,879
Accumulated amortisation and impairment	–17,206	–	–75,829	–	–93,035
Net carrying amount as at 31.12.2024	6,054	91,660	126,656	891,475	1,115,844

1) Including trademarks, patents, licences and customer relationships

Trademarks with indefinite useful lives

This position includes trademarks that are well known nationally and internationally and actively advertised. These acquired trademarks are regarded as having indefinite useful lives for the following reasons: they were created many years ago, they do not expire, and the products sold under the trademarks have a history of strong revenue and cash flow performance. Galenica intends and has the ability to support the trademarks to maintain their values for the foreseeable future.

For impairment testing purposes the trademarks have been allocated to the cash-generating units Verfora, Padma and Spagyros in the operating segment Products & Care. The recoverable amount is determined on the basis of future discounted cash flows. Cash flows beyond the three-year planning period are based on the growth rates and discount rates before tax set out below, as approved in medium-term planning by management:

Trademarks with indefinite useful lives

in thousand CHF	2024	2023
Carrying amount	91,660	91,660
Growth rate	1.2%	1.0%
Pre-tax discount rate	7.2%	7.0%

According to the results of impairment testing for 2024 and 2023 using value in use calculations, no impairment was necessary. Galenica performed a sensitivity analysis taking into account reasonable changes in the assumptions used to calculate the discounted cash flows, such as higher discount rates, lower EBIT margins or lower perpetual growth rates. The sensitivity analysis for 2024 and 2023 did not reveal that a reasonable possible change in assumption would lead to an impairment.

Goodwill

		2024			2023
in thousand CHF	Carrying amount	Growth rate	Pre-tax discount rate	Carrying amount	Growth rate	Pre-tax discount rate
Products & Care	805,928	1.2%	7.2%	785,760	1.0%	7.1%
Logistics & IT	85,547	1.2%	7.2%	85,547	1.0%	7.1%
Total	891,475			871,307

Accounting principles intangible assets

Intangible assets include acquired trademarks, patents, licences, customer relationships, purchased or internally developed software and other assets without physical substance. These items are measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment.

Expenditure on internally developed software is capitalised when the capitalisation criteria are met and future economic benefits from use or sale of the software are expected. Software that is not yet available for use is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if there are indications of impairment.

Amortisation is charged on a straight-line basis over the estimated economic or legal useful life, whichever is shorter as follows:

	Years
Trademarks, patents, licences, customer relationships	5 – 20
Software	2 – 15

The amortisation period and the amortisation method are reviewed at least at each financial year-end.

With the exception of trademarks in the business area Products & Brands, all intangible assets are assessed as having a finite useful life. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortised but tested for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of the year, or more frequently if there are indications of impairment.

Goodwill is allocated to the cash-generating unit (CGU) or group of CGUs that are expected to benefit from a business combination. Management monitors goodwill at operating segment level.

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of the year, or more frequently if there are indications of impairment. The impairment test is based on the discounted cash flow method. The WACC is used to determine the applicable pre-tax discount rate. The recoverable amount (higher of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use) of each CGU is determined on the basis of the medium-term plans for the next three years approved by management. Cash flows beyond the three-year planning period are extrapolated using a perpetual growth rate. If the recoverable amount is lower than the carrying amount, the carrying amount is reduced to the recoverable amount by recording an impairment charge.