Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Amounts allocated to acquired IPR&D are expensed at the date of acquisition. When we acquire net assets that do not constitute a business under generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (GAAP), no goodwill is recognized.

The judgments made in determining the estimated fair value assigned to each class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as asset lives, can materially impact our results of operations. Accordingly, for significant items, we typically obtain assistance from third party valuation specialists.The valuations are based on information available near the acquisition date and are based on expectations and assumptions that have been deemed reasonable by management.

There are several methods that can be used to determine the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. For intangible assets, including IPR&D, we typically use the “income method.” This method starts with a forecast of all of the expected future net cash flows. These cash flows are then adjusted to present value by applying an appropriate discount rate that reflects the risk factors associated with the cash flow streams. Some of the more significant estimates and assumptions inherent in the income

Accounting Policies

We consider the following accounting policies important in understanding our operating results and financial condition. For additional accounting policies, see Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 1, Significant Accounting Policies.

Estimates and Assumptions

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, we use certain estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. For example, estimates are used when accounting for deductions from revenues (such as rebates, discounts, incentives and product returns), depreciation, amortization, employee benefits, contingencies and asset and liability valuations. Our estimates are often based on complex judgments, probabilities and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, but that are inherently uncertain method or other methods include: the amount and timing of projected future cash flows; the amount and timing of projected costs to develop the IPR&D into commercially viable products; the discount rate selected to measure the risks inherent in the future cash flows; and the assessment of the asset’s life cycle and the competitive trends impacting the asset, including consideration of any technical, legal, regulatory, or economic barriers to entry, as well as expected changes in standards of practice for indications addressed by the asset.

Determining the useful life of an intangible asset also requires judgment as different types of intangible assets will have different useful lives and certain assets may even be considered to have indefinite useful lives. For example, the useful life of the right associated with a pharmaceutical product’s exclusive patent will be finite and will result in amortization expense being recorded in our results of operations over a determinable period. However, the useful life associated