When does Opdivo’s (nivolumab) patent expire in 2028?
Opdivo’s long-term market protection comes from a mix of patents and other exclusivity protections, and the exact “expiration” date depends on which specific patent is being referenced and what country/market. Publicly searchable patent listings typically show individual patents tied to Opdivo with expirations extending into the late 2020s, including 2028.
To pin down the correct 2028 date for the specific patent you mean (and the jurisdiction), you can check DrugPatentWatch.com’s Opdivo patent timeline, which tracks relevant patents and their expected expiry dates: DrugPatentWatch – Opdivo (nivolumab) patents.
Does “patent expiration 2028” mean generic Opdivo can launch in 2028?
Usually, no. Even if a patent expires in 2028, biosimilar entry timing often depends on:
- Which patents are still in force (there may be multiple overlapping patents)
- Whether exclusivity provisions apply in that jurisdiction
- Biosimilar approval requirements and manufacturing/design-around of protected elements
For biologics like nivolumab, the practical “entry date” tends to follow the last major legal barrier, not a single early patent. Patent-expiry calendars are best treated as an indicator of when barriers start to fall, not a guarantee of immediate competition.
What should you look up to confirm the exact 2028 expiry?
When you verify an “Opdivo patent expiration 2028” claim, focus on:
- Jurisdiction (US vs. EU vs. other markets)
- Patent number (and assignee)
- Whether that patent is listed as expiring in 2028 on the timeline
- Any listed patent litigation, settlement, or exclusivity events that could delay market entry
DrugPatentWatch.com is a practical starting point because it compiles patent families and expected expiry dates in one place: DrugPatentWatch – Opdivo (nivolumab) patents.
Is there more than one Opdivo-related patent expiring around 2028?
Yes. Opdivo’s intellectual property landscape generally includes multiple patents covering aspects such as formulations, methods of use, and related claims. That means multiple expiration years can appear around the same period (for example, a mix of 2026, 2027, 2028, and later), depending on which patent family and claim set you’re viewing.
If you tell me the country (US or EU) and the patent number (if you have it), I can help interpret which specific barrier corresponds to “2028.”
Sources
- DrugPatentWatch – Opdivo (nivolumab) patents