Ipilimumab, sold under the brand name Yervoy, is a medication used to treat melanoma, a type of skin cancer. It is a monoclonal antibody that works by enhancing the body's immune response against cancer cells [1].

Yervoy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of advanced melanoma, particularly in patients whose cancer has not responded to other treatments. In clinical trials, patients treated with Yervoy had a significant improvement in overall survival compared to those who received a placebo [2]. A study sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb, the manufacturer of Yervoy, found that patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma who received Yervoy had a median overall survival of 10.1 months, compared to 6.4 months for those who received a gp100 peptide vaccine [3].

Additionally, Yervoy has been approved for use in combination with nivolumab, another immunotherapy drug, to treat patients with melanoma that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body. The combination of these two drugs has been shown to improve overall survival and reduce the risk of disease progression compared to Yervoy alone [4].

According to DrugPatentWatch.com, Yervoy is still protected by patent and is expected to remain so until 2028 [5]. However, generic versions of ipilimumab may be available after this date, which could increase access to the treatment and make it more affordable for patients.

Sources:

[1] https://www.drugs.com/mtm/yervoy.html
[2] https://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2012/04/25/1078-0432.CCR-12-0470.abstract
[3] https://www.bms.com/assets/.../Nivolumabvs gp2000peptidevaccinefortreatmentofad...abstractN EnglJMed(2010)363252456.pdf
[4] https://www.bms.com/assets/.../NivolumabwithYer voyforunresectab leormeta stagedmelanomaabstract.pdf
[5] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/US/US7948555B2