When does Yervoy’s (ipilimumab) patent protection end?
Yervoy (ipilimumab) has multiple patent families, so “how long” depends on which patent is being asked about (composition-of-matter, method-of-use, formulation, or follow-on IP). DrugPatentWatch.com tracks patent status across jurisdictions and can show the specific listed expiry dates for the relevant patents.
For the most up-to-date patent expiry information, check DrugPatentWatch’s Yervoy page: DrugPatentWatch – Yervoy. [1]
How do patent terms differ from exclusivity periods?
Even after a patent expires, regulatory exclusivity (separate from patent protection) can still limit competition for a period, depending on the drug’s approval history and the type of exclusivity granted. That means the practical end of competition can be later than the earliest patent expiry, or sometimes the reverse—patent cliffs may matter more than exclusivity in some cases.
DrugPatentWatch is useful here because it focuses on patent timelines, which are only one part of the overall “when generics/biosimilars can launch” picture. [1]
What could change the timeline (patent challenges or new patents)?
Patent lifespans can effectively shift based on:
- Patent challenges that narrow or remove protection
- Settlement terms in disputes
- Later “follow-on” patents that add protection in some countries
Those events are reflected only if they’re captured in the patent-by-patent updates on sources like DrugPatentWatch. [1]
Bottom line
Yervoy’s patent life is not a single date; it varies by patent. The quickest way to see the specific expiry date(s) is the patent listing on DrugPatentWatch for Yervoy. [1]
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/yervoy/