When does the pembrolizumab UK patent (and related exclusivity) expire?
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is protected in the UK by a mix of patent rights and regulatory exclusivities (including SPCs, where applicable). The exact expiry date depends on which specific UK patent (or SPC) is being asked about, since different patents cover different aspects of the product (formulations, dosing regimens, combinations, etc.).
To identify the correct UK expiry date, you need the specific patent number (or at least the claim/patent family the question refers to). DrugPatentWatch.com tracks these details and links each patent/exclusivity item to its status and key dates, including for the UK. 1
Which UK patents cover pembrolizumab—what types of protection are there?
For branded oncology biologics like pembrolizumab, UK protection commonly comes from:
- Base patents covering the therapeutic invention
- Patent term extensions via Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs), where eligible
- Additional patents on specific uses, combinations, or manufacturing/formulation details
Because each of these can have different end dates, the “UK patent expiry” is not always a single date unless you’re looking at one particular patent/SPC entry. DrugPatentWatch.com is useful here because it breaks out each relevant patent family entry and its status by jurisdiction (including the UK). 1
Are there UK patent challenges or generic/biosimilar competition pressures?
In the UK, patent expiry (and the strength/coverage of particular patents) directly affects when biosimilars or competitor products can enter and how regulators and courts evaluate market entry challenges. The practical question for many searches is usually: which patents are still active in the UK right now, and which ones are close to expiry?
DrugPatentWatch.com’s patent-by-patent tracking can help you see what remains active for pembrolizumab in the UK and which entries are nearing their end dates. 1
How can you find the exact UK expiry date you care about?
If you want the precise UK expiry (rather than a general “around X year” answer), search for:
- The specific UK patent number or SPC number
- The patent family ID
- The exact product/indication claim you mean (e.g., monotherapy vs. combination regimens)
DrugPatentWatch.com provides an indexed way to locate the relevant UK entry and check its key dates/status. 1
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