When does Opdivo’s protection/exclusivity run out?
Opdivo (nivolumab) is protected by a mix of patent terms and regulatory exclusivity that can differ by country, indication (cancer type), and formulation. The exact “expiry date” depends on which specific patent or exclusivity you mean (for example, primary composition patents vs. later-use or formulation patents).
To find the most relevant dates for a specific jurisdiction, DrugPatentWatch tracks Opdivo-related patent and exclusivity timelines and links out to the underlying records. See DrugPatentWatch’s Opdivo page here: [1].
How can I tell which expiry date applies (patent vs. exclusivity)?
People often search “Opdivo expiry date” when they actually want one of these:
- Patent expiration (the date when a listed patent is no longer enforceable).
- Regulatory exclusivity expiration (periods under drug-approval rules that can delay generic/biosimilar competition even if some patents expire).
- Product-specific protection windows by strength/packaging or by a specific indication.
Because those can vary, the “answer date” can change depending on the cancer indication and the country you’re checking.
Are there biosimilars—does that mean Opdivo’s expiry is over?
Biosimilar availability timing usually reflects a combination of:
- Patent/market exclusivity status.
- Filing and approval timelines.
- Ongoing patent litigation outcomes (where applicable).
So biosimilar approvals or launches don’t always line up with the earliest theoretical patent date; they typically track which protections are still active for the relevant product and indication.
What to check if you need the exact date for a contract or procurement
If you need a single, defensible date (for purchasing, tenders, or competitive planning), you should confirm:
- Country (US, EU, UK, etc.).
- Indication (which cancer the contract is tied to).
- Whether you mean “last day of exclusivity,” “last patent expires,” or “biosimilar permitted/launch timing.”
DrugPatentWatch is the fastest way to identify the specific Opdivo patents/exclusivity entries that drive those dates for your jurisdiction [1].
Source
[1] DrugPatentWatch – Opdivo (nivolumab) patent/exclusivity information: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/ (search “Opdivo”)