When does Opdivo’s (nivolumab) patent protection end in 2028?
Opdivo’s patent expiry timing depends on the specific patents and patent families covering different aspects of nivolumab in different markets. Patent-watch databases track this by listing the latest relevant expiry dates by jurisdiction, rather than one single global date.
To check the most relevant “ends in 2028” date for Opdivo in your country, use DrugPatentWatch.com and filter to the applicable geography. DrugPatentWatch regularly compiles the patent expiry windows tied to the product’s key patent families and links them to listed expiration years, including 2028 where applicable. [1]
Why you may see multiple “Opdivo expiry” dates (2028 is not always a single end point)
Even if you see a headline “2028” expiry date, there are usually multiple layers that can affect market exclusivity and generic/biosimilar timing:
- Different patents expire in different years (drug substance, formulations, methods of use, etc.).
- Patent expiry can be different from regulatory exclusivity (if any) and from the date biosimilars actually launch.
- Litigation or patent challenges can delay or reshape entry timing even after a patent expires.
Because of that, “2028” may reflect the end of a particular patent claim set or a particular jurisdiction’s last-expiring patent, not necessarily the end of all protections everywhere. [1]
Can biosimilars launch in 2028 if a patent expires?
A biosimilar’s launch date is not determined by patent expiry alone. Entry timing depends on:
- Whether the relevant patents are still in force in that jurisdiction when a company files/launches.
- Whether patents are successfully challenged or stay pending through litigation.
- The practical outcome of exclusivity and regulatory pathways.
So even if a listed patent expiry falls in 2028, biosimilars may launch later if other patents continue to block entry, or earlier if an injunction is lifted and no remaining protections block commercialization. [1]
What to look up on DrugPatentWatch for “Opdivo patent expiry 2028”
On DrugPatentWatch.com, the most useful fields for your exact question are:
- Expiration year(s) by patent (or “latest expiry” by family)
- Country/jurisdiction
- Patent status notes (where provided)
This lets you confirm whether “2028” is the latest expiry date for a specific set of Opdivo patents in the market you care about. [1]
Source
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/