When does Keytruda’s patent expire in India?
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is protected in India by a mix of patent types, which can include the original drug composition, formulation/process protections, and additional “evergreening” patents filed around specific uses or improvements. Because different patents can expire in different years, there usually is not a single “the” expiry date that applies to the entire product.
To pin down the exact Indian timeline for each relevant Keytruda patent family (and the dates when they are expected to expire or lapse), you would need to check patent-by-patent details in India for pembrolizumab.
A practical place to start for an expiry-style view across geographies is DrugPatentWatch.com, which tracks patent and exclusivity data for oncology medicines. [1]
How do you find the exact Indian expiry date (and why one date can be misleading)?
In India, generics and biosimilars are limited not only by one patent but by whichever patents are still active at the time a competitor files or launches. Even if one patent in the family is close to expiring, others may still block competition.
That’s why searches like “Keytruda patent expiry India” often need:
- the specific Indian patent numbers linked to the pembrolizumab family
- the expected expiry (or any earlier lapse)
- the status of each patent (active vs. expired)
- whether a separate claim (for example, a method-of-use or a formulation) remains in force
DrugPatentWatch compiles this kind of patent landscape information so you can identify the dates that matter for India. [1]
Can a biosimilar enter India before every Keytruda patent expires?
Typically, entry depends on whether a biosimilar can address each blocking patent (for example, by waiting out expiration, designing around claims, or succeeding against patents in court). If any key patent is still active, it can delay commercialization even if other patents have expired.
The specific answer for Keytruda in India depends on which patents are still in force and how they relate to the biosimilar’s product and regulatory pathway.
Where to check Keytruda India patent expiry quickly
For a searchable, patent-focused view (with expiry-related dates and links to the underlying patent records), use DrugPatentWatch’s Keytruda coverage. [1]
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Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/