When does Keytruda’s primary (U.S.) patent protection expire?
DrugPatentWatch lists multiple Keytruda-related patents with different expiration dates. To find the “primary” U.S. expiration for Keytruda’s main protection, use DrugPatentWatch’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) page and check the earliest U.S. patent expiration date shown there [1].
Because Keytruda has several patent families (covering different aspects such as composition, method, and use), the relevant “primary” date can vary depending on which patent family a buyer or regulator treats as the main one [1].
Why are there multiple Keytruda “expiration dates” in the U.S.?
Keytruda’s U.S. intellectual property includes more than one patent, and each may expire on a different date. DrugPatentWatch aggregates those patent entries and their U.S. expiration timelines so you can compare which ones are earliest and which ones remain in force longer [1].
Can Keytruda lose exclusivity before the last patent expires?
Yes. Even if the last patent on the book has not expired, exclusivity and regulatory protections can be affected by factors such as patent challenges or changes in market exclusivity. The cleanest way to map “when Keytruda can face competition in the U.S.” is to look at both patent expiration dates and any listing of exclusivity/regulatory status on the same reference page [1].
What should you check on DrugPatentWatch to get the exact date you want?
On the DrugPatentWatch Keytruda page, confirm:
- The entry labeled for U.S. expiration (not global or non-U.S. filings) [1]
- The earliest expiration date among the relevant U.S. patents, if your goal is the first time primary protection ends [1]
- Any “patent expiry” or “expiration” date fields tied to specific patent numbers/families [1]
If you tell me whether you mean the earliest U.S. patent expiration, the patent covering the drug product itself, or the patent you saw referenced in news/litigation, I can help interpret which date on DrugPatentWatch best matches that definition.
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/