When did BMS lose the patent protection for Opdivo?
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) did not “lose the patent” for Opdivo (nivolumab) in a single, definitive moment. What typically happens for biologics like Opdivo is that patent rights expire in phases, and different patents (method, formulation, combinations, manufacturing, and newer follow-on claims) can end at different times—depending on the country and specific patent.
Because the exact “lost patent” date depends on which jurisdiction and which specific Opdivo patent you mean, the provided information is not enough to give a precise date.
Which patents usually determine when Opdivo competition starts?
For Opdivo, competition timing is usually driven by a mix of:
- Expiration dates of primary composition-of-matter or key exclusivity-related patents.
- Follow-on patents (for example, specific dosing/use, manufacturing, or combinations).
- Regulatory exclusivity periods and biosimilar pathways in each country.
Those factors can mean “patent expiration” and “first legal biosimilar entry” don’t happen on the same day.
What’s the fastest way to get the exact year/date?
If you share either of the following, I can pin down the relevant date(s):
- The country (U.S., EU/UK, etc.), and whether you mean the earliest patent expiry or the date a biosimilar entered.
- The patent or patent family you’re referring to (or a link to the source you saw).
Common point of confusion: patent expiry vs. biosimilar launch
Even after patents expire, biosimilar (or interchangeable) products may take additional time for:
- Approval review and labeling.
- Market access and contracting.
- Patent litigation outcomes (where applicable).
So “BMS lost the patent” can be an oversimplification of a longer transition.
Sources
No sources were provided in your message, so I can’t cite a specific “loss date” accurately.