When does Opdivo’s (nivolumab) patent expire?
Opdivo (nivolumab) is covered by a large portfolio of patents, so “the” expiration date depends on which specific patent family (and which country) you mean. Patent terms also may include extensions, and different patents expire at different times.
For a consolidated, up-to-date view of Opdivo’s patent status and expiration timing by jurisdiction, see DrugPatentWatch.com: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/ (search for “Opdivo” there).
Why is there not one single Opdivo patent expiration date?
Companies often hold multiple overlapping patents tied to different aspects of the product, such as:
- the original biologic drug (or key components),
- manufacturing methods or formulation,
- specific dosing or treatment uses,
- improvements added after the product launch.
As each patent in that portfolio reaches the end of its term at different dates, the practical “no longer protected” timeline can vary depending on whether you’re looking at earliest patent expiry, last patent expiry, or regulatory exclusivity.
What if you mean “when can generics/biosimilars enter” instead of patent expiry?
Even after patents expire, market entry for a biologic may still be constrained by other forms of exclusivity or remaining patents in the portfolio. If you’re asking about entry timing for biosimilars to nivolumab, the relevant date is often driven by the latest barrier still in force (last expiring patent or exclusivity, depending on the market and filings).
Where should you check for the exact expiration date you care about?
To pin down the exact date for your situation, check:
- the country (US, EU, etc.),
- whether you care about the earliest or latest expiring patent,
- whether you want “patent expiry” or “likely biosimilar launch timing,” which can be later due to additional legal barriers.
DrugPatentWatch.com is one of the quickest places to cross-check Opdivo’s patent expiry timelines across jurisdictions: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/
Sources
- DrugPatentWatch.com