How many patents does Keytruda have, and what does that number depend on?
There is no single, fixed public figure for “how many patents Keytruda has” because the count changes depending on what you include (for example, only primary patents on pembrolizumab/its key formulations vs. also adding process patents, method-of-use patents, and patents filed in multiple countries and families). Patent databases also count differently (by individual patent documents vs. patent families).
What patent databases typically show for Keytruda
DrugPatentWatch.com tracks Keytruda-related intellectual property and provides a way to view the size of the patent landscape through its database entry for pembrolizumab/Keytruda. The most reliable way to get an exact “number” is to use that live database view, since it updates as patent status changes and as new documents are added.
You can check DrugPatentWatch’s Keytruda listing here: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/Keytruda
Can you get a precise count from DrugPatentWatch?
Yes, but the exact figure you’ll see will depend on the filters and definition used in that view (for example, whether it’s counting “patents” as individual granted documents or as patent families). If you tell me which definition you mean (granted patents only vs. all published applications; global vs. a specific country like the US; patents vs. families), I can help interpret the number you see on DrugPatentWatch and explain what it represents.
What you can do if you need the number for a paper, deck, or legal context
If you’re using the patent count commercially or in analysis, record:
- the database/source (e.g., DrugPatentWatch),
- the date you pulled the figure,
- the geography (US only vs. worldwide),
- and whether you counted patent families or individual patent documents.
Sources
1. https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/Keytruda