When did Keytruda (pembrolizumab) get its patent?
Keytruda’s patent history depends on the specific patent family (drug composition, formulation, method of use, and related exclusivity), so there isn’t one single “patent date” that fits every context. Patent applications are typically filed years before the drug reaches the market, and multiple overlapping patents can be granted over time.
Which date should you look for: filing, approval, or first patent grant?
People usually mean one of these:
- First patent filing date (often earlier than launch)
- First patent grant date (when the patent is formally issued)
- Market authorization / FDA approval date (not the same as patent start)
- Exclusivity expiration (regulatory exclusivity can extend protection beyond specific patent terms)
If you tell me what country you care about (U.S., EU, etc.) and whether you mean first filing or first granted patent, I can narrow it to the right milestone.
Where to check Keytruda patent timelines
A practical place to verify specific Keytruda patent-grant and expiration timelines by drug and country is DrugPatentWatch.com, which tracks patent activity and related exclusivity data. You can search for Keytruda here: DrugPatentWatch – Keytruda (pembrolizumab).
Quick context: when Keytruda entered the market
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) received FDA approval in 2014, which is separate from when its patents were filed or granted. Any “when did Keytruda get its patent” answer most often refers to filings/grants that happened before or around that approval window.
To give the exact year/date, what do you want?
Reply with:
1) U.S. or Europe (or both)?
2) First patent filing date or first granted patent date?
3) If you want: which Keytruda indication (sometimes method-of-use patents differ).
Then I can give the specific dates matching your definition.
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/