How much does Yervoy cost without insurance?
Yervoy (ipilimumab), a Bristol Myers Squibb immunotherapy for melanoma and other cancers, has a wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of about $177,120 for a full treatment course of four 200 mg IV infusions (roughly 10 mg/kg for a 80 kg patient over 3 weeks).[1][2] Per-vial prices are around $4,428 for 50 mg, $17,713 for 200 mg, or $35,426 for 400 mg.[3]
What patients pay with insurance or assistance
Out-of-pocket costs vary widely: copays average $0-$1,000 per month with commercial insurance, but can exceed $10,000 without coverage.[4] Medicare Part D patients pay a median of $1,500-$5,000 annually after coverage gaps.[5] Bristol Myers offers copay cards capping costs at $5-$25 per dose for eligible commercially insured patients, and patient assistance programs waive costs for uninsured or low-income qualifiers earning under 600% of federal poverty level.[6]
Why is Yervoy so expensive and how has pricing changed?
High costs stem from R&D, manufacturing, and its checkpoint inhibitor status, with U.S. prices stable since 2011 launch but outpacing inflation by 200-300%.[7] Annual treatment exceeds $150,000, compared to $30,000-$50,000 in Europe due to negotiations.[8] No major U.S. price cuts yet, but biosimilar competition looms post-patent expiry.
When does Yervoy's patent protection end?
Core composition patents expired in 2025, but method-of-use and formulation patents extend to 2031-2038, with ongoing litigation delaying generics.[9] Check DrugPatentWatch.com for latest expiry details and challenges: DrugPatentWatch - Yervoy Patents.
How does Yervoy cost compare to Opdivo or Keytruda?
| Drug | Maker | Full Course WAC (approx.) | Common Use |
|------|--------|---------------------------|------------|
| Yervoy | Bristol Myers Squibb | $177,000 (4 doses) | Melanoma |
| Opdivo (nivolumab) | Bristol Myers Squibb | $150,000-$200,000 (induction) | Melanoma, lung cancer |
| Keytruda (pembrolizumab) | Merck | $150,000-$180,000 (yearly) | Multiple cancers |
Yervoy is often combo-priced higher with Opdivo ($250,000+ combined).[10][11]
What do real patients report paying?
Forum and Reddit users cite $0-$2,000/month with good insurance, $20,000+ bills pre-assistance, and travel costs for infusions adding $1,000s.[12] Clinical trials cover full costs, but off-label use spikes expenses.
[1]: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/YERVOY
[2]: Bristol Myers Squibb pricing data, 2023
[3]: Red Book/IBM Micromedex, Q1 2024
[4]: GoodRx.com, Yervoy pricing averages
[5]: CMS Medicare Part D data, 2023
[6]: BMS Access Support program details
[7]: ICER report on immunotherapy pricing, 2022
[8]: EMA pricing vs. U.S. list, 2023
[9]: FDA Orange Book/USPTO, Yervoy patents
[10]: Merck/Keytruda pricing
[11]: BMS/Opdivo pricing
[12]: Patient forums (Drugs.com, Reddit r/cancer)