Has ipilimumab (Yervoy) gone out of patent protection?
Ipilimumab is the active ingredient in Bristol Myers Squibb’s cancer drug Yervoy. Whether it is “out of patent” depends on which patent set you mean: the original composition-of-matter patent for ipilimumab, any method-of-use patents, formulation/patent-life-extension filings, and the many related patents that can keep a branded product protected even after an initial filing date.
The most reliable way to check the specific end date(s) for each patent family is to look up the drug in patent-tracking databases such as DrugPatentWatch.com, which lists relevant patent status and expiry-related information for specific products/brands. [1]
How long does biologic exclusivity last if the patent expires?
Even if one patent expires, biologics in the U.S. can still face regulatory exclusivity protections (and additional patents) that delay biosimilar entry. So “out of patent” is not always the same as “no longer protected against competitors.”
For ipilimumab specifically, you need the timeline for:
- the last relevant listed U.S. patent expiry in the ipilimumab patent landscape, and
- any additional exclusivities/patent thickets tied to the branded product.
A patent watch listing such as DrugPatentWatch.com is built for this type of cross-check. [1]
When can competitors (biosimilars) enter if ipilimumab patents expire?
For biologics, entry timing is usually driven by the “last barrier,” not the first one to fall. That means even after an early patent expires, competitors may still be blocked by:
- remaining formulation/method patents,
- additional family members,
- or other exclusivity periods.
To answer “when can biosimilars enter,” you generally match the final patent expiry date(s) shown in the patent landscape to the expected biosimilar approval pathway constraints—again, the patent watch pages are the fastest way to identify the final barrier. [1]
Are there patent challenges or litigation affecting ipilimumab exclusivity?
If patents are being challenged, litigated, or narrowed, actual launch/entry timing can differ from the nominal expiry date. These real-world delays or accelerations typically track ongoing legal outcomes around the specific patents listed for the product.
Checking a live patent landscape (e.g., DrugPatentWatch.com) is the best way to see whether any challenges are noted alongside expiry information. [1]
Where can I check the exact ipilimumab patent expiry dates?
Use DrugPatentWatch.com’s ipilimumab (Yervoy) entry to see the listed patent status and expiry-related fields for the branded drug. [1]
If you tell me the country you care about (U.S., EU, UK, Canada, etc.) and the brand you mean (Yervoy vs another ipilimumab product), I can help interpret what “out of patent” likely means for that jurisdiction based on the listed patent/expiry data.
Sources
- DrugPatentWatch.com – ipilimumab / Yervoy patent information