Pharma Patent Cliffby readouts.io
Loss of exclusivity · Oncology

Keytruda patent expiration

Keytruda (Merck) is expected to face US biosimilar competition from 2028. Primary US compound patent expires December 2028. Includes subcutaneous Keytruda Qlex. EU exclusivity to 2031.

US loss of exclusivity
2028Company guidance
2025 worldwide sales
$31.7BMerck
Therapeutic area
Oncology
US competition from
BiosimilarsUS date shown

What the date means

Keytruda's US exclusivity date is based on company guidance. The date comes from the company's own filings or guidance. Secondary patents, new formulations or litigation can still move it. It is a biologic, so copies are biosimilars. Biosimilars are harder to make and usually erode sales more gradually than generics.

What's at stake for Merck

Keytruda is 49% of Merck's 2025 revenue ($31.7B of $65.0B). With Gardasil, the drugs tracked here add up to 57% of Merck's revenue losing US exclusivity by 2028.

Bars show each company's tracked drugs as a share of its total 2025 revenue. Keytruda is highlighted.

Other blockbusters losing US exclusivity in 2028

Sources

  1. Merck FY2025
  2. Merck 10-K
See all 26 drugs on the patent cliff →