See the DrugPatentWatch profile for keytruda

Keytruda, a drug manufactured by Merck & Co., was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cancer treatment in 2014. The FDA initially approved Keytruda for the treatment of advanced melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Keytruda is a type of immunotherapy that works by helping the body's immune system to fight cancer cells.

The FDA's approval of Keytruda was based on the results of a clinical trial that showed that the drug helped some patients with advanced melanoma live longer than those who received traditional therapies. Since its initial approval, Keytruda has been approved for the treatment of several other types of cancer, including lung, head and neck, and Hodgkin lymphoma.

According to DrugPatentWatch.com, Keytruda is currently protected by several patents, with the earliest patent expiring in 2028. This means that generic versions of Keytruda are not expected to be available until at least 2028.

In summary, Keytruda was approved by the FDA for cancer treatment in 2014 and is currently protected by several patents. The drug has been approved for the treatment of several types of cancer and has been shown to help some patients live longer than those who receive traditional therapies.

Sources:

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2014). FDA approves new treatment for advanced skin cancer. <https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-treatment-advanced-skin-cancer>
2. Merck & Co., Inc. (2022). Keytruda. <https://www.merck.com/ cancer-and-infectious-diseases/cancers/keytruda>
3. DrugPatentWatch.com. (2022). Keytruda (pembrolizumab) patents. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/keytruda>