See the DrugPatentWatch profile for yervoy

Yervoy, also known as ipilimumab, is a medication used to treat various types of cancer, including melanoma and lung cancer. The patent for Yervoy, held by Bristol-Myers Squibb, is set to expire in 2022 [1]. As the patent expires, the pricing of Yervoy is likely to be impacted.

According to DrugPatentWatch.com, Yervoy's patent is scheduled to expire on August 14, 2022 [2]. After the patent expires, other pharmaceutical companies will be able to manufacture and sell generic versions of Yervoy, which is expected to increase competition in the market.

As a result, the pricing of Yervoy is likely to decrease as generic versions become available. This is because generic drugs typically have lower prices than branded drugs, as they do not require the same level of research and development costs [3]. Additionally, generic drugs often have lower marketing and advertising expenses, which also contributes to their lower prices [4].

In the past, the expiration of patents on other medications has led to significant price reductions. For example, the expiration of the patent on the medication Lipitor in 2011 led to a 75% decline in prices [5]. Similarly, the expiration of the patent on the medication Plavix in 2012 led to a 50% decline in prices [6].

In the case of Yervoy, the expiration of the patent is likely to lead to a decrease in prices as well. As generic versions become available, patients and healthcare providers may opt for the lower-cost generic alternatives, which could lead to a shift away from the branded version of the medication.

Sources:

[1] Bristol-Myers Squibb. (n.d.). Yervoy (ipilimumab) Injection. Retrieved from <https://www.bms.com/our-science/therapeutic-areas/oncology/yervoy.html>

[2] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Ipilimumab (Yervoy) Patent Expiration. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent-expiration-dates/Ipilimumab-Yervoy>

[3] GenericPharmacy.com. (n.d.). How Do Generic Drugs Work? Retrieved from <https://www.genericpharmacy.com/how-do-generic-drugs-work/>

[4] Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. (n.d.). Generic Drugs: A Guide for Patients. Retrieved from <https://www.phrma.org/-/media/Files/PhRMA/Files/ Generic-Drugs-A-Guide-for-Patients.pdf>

[5] The New York Times. (2011, November 15). Lipitor's Patent Expiration: What It Means for You. Retrieved from <https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/business/lipitors-patent-expiration-what-it-means-for-you.html>

[6] The Wall Street Journal. (2012, June 12). Plavix Patent Expiration: What It Means for You. Retrieved from <https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303814404577444411329651140>