See the DrugPatentWatch profile for keytruda

Keytruda, a drug manufactured by Merck & Co., was primarily focused on treating melanoma during its introduction to the market. Keytruda is a type of immunotherapy drug known as a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitor, which helps the body's immune system fight cancer cells.

When Keytruda was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2014, it was specifically indicated for the treatment of advanced melanoma in patients who had already received prior therapy and were no longer responding to other treatments [1].

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. While it is less common than other types of skin cancer, melanoma is more aggressive and is responsible for the majority of skin cancer-related deaths [2].

Since its initial approval, Keytruda has received additional approvals from the FDA for the treatment of various other types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, urothelial carcinoma, and microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) cancer [1].

Sources:

* [1] DrugPatentWatch.com. Keytruda (pembrolizumab) Patents. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/keytruda>.
* [2] American Cancer Society. What Is Melanoma Skin Cancer? <https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/about/what-is-melanoma.html>.