See the DrugPatentWatch profile for keytruda

Keytruda, a medication produced by Merck & Co., received its first approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of melanoma in 2014. This approval was specifically for patients with advanced melanoma who are no longer responding to other treatments and whose tumors express the PD-L1 protein [1].

The FDA's accelerated approval was based on the results of a clinical trial, which demonstrated that Keytruda significantly improved survival rates and reduced the risk of death compared to chemotherapy [2].

Keytruda, also known as pembrolizumab, is a type of immunotherapy that works by blocking the activity of PD-L1, a protein that helps tumors avoid detection and attack by the immune system [3].

It's important to note that, according to DrugPatentWatch.com, Keytruda's patent is set to expire in 2028, which may lead to the introduction of generic versions of the drug [4].

In summary, Keytruda received FDA approval for the treatment of melanoma in 2014, and its patent is set to expire in 2028.

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] Robert, C., Schachter, J., Long, G. V., Arance, A., Grob, J. J., Mortier, L., ... & Hamid, O. (2015). Pembrolizumab versus ipilimumab in advanced melanoma. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(26), 2521-2532.
[3] National Cancer Institute. (2021). Pembrolizumab. <https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/pembrolizumab>
[4] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Keytruda (pembrolizumab) drug patent prescriptions and side effects. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/keytruda>