MRK · News · 20260824N

Keytruda Patent Expiration Outlook

Merck & Co., Inc. · 2026-08-24 · Importance 56 · Surprise 42 · In source text

Third-party reports continue to identify Keytruda’s upcoming loss of exclusivity as a competitive risk for Merck’s oncology franchise. One report specifies an impending 2028 patent expiration, which could increase exposure to follow-on competition after Keytruda’s exclusivity period. The risk is being weighed alongside positive Phase 3 results for Merck’s personalized cancer therapy and generally positive analyst sentiment.

Key facts

Impact estimates

metricdirectionstageexpectedbasis
revenuenegativeprobable—Merck & Co., Inc.'s Keytruda has an expected patent expiration in 2028.