The impending patent expiry (June 2028) of the expensive cancer drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab) opens the door for affordable Indian biosimilars. Seven domestic firms are in development, which could slash prices by ~70% and reduce import dependency, aided by the new ₹10,000 crore Bio Pharma SHAKTI scheme.
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- ›Keytruda Patent Expiry: June 2028
- ›Current Cost per 200mg Dose: > ₹3 lakh
- ›Target this Data: Patent expiry of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) - June 2028.
- ›Target this Nodal Body: Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) under Ministry of Health.
- ›Target this Scheme: Bio Pharma SHAKTI - ₹10,000 crore for domestic biosimilars.
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