keytruda to Opdivo

2 things:

1. Opdivo has submitted for an every 4 week infusion. Keytruda has counter submitted. So there is a race for how infrequently you can get immunotherapy with the same effectiveness.

2. Keytruda (Merck) has a program where they cover all insured patient costs beyond $25. They reimburse whatever amount is charged to the patient (not paid by insurance) beyond $25/infusion.

i also believe that Opdivo and Keytruda are the same but if one is working for you then I would like to help you stay on that one.

They are both anti-PD1 drugs made by different companies, so yes basically the same drug, it is using the same immune pathway either way. Opdivo is every 2 weeks whereas Keytruda is every 3 weeks, so I totally understand the frustration in having to go more often. I did it for a year, sucked, but do-able. Insurance companies sure love to make our lives more complicated than it needs to be sometimes. 

Hi ajpeterson, just to add to what movingon gave you above is a link to the application by BMS that is to ruled on by March but things have been moving pretty quick in Immunotherapy approvals lately so it may come in earlier!!! Also, according to the courts who ruled on a patent infringement case, where Merck had to pay BMS some where around 650 million plus 6 or 7% royalities on all Pembro sales until 2026, Merck copied BMS drug Nivo, which they bought from a Japanesse company Ono. https://news.bms.com/press-release/corporatefinancial-news/us-food-and-drug-administration-accepts-bristol-myers-squibbs-