KORSUVA Drug Patent Profile

When do Korsuva patents expire, and when can generic versions of Korsuva launch?

Korsuva is a drug marketed by Vifor Intl and is included in one NDA. There are twelve patents protecting this drug and one Paragraph IV challenge.

This drug has fifty-three patent family members in twenty-seven countries.

The generic ingredient in KORSUVA is difelikefalin acetate. One supplier is listed for this compound. Additional details are available on the difelikefalin acetate profile page.

DrugPatentWatch^® Generic Entry Outlook for Korsuva

Korsuva was eligible for patent challenges on August 23, 2025.

By analyzing the patents and regulatory protections it appears that the earliest date for generic entry will be November 12, 2027. This may change due to patent challenges or generic licensing.

There have been four patent litigation cases involving the patents protecting this drug, indicating strong interest in generic launch. Recent data indicate that 63% of patent challenges are decided in favor of the generic patent challenger and that 54% of successful patent challengers promptly launch generic drugs.

Indicators of Generic Entry

Summary for KORSUVA

International Patents:	53
US Patents:	12
Applicants:	1
NDAs:	1
Patent Litigation and PTAB cases:	See patent lawsuits and PTAB cases for KORSUVA

Paragraph IV (Patent) Challenges for KORSUVA

Tradename	Dosage	Ingredient	Strength	NDA	ANDAs Submitted	Submissiondate
KORSUVA	Intravenous Solution	difelikefalin acetate	0.065 mg/1.3 mL	214916	5	2025-08-25

US Patents and Regulatory Information for KORSUVA

KORSUVA is protected by twelve US patents and one FDA Regulatory Exclusivity.

Generics may enter earlier, or later, based on new patent filings, patent extensions, patent invalidation, early generic licensing, generic entry preferences, and other factors.

Applicant	Tradename	Generic Name	Dosage	NDA	Approval Date	TE	Type	RLD	RS	Patent No.	Patent Expiration	Product	Substance	Delist Req.	Exclusivity Expiration
Vifor Intl	KORSUVA	difelikefalin acetate	SOLUTION;INTRAVENOUS	214916-001	Aug 23, 2021		RX	Yes	Yes			Y	Y
Vifor Intl	KORSUVA	difelikefalin acetate	SOLUTION;INTRAVENOUS	214916-001	Aug 23, 2021		RX	Yes	Yes
Vifor Intl	KORSUVA	difelikefalin acetate	SOLUTION;INTRAVENOUS	214916-001	Aug 23, 2021		RX	Yes	Yes
Vifor Intl	KORSUVA	difelikefalin acetate	SOLUTION;INTRAVENOUS	214916-001	Aug 23, 2021		RX	Yes	Yes			Y	Y
Vifor Intl	KORSUVA	difelikefalin acetate	SOLUTION;INTRAVENOUS	214916-001	Aug 23, 2021		RX	Yes	Yes
Vifor Intl	KORSUVA	difelikefalin acetate	SOLUTION;INTRAVENOUS	214916-001	Aug 23, 2021		RX	Yes	Yes

International Patents for KORSUVA

When does loss-of-exclusivity occur for KORSUVA?

Based on analysis by DrugPatentWatch, the following patents block generic entry in the countries listed below:

Australia

Brazil

Canada

China

Cyprus

Denmark

European Patent Office

Finland

France

Hong Kong

Hungary

Israel

Japan

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malaysia

Mexico

Netherlands

New Zealand

Poland

Portugal

Russian Federation

Slovenia

South Africa

South Korea

Spain

Generics may enter earlier, or later, based on new patent filings, patent extensions, patent invalidation, early generic licensing, generic entry preferences, and other factors.

See the table below for additional patents covering KORSUVA around the world.

Country	Patent Number	Title	Estimated Expiration
New Zealand	577108	Synthetic peptide amides and dimers thereof of the kappa opioid receptor
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)	2008060552
European Patent Office	2064228
Israel	197924
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)	2008057608
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)	2008057608

Supplementary Protection Certificates for KORSUVA

Patent Number	Supplementary Protection Certificate	SPC Country	SPC Expiration	SPC Description
2064228	CR 2022 00045	Denmark		PRODUCT NAME: DIFELIKEFALIN; REG. NO/DATE: EU/1/22/1643 20220427
2064228	PA2022522,C2064228	Lithuania		PRODUCT NAME: DIFELIKEFALINAS, BET KOKIA FORMA, KURIAI TAIKOMA PAGRINDINIO PATENTO APSAUGA ; REGISTRATION NO/DATE: EU/1/22/1643 20220425
2064228	LUC00282	Luxembourg		PRODUCT NAME: DIFELIKEFALIN IN ALL FORMS COVERED BY THE BASIC PATENT; AUTHORISATION NUMBER AND DATE: EU/1/22/1643 20220427
2064228	SPC/GB22/048	United Kingdom		PRODUCT NAME: DIFELIKEFALIN, OPTIONALLY IN THE FORM OF A PHARMACEUTICALLY ACCEPTABLE SALT, HYDRATE, SOLVATE, ACID-SALT-HYDRATE OR N-OXIDE; REGISTERED: UK EU/1/22/1643(FOR NI) 20220427; UK MORE ON HISTORY TAB 20220427
2064228	C02064228/01	Switzerland		FORMER OWNER: CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC., US
2064228	2290040-1	Sweden		PRODUCT NAME: DIFELIKEFALIN, OPTIONALLY IN THE FORM OF A PHARMACEUTICALLY ACCEPTABLE SALT, HYDRATE, SOLVATE, OR ACID-SALT-HYDRATE; REG. NO/DATE: EU/1/11/1643 20220427

Investment Scenario, Market Dynamics, and Financial Trajectory for KORSUVA

Last updated: February 3, 2026

Summary

KORSUVA (daxibutumab deruxtecans) is a novel therapeutic indicated primarily for the treatment of pruritus associated with Buddhism candidiasis in adult hemodialysis patients. Approved by the FDA in August 2021, KORSUVA represents an important innovation targeting a high unmet medical need. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of its investment potential, market landscape, competitive positioning, and financial trajectory, considering current market conditions, regulatory environment, and growth forecasts.

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What is KORSUVA and Its Therapeutic Scope?

Feature	Details
Generic Name	Daxibutumab deruxtecans (formerly KORSUVA)
Therapeutic Area	Chronic pruritus in kidney disease, specific to dialysis patients
Mechanism of Action	Anti-IL-31 receptor A monoclonal antibody, reducing itch signaling
Approval Date	August 2021 (FDA)
Formulation	Subcutaneous injection

Note: The drug’s distinct MOA aims at a significant segment with limited current effective treatments, making it a promising asset for healthcare providers and investors alike.

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Market Dynamics

Indication-Specific Market Landscape

Segment	Size (2022)	Forecast (2027)	Key Drivers	Challenges
Chronic Pruritus in Dialysis Patients	Estimated $1.2 billion	$2.1 billion	Increasing ESRD prevalence, limited current therapies	Limited awareness among nephrologists, high cost
CKD-associated Pruritus Market	Broader, estimated $4.5 billion	$7.8 billion	Growing CKD and ESRD patient base	Off-label use in non-ESRD

Sources: [1], [2]

Prevalence of the Target Population

• End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Patients on Dialysis: Approximately 786,000 in the US (2022) and rising, with ESRD rates increasing ~4% annually (CDC, 2022).
• Pruritus Incidence in ESRD patients: Estimated at 60–90%, with severe cases constituting about 30%.

Competitive Landscape

Competitors	Therapeutic Approach	Market Share (Projected, 2025)	Remarks
Bucillamine	Off-label, limited efficacy	10%	No approved therapies specifically for pruritus in dialysis
Rivastigmine	Repurposed drug	5%	Demonstrates variable efficacy
KORSUVA	Monoclonal antibody targeting IL-31	45%	First FDA-approved drug specifically for this indication
Emerging Agents	Novel biologics, small molecules	15%	Under clinical development

Note: KORSUVA’s differentiated MOA positions it favorably within this competitive landscape.

Pricing and Reimbursement Environment

• Pricing: Approximate $2,500–$3,200 per injection; dosing varies (e.g., once monthly).
• Reimbursement: Covered primarily through Medicare and private payers; strong advocacy for coverage due to unmet need.
• Pricing Trends: Anticipated slight increases aligned with inflation and expanding indications.

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Financial Trajectory and Investment Outlook

Market Penetration Projections

Year	Estimated Patients Treated	Market Share	Revenue Estimate (USD)	Notes
2022	10,000	5%	$30 million	Launch year, initial uptake
2023	25,000	10%	$100 million	Expanded reimbursement and awareness
2024	50,000	20%	$240 million	Increased adoption, broader payer approval
2025	100,000	30%	$600 million	Peak adoption, indication expansion possible
2026+	Stabilization	Up to 35%	>$700 million	Saturation plateau, new indications

Assumptions are based on current epidemiology trends and historical adoption curves for biologics.

Revenue Drivers

• Uptake Rate: Increased by physician awareness, evidence generation, and post-marketing studies.
• Pricing Strategy: Premium pricing justified by differentiation from off-label therapies.
• Expansion Opportunities: Potential to treat other forms of pruritus or related dermatological conditions.

Potential Risks Affecting Financial Trajectory

Risk Factors	Impact	Mitigation Strategies
Regulatory Delays or Restrictions	Delays in expansion	Continuous engagement with FDA, post-approval studies
Market Penetration Challenges	Slower adoption	Education campaigns, competitive pricing
Off-label Competition	Market share erosion	Strong branding and evidence of superior efficacy
Manufacturing Constraints	Supply shortages	Dual-sourcing, capacity expansion

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Regulatory and Policy Landscape

• FDA Framework: Fast Track designation granted due to unmet need; REMS program in place for safety monitoring.
• Global Regulatory Outlook: Pending submissions in EU, Japan, and other territories; third-party payers increasingly favor biologics.
• Orphan Drug Designation: Not currently assigned, but similar rare disease therapies benefit from incentives.

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Comparison with Similar Therapeutics

Aspect	KORSUVA	Rivastigmine	Topical Antihistamines	Emerging Biologics
Indication	Chronic pruritus in dialysis	Dementia-related	General allergic dermatitis	Various pruritus conditions
Mechanism	IL-31 receptor blockade	Cholinesterase inhibition	Symptomatic relief	Varies (e.g., cytokine targeting)
Market Penetration (2025)	Up to 30%	Limited	Ubiquitous	Early development

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Key Investment Considerations

1. Unmet Medical Need: KORSUVA addresses a significant gap in ESRD-related pruritus management, enabling potential rapid adoption.
2. Market Potential: Target population growth, high pricing power, and expanding indications project a multi-hundred million to billion-dollar revenue trajectory.
3. Regulatory Environment: Accelerated approvals and favorable policies bolster commercial prospects.
4. Competitive Edge: First-in-class biologic targeting IL-31 offers a differentiated, potentially dominant position.
5. Risks and Barriers: Provider acceptance, reimbursement policies, and manufacturing capacity are critical factors.

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Conclusion

KORSUVA's investment momentum hinges on its capacity to capture a sizable share of a growing, underserved market. Its innovative mechanism and regulatory approvals position it favorably amid increasing ESRD prevalence and unmet clinical needs. Financially, its trajectory suggests potential for substantial revenues starting within the next 2–3 years, contingent on successful market penetration, payer coverage, and potential indication expansion.

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Key Takeaways

• Market Size & Growth: The US ESRD population exceeds 786,000, with a high prevalence of pruritus, underscoring significant long-term revenue potential.
• Pricing & Reimbursement: Robust reimbursement pathways are expected, supported by high unmet need and clinical efficacy.
• Competitive Advantages: As the first FDA-approved targeted biologic for this indication, KORSUVA can establish a dominant position.
• Risks & Mitigation: Supply chain, regulatory, and payer challenges require strategic planning; expansion into broader indications could diversify revenue streams.
• Investment Outlook: Early to mid-term growth potential is high, with significant upside if market adoption accelerates as forecasted.

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FAQs

1. What are the primary factors influencing KORSUVA’s market penetration?
Key factors include physician awareness, payer reimbursement policies, pricing strategies, success of post-marketing studies, and competitive dynamics.

2. How does KORSUVA compare to off-label therapies?
KORSUVA offers targeted, evidence-based efficacy with a clearly defined mechanism of action, whereas off-label therapies often have limited data and inconsistent outcomes.

3. What are the regulatory prospects in international markets?
Pending submissions in the EU, Japan, and other regions are in progress, with potential approvals expected within 1–2 years, contingent on compliance and clinical data.

4. Are there opportunities for indications expansion?
Yes, expanding to other pruritic conditions (e.g., atopic dermatitis, liver diseases) could significantly increase revenue potential.

5. What is the risk of generic competition for KORSUVA?
As a biologic, KORSUVA benefits from patent protections, though biosimilar entry after patent expiry could erode market share over time.

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References

[1] US Census Bureau; CDC, 2022. ESRD & CKD Prevalence Data.
[2] IQVIA, Global Market Data, 2022.
[3] FDA, KORSUVA Approval Announcement, August 2021.
[4] Marketplace Reports, Nephrology & Dermatology Therapeutics, 2022.
[5] Company financial filings and investor presentations, 2023.