WHO releases priorities for research and development of age-appropriate antibiotics

WHO launches today the first ever list of priority paediatric formulations for antibiotics so that more targeted research and development efforts can address the specific needs of infants and children. The scope of this work was to identify antibiotics with an approved paediatric indication for which age-appropriate formulations are missing and that need to be given priority for development. These antibiotics are in the PAediatric Drug Optimization (PADO) priority list and paediatric formulations should be investigated and developed with a time horizon of 3-5 years. The exercise also identified antibiotics under clinical development or approved antibiotics without a pediatric indication to be given priority for further development in children. These antibiotics are in the PADO watch list, and pediatric indications should be studied with a time horizon of 5-10 years.