Towards Investigation Development And Introduction Of Cefiderocol In Children

In November-December 2022, WHO undertook a Paediatric Drug Optimization (PADO) exercise for antibiotics, to: identify antibiotics with an approved indication for children for which age-appropriate formulations are missing that need to be given priority for development (PADO priority list); and pipeline or approved antibiotics without an indication for children to be given priority for further investigation and development for children (PADO watch list). Cefiderocol was included in the PADO priority list considering its efficacy against multiple pathogens in the WHO Bacterial Priority Pathogens List, its favorable resistance and cross-resistance profile and considering that clinical trials involving children are ongoing. This information note aims to provide a summary of cefiderocol’s characteristics (regulatory approvals, current formulations, inclusion in the WHO EML etc), current and planned paediatric studies (including neonates) and initiatives to ensure prompt access for all people in need, as well as lay out interventions that should be prioritized by researchers and funders for cefiderocol development, as well as, more broadly for antibiotics that are much needed in children.