» Articles » PMID: 36130314

Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective to Improve Development of Drugs for Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Background And Aims: Despite recent approvals for new drugs to treat adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, there are only two approved advanced treatment options [infliximab and adalimumab] for children with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. There are many potential new therapies being developed for adult and paediatric IBD. Moreover, regulatory agencies in both the European Union and USA have processes in place to support the early planning and initiation of paediatric studies. Nevertheless, unacceptable delays in approvals for use of drugs in children persist, with an average 7-year gap, or longer, between authorization of new IBD drugs for adults and children.

Methods: A 2-day virtual meeting was held during April 14-15, 2021 for multi-stakeholders [clinical academics, patient community, pharmaceutical companies and regulators] to discuss their perspectives on paediatric drug development for IBD.

Results: The multi-stakeholder group presented, discussed and proposed actions to achieve expediting the approval of new drugs in development for paediatric IBD.

Conclusions: Collaborative action points for all stakeholders are required to make progress and facilitate new drug development for children with IBD.

Citing Articles

Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children: Current Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies.

Bhalla A, Shahi A, Maity M, Safa F, Srividya V, Clementina R Cureus. 2025; 17(2):e78462.

PMID: 40051947 PMC: 11883196. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.78462.


Drug Repurposing in Pancreatic Cancer: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective to Improve Treatment Options for Pancreatic Cancer Patients.

Hewitt E, Bouche G, Alencar A, Bigelsen S, Radu R, Stoyanova-Beninska V Cancer Manag Res. 2025; 17:429-440.

PMID: 40046652 PMC: 11881603. DOI: 10.2147/CMAR.S483151.


[Position paper of the Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (GPGE) on the off-label use of biologics and signal inhibitors in children and adolescents with IBD that have already been approved for adults].

Dabritz J, Classen M, Krohn K, Krahl A, Buderus S, Lainka E Z Gastroenterol. 2025; 63(3):255-268.

PMID: 39961333 PMC: 11893210. DOI: 10.1055/a-2474-3104.


[Inflammatory bowel diseases in children and adolescents : An overview with particular attention to genetic testing].

Schwerd T Inn Med (Heidelb). 2025; 66(1):31-39.

PMID: 39774688 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-024-01827-8.


Considerations in Paediatric and Adolescent Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Vuijk S, Camman A, de Ridder L J Crohns Colitis. 2024; 18(Supplement_2):ii31-ii45.

PMID: 39475081 PMC: 11523044. DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjae087.


References
1.
Crowley E, Ma C, Andic M, Feagan B, Griffiths A, Jairath V . Impact of Drug Approval Pathways for Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease. J Crohns Colitis. 2021; 16(2):331-335. DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjab140. View

2.
Bousvaros A, Sylvester F, Kugathasan S, Szigethy E, Fiocchi C, Colletti R . Challenges in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2006; 12(9):885-913. DOI: 10.1097/01.mib.0000228358.25364.8b. View

3.
Ashton J, Borca F, Mossotto E, Coelho T, Batra A, Afzal N . Increased prevalence of anti-TNF therapy in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease is associated with a decline in surgical resections during childhood. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2019; 49(4):398-407. DOI: 10.1111/apt.15094. View

4.
Freckmann M, Seipp A, Laass M, Koletzko S, Classen M, Ballauff A . School-related experience and performance with inflammatory bowel disease: results from a cross-sectional survey in 675 children and their parents. BMJ Open Gastroenterol. 2018; 5(1):e000236. PMC: 6254744. DOI: 10.1136/bmjgast-2018-000236. View

5.
Benchimol E, Bernstein C, Bitton A, Murthy S, Nguyen G, Lee K . The Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada 2018: A Scientific Report from the Canadian Gastro-Intestinal Epidemiology Consortium to Crohn's and Colitis Canada. J Can Assoc Gastroenterol. 2019; 2(Suppl 1):S1-S5. PMC: 6512240. DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwy052. View