Father Claims Experimental Drug Transformed His Autistic Son’s Behavior
A father reports his autistic son showed dramatic improvement after taking an experimental drug, sparking hope for new autism treatments.
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A father says an experimental autism drug dramatically improved his four-and-a-half-year-old son’s behavior, helping him connect with his family after years of struggle. Lev Bielski, a Wall Street executive, reported that his son, who previously withdrew from family and had difficulty making eye contact, began engaging with loved ones almost overnight after receiving L1-79 through the FDA’s expanded-access program.
Drug Shows Promise in Treating Social Challenges
L1-79, developed by Yamo Pharmaceuticals, is designed to improve social interaction, an area that current FDA-approved autism medications do not directly address. The drug remains experimental and has not yet received FDA approval. Bielski, who has become an outspoken advocate for the treatment, compared it to the “Ozempic of autism,” predicting it could revolutionize the field.
Positive Results Reported in Trials
Early studies of L1-79 have reported improvements, though further testing is needed. A 2019 case series published in Clinical Therapeutics followed eight people with autism who received the drug for eight weeks. Seven showed improvements on behavioral rating scales, and four of the six assessed with a separate autism diagnostic tool also improved. The authors noted that the findings need confirmation in double-blind studies.
Bielski and Wife Invest in Yamo
Bielski and his wife have personally invested in Yamo Pharmaceuticals, which is currently seeking additional funding for phase three trials. The company has received FDA Fast Track designation and is moving toward phase three trials in 2027. Yamo’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tom Megerian, described L1-79 as “a new treatment candidate aimed at social connection, not a cure.”
Family Life Transformed
Before receiving the drug, Lev was at risk of requiring more restrictive measures to prevent self-harm. Now, his father says, Lev plays with his older sister, enjoys swimming, and cuddles with his parents. “He went from the least affectionate kid to the most affectionate kid almost overnight,” Bielski said.
Other Families Report Similar Improvements
Other families featured in the report described improvements in communication and social interaction while their children received L1-79. In a video cited by the Post, one parent, Corrie Niesse, said her daughter, Payton, began talking much more after taking the drug and was able to have conversations with her. Payton later expressed a desire to continue the medication.
Bielski Launches Autism-Focused ETF
Bielski has also launched an Autism Impact ETF through his investment firm, Defiance ETFs, which has pledged to donate all of the fund’s net advisory profits during its first two years to autism-related causes.
Source: Daily Wire
