John Gaitanis, MD, recently appointed as chair of the federal Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), has co-founded a telehealth company that provides leucovorin to families of children with autism.
Company Overview
Meadow Biosciences, now known as Meadow Health, launched in April and markets itself as the “first national telehealth platform dedicated to leucovorin care for children with autism.” The company claims to deliver clinician-guided care through custom-compounded medications directly to patients’ homes.
Although Gaitanis has a prominent role in autism research, he is not actively involved in the day-to-day operations of Meadow Health and is not mentioned on the company’s website.
John Slattery, Meadow Health’s co-founder and CEO, stated that Gaitanis divested his financial interest in the company prior to accepting his position as NICHD director.
Ethics and Concerns
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) confirmed that Gaitanis is adhering to all relevant ethics guidelines. His predecessor, Sylvia Fogel, MD, expressed confidence in the ethics review processes of both the IACC and HHS, stating there are no conflicts of interest.
However, Art Caplan, PhD, a medical ethics professor, voiced concerns regarding the evidence supporting leucovorin’s efficacy for autism, highlighting potential conflicts surrounding appointments linked to unproven alternative treatments.
Leucovorin’s Use in Autism
Leucovorin, or folinic acid, is primarily used in conjunction with cancer treatments to mitigate toxicity and has gained attention for its use among children with autism. Reports indicated a significant increase in prescriptions after media coverage in early 2025 and subsequent governmental discussions promoting the unvalidated use of the drug.
In the previous year, the FDA began reviewing modifications to leucovorin’s prescription label to allow its use for children and adults with cerebral folate deficiency, a rare condition associated with developmental delays including autistic traits. Nonetheless, subsequent updates significantly narrowed the focus to a specific ultra-rare genetic disorder.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Fuente: https://www.medpagetoday.com/washington-watch/washington-watch/123124
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