Joshua, 27, was diagnosed with autism at two and a half. He was nonverbal and experienced severe anxiety, while getting a full night's sleep remained a struggle for years.An experimental drug called L1-79, touted as ‘Ozempic Of Autism' has reportedly brought significant improvements in his condition, according to the Daily Mail, raising interest in its potential to address core features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).How Did The Drug L1-79 Help Joshua?Developed by Yamo Pharmaceuticals, L1-79 is an oral drug designed to target core symptoms of autism.Joshua’s psychiatrist of eight years, Dr. Eric Bartky, an autism specialist involved in the US FDA trial of L1-79, asked his parents Linda and Jim Turteltaub to consider trying the drug.The decision involved uncertainty. Taking part in the trial required Joshua to stop all his other medications, and the potential side effects of the new treatment were not fully known. Despite these concerns, his parents decided in 2015 to give it a try.“We just wanted something to address the issues, to try and get him better so that he can at least communicate with us,” Linda said.According to the report, Joshua showed his first notable improvement within a week of beginning treatment.Also read: Autism Care Begins Early: Why the First 1,000 Days Matter Most, Says AIIMS ExpertHow Does L1-79 Work?Yamo Pharmaceuticals describes L1-79 as a selective inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase, an enzyme involved in the production of dopamine and norepinephrine.The drug is intended to lower the production of these chemical messengers in an effort to regulate pathways that may contribute to sensory overload and social withdrawal in people with autism.Dr. Bartky said the drug differs from existing approaches because it aims to address core features of autism, including social interaction and communication.“What makes L1-79 different is that L1-79 treats the core symptoms of autism, things like socialization and communications, things that go along with that like eye contact, reciprocal conversation, nonverbal communication, such as reading social nuance. These are things that are extremely important for a person's emotional growth and functioning in society.”The response to treatment has varied among Dr. Bartky's patients, reflecting the wide range of symptoms associated with ASD.What Is The Status Of L1-79 Clinical Trials?Read More: Stem Cell Therapy For Autism: What India’s New Advisory Means For PatientsThere is currently no single medication that treats all the core features of autism spectrum disorder. Several medications are prescribed to manage particular behavioral patterns and associated conditions.L1-79 is being investigated as a potential treatment that could address autism's underlying neurological features. The Daily Mail reported that 116 patients had participated in L1-79's three clinical trials.The drug has received Fast Track designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This program is intended to facilitate the development and review of treatments for serious conditions that address unmet medical needs.Although the designation does not shorten the clinical trial process, it can make a drug eligible for priority review. Under this pathway, the FDA aims to complete its review within six months, compared with the standard 10-month timeline. Are There Any Safety Concerns?Dr. Bartky also pointed to what he described as L1-79's safety profile.Some existing medications can cause serious side effects, including dyskinesia, which involves involuntary movements that can sometimes be permanent; metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions associated with increased risks of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes; and hypertension. Dr. Bartky said L1-79 had “not had one single serious side effect.”