The FDA unexpectedly dismissed several reviewers, including those evaluating Neuralink’s clinical trials for Musk, as part of a broader federal workforce purge tied to a high-profile DOGE-related shakeup. Experts warn the move could compromise patient safety, delay oversight, and spark regulatory challenges, officials stress urgent corrective action immediately.
Over the weekend, as part of a larger government staff purge, two persons with knowledge of the case said that U.S. Food and Drug Administration personnel reviewing Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain implant firm, were sacked.
Two anonymous sources, concerned about potential career consequences, said that approximately twenty individuals from the FDA’s office of neurological and physical medicine devices were let go, with a number of them having worked on Neuralink. Reviewers responsible for clinical trial applications from Neuralink and other manufacturers of so-called brain-computer interface devices are part of that division, according to the sources.
Both individuals claimed they did not think the workers were singled out due to their involvement with Neuralink’s software.
The sources and experts outside of the FDA agree that losing about 20 workers will make it harder to process medical device applications (including Neuralink’s) in a timely and secure manner.
Former FDA official and acting director of the office that assesses requests for brain implants to be used in human trials, Victor Krauthamer, commented, “It’s intimidating to the FDA professionals who are overseeing Neuralink’s trial.” Krauthamer retired after thirty years with the agency.
“We should be worried about the whole trial, and the protection of the people in the trial.”
Requests for comment were not promptly addressed by the FDA, the White House, or Musk. According to Trump, Musk will disavow any potential conflicts of interest that may arise from his involvement in multiple businesses and his endeavors to reduce government spending.
According to one source, probationary scientists who were evaluating applications for medical devices were among those hit by the budget cuts, as was the case with other government institutions. Probationary employees sometimes have a shorter length of service, sometimes less than two years, and are not fully protected by the law.
Neuralink is presently working with a select group of paralyzed individuals to test its gadget, which enables them to control digital equipment exclusively by thinking. Additionally, the business is developing an implant that can restore eyesight. According to the business, the gadget was designated by the FDA last year to expedite development and regulatory clearance.
Musk has been spearheading a massive drive to reduce government expenditure, including at agencies that oversee his companies like SpaceX and Tesla, after spending over $250 million to ensure President Trump’s re-election.
Two persons acquainted with the situation said that the FDA reviewers were informed of their dismissal letters, which were based on performance concerns. Despite the employees’ stellar performance in the past and their recent top-notch rankings, the letters were sent. According to the sources, the supervisors of the laid-off workers were informed of the mass layoffs by word of mouth from their staff, as they were not consulted beforehand.
Luis Gochoco is a seasoned managing editor and writer with over a decade of experience covering politics, technology, gaming, and entertainment news. With a keen eye for breaking stories and in-depth analysis, he has established himself as a trusted voice in digital journalism. Luis is one of the key forces behind the success of GameNGuide, contributing to 12 million views through engaging and high-traffic content. He also played a pivotal role in generating 8 million views on International Business Times, shaping the platform’s technology and gaming coverage.
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