[1] It is also known as Pexa-Vec,[2] INN pexastimogene devacirepvec[3]) and was constructed in Dr. Edmund Lattime's lab at Thomas Jefferson University, tested in clinical trials on melanoma patients, and licensed and further developed by SillaJen.
[3] The virus kills the infected/cancer cells by lysis and also expresses GM-CSF which may help initiate an anti-tumour immune response.
[3] Pexa-Vec (JX-594) is the most advanced product candidate from SillaJen's proprietary SOLVE™ (Selective Oncolytic Vaccinia Engineering) platform.
[17][non-primary source needed] The study is Sponsored by SillaJen, Inc.[18] The experimental therapy, Pexa-Vec, is an attenuated vaccinia virus engineered to stimulate anti-tumor immunity and directly lyse tumor cells.
JX-929 has been administered as a monotherapy to patients with breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer via intratumoral & intravenous injections in a Phase 1, dose escalation clinical trial.
[27][clarification needed] JX-970 is also derived from a Western Reserve strain vaccinia virus and utilizes the same tumor selectivity mechanisms as JX-929.