The gene therapy product XC001 is an altered adenovirus, referred to as the vector, that includes a gene for human vascular endothelial growth factor or VEGF. The vector cannot reproduce and has been shown to be safe in human studies.
Once the vector is delivered to the heart and makes its way into cells, it breaks up while delivering the gene into the cell nucleus, where DNA is located.
Your own cell machinery makes VEGF protein and then ships it outside the cell where the protein can help new blood vessels form.
This is expected to bring more blood and oxygen to areas of the heart that need it.