Much like the Hope Serum that preceded (and inspired) it, X-Cise was created by the Institute of Bio-Social Studies as a pharmaceutical cure for being a mutant. However, it differs from the Hope Serum in that it is a neuroblocker rather than a gene therapy. X-Cise “cures” mutants by burning out the thought centres of their brains. The mutant powers are still present, but the ability of the brain to utilize them is destroyed, in a treatment that constitutes clinical brain damage and also impairs the cognitive function of those who take it.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the guiding force behind the creation of X-Cise was eventually revealed to be the Red Skull, a Nazi supervillain known for his racism and sadism.
Related drugs: Hope Serum