Aldrich Killian and Maya Hansen helped create the extremis virus. They also stole it from Futurepharm and gave it away in hopes that the government will see what it is capable of doing and re-fund them. In Bastrop Texas a man named Mallen took the first dose. He was locked in a room where his companions left him. The virus caused his body to be encased in what was essentially a scab. Another dose would be taken later by Stark. His version was to let him heal from wounds attained while fighting the first enhacile. The dose linked Tony's mind to technology. He was covered in a similar scab for twenty four hours. The virus melded his suit into his bones and healed his body. Eventually the Extremis project was halted but the government did exactly what was intended by Mallen’s rampage. They became interested in the project urging for it to continue.