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Cationic/Ionizable Lipids

In the past five years, DC Chemicals has focused on research and development in the RNA delivery field, successfully developing over 500 cationic lipid structures and maintaining an inventory of over 200 cationic lipids. We collaborate with leading gene delivery companies and research institutions worldwide, and our products and services have received widespread acclaim.
DC Chemicals has accumulated substantial experience in the synthesis of lipids, particularly for highly complex lipid molecules. Our unique chemical synthesis and purification processes often circumvent patented and literature-reported routes, allowing us to design new synthetic routes that yield lipid molecules with higher purity than those reported in literature and patents. Our representative molecules, such as LP-01, SM-102, ALC-0315, and DLIN-MC3-DMA, have purities exceeding 98% as tested by CAD-HPLC, placing them among the top purity products available.We have the capability to scale production from grams to kilograms.


Cationic ionizable lipids play a major role in the LNP formulation and its ability to transfect target cells with its cargo. The ionizable lipids are used to complex negatively charged nucleic acid cargo. The mRNA-cationic lipid complex fuses with the cell membrane and is then delivered into the cytosol. To be able to play these roles efficiently, a cationic ionizable lipid must be engineered with a suitable apparent acid dissociation constant (pKa). The apparent pKa of a cationic ionizable lipid is the likely pKa at the LNP surface. Currently, the cationic ionizable lipids in FDA-approved therapeutics all have an apparent pKa between 6-7. This is crucial for the cationic ionizable lipid to maintain a neutral charge while in systemic circulation (pH above the pKa of the lipid, pH ~7.5), as well as its ability to become positively charged in the endosome (pH ~6.5) and facilitate membrane fusion and subsequent cytosolic release.
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Cat. No. Product Name Field of Application Chemical Structure
DC13101 E10i-494 E10i-494 is a branched ionizable lipid designed to enhance the delivery of mRNA and CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. It belongs to the Branched Endosomal Disruptor (BEND) lipid family, which features terminal branching to improve endosomal escape and cellular uptake.E10i-494 demonstrated exceptional performance in T cell engineering, achieving >80% transfection efficiency in primary human T cells. This is significantly higher than the ~70% efficiency achieved by the linear lipid C14-494.The isopropyl branch enhances the lipid's ability to penetrate and disrupt endosomal membranes, leading to improved release of mRNA and RNPs into the cytoplasm.Despite its high efficiency, E10i-494 exhibits low cytotoxicity, making it suitable for therapeutic applications.E10i-494 is particularly effective for delivering mRNA to T cells, making it a promising tool for CAR-T cell therapy and other immunotherapies.Its ability to deliver CRISPR-Cas9 RNPs efficiently also makes it suitable for in vivo gene editing applications.
DC13056 E4i-200 E4i-200 is a branched ionizable lipid designed for efficient mRNA and CRISPR-Cas9 delivery. It features a 4-carbon (C4) lipid tail with an isopropyl (i) branch at the terminal position, enhancing its ability to disrupt endosomal membranes. The lipid is built around the 200 core, a polyamine structure (N1-(2-(4-(2-aminoethyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine), which facilitates mRNA encapsulation and delivery. E4i-200 excels in liver-targeted delivery, significantly improving mRNA translation and gene editing efficiency in vivo. In experiments, it outperformed linear lipids, achieving 1.5-fold higher liver luminescence compared to the gold standard C12-200. Its isopropyl branch promotes deeper membrane penetration, enhancing endosomal escape and cargo release. This lipid is particularly effective for hepatic gene editing, reducing target gene expression (e.g., TTR) by up to 90% in mouse models. Its modular design and low toxicity make it a promising candidate for mRNA-based therapies and CRISPR applications in the liver.
DC13058 E8i-200 E8i-200 is a novel Branched Endosomal Disruptor (BEND) ionizable lipid, designed to enhance the efficiency of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in drug delivery, particularly for mRNA and protein delivery. Its unique structure, featuring terminal branching, improves endosomal escape, a critical step in the delivery of therapeutic cargo into cells.E8i-200 is designed to enhance endosomal escape, a key bottleneck in mRNA and protein delivery. Its terminal branching structure provides several advantages:Improved Endosomal Membrane Penetration: The branched structure allows E8i-200 to more effectively disrupt endosomal membranes, facilitating the release of mRNA and proteins into the cytoplasm.Enhanced Gene Editing Efficiency: E8i-200 has been shown to significantly improve the delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes, enabling efficient gene editing in vivo.E8i-200 significantly enhanced mRNA expression in the liver, outperforming traditional linear lipids like C12-200 in mouse models.E8i-200 effectively delivered CRISPR-Cas9 RNP complexes, achieving high editing efficiency in the liver, surpassing that of linear lipids.E8i-200 also showed high transfection efficiency and low cytotoxicity in T cells, making it a promising candidate for CAR-T cell engineering and other immunotherapies.
DC153158 ND-O1 (SM-86 Analog-2) Featured ND-O1 (SM-86 Analog-2) is a novel ionizable lipid designed to improve the delivery of siRNA via lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for treating liver fibrosis. It is derived from SM-86 (structurally similar to SM-102, used in COVID-19 mRNA vaccines) but incorporates an ether bond within its hydrophobic tail, a first-of-its-kind modification aimed at enhancing delivery efficiency. In Vitro Efficiency: ND-O1 LNPs (LNP-O1) showed significantly higher siRNA transfection efficiency in activated fibroblasts compared to Lipid 5 LNPs (LNP-M). In Vivo Efficacy: In a CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mouse model, LNP-O1/siHSP47 (loaded with HSP47-targeting siRNA) reduced HSP47 expression by ~84%, threefold more effective than LNP-M. This led to a dramatic reduction in collagen deposition and marked improvement in liver fibrosis. Safety: The ether bond modification did not introduce additional toxicity, maintaining biocompatibility. ND-O1 represents a breakthrough in ionizable lipid design, demonstrating that strategic placement of ether bonds in hydrophobic tails can enhance LNP performance without compromising safety. Its success highlights its potential for clinical translation in RNA-based therapies for liver fibrosis and other hepatic diseases.
DC67280 Lipid 35 Lipid 35 is an novel ionizable lipid designed to enhance the delivery of mRNA to specific tissues, particularly the lungs.Lipid 35 demonstrates superior chemical stability, especially in storage conditions. This stability ensures that the lipid maintains its integrity over extended periods, making it ideal for long-term storage and large-scale production.Lipid 35 exhibits high transfection efficiency in various cell types, including nonimmune cells, endothelial cells, and epithelial cells. Lipid 35 has demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and safety in preclinical studies. It does not cause significant liver damage or adverse immune responses, making it a safer alternative for therapeutic applications.
DC60782 Lipid A4B4-S3 Featured A4B4-S3 is a novel biodegradable ionizable lipid that has been meticulously designed through modular platforms and optimized specifically for mRNA delivery. It serves as a critical component of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and enhances mRNA delivery efficiency by facilitating endosomal escape. The structural design of A4B4-S3 leverages the Passerini reaction, a highly efficient and modular chemical method that enables the rapid generation of diverse lipid libraries. The design focuses on optimizing the methylene units between lipid headgroups and linkages to strengthen hydrogen bonding interactions with mRNA ribophosphate complexes. This enhanced hydrogen bonding allows for more effective release of mRNA from endosomes, thereby boosting delivery efficiency. Concurrently, the structural optimization improves biodegradability, reducing potential long-term toxicity risks. In experimental studies, A4B4-S3 has demonstrated superior gene editing efficacy in mouse liver compared to SM-102, a clinically prevalent lipid used in Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine. It also shows potential for repeat-dose protein replacement therapies, suggesting enhanced stability and safety for long-term treatment regimens. Technologically, A4B4-S3 not only provides a more efficient LNP formulation but also deepens the understanding of the relationship between structure and delivery efficiency. This offers new directions for the development of future mRNA therapeutics. In summary, A4B4-S3 represents a next-generation delivery carrier achieved through rational design and high-throughput screening strategies. Its performance enhancements and biodegradable properties position it as a promising candidate for gene therapies and vaccine applications.
DC60789 SM-86 Analog-1 Featured SM-86 Analog-1 is a novel ionizable lipid designed to improve the delivery of RNA via lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) It is derived from SM-86,with 8 carbon within its hydrophobic tail.
DC67281 BNT-51 Featured
DC67283 C14-490 C14-490 is a versatile ionizable lipid that enhances the delivery and efficacy of mRNA-based therapies, particularly in targeted delivery to specific cell types and long-term genome editing applications. Its use in LNPs for in vivo and in utero delivery demonstrates its potential for advancing mRNA therapeutics and gene editing technologies.
DC67290 ATX-231 ATX-231 which is from Arcturus RNA delivery platform, is a novel ionizable lipid used in the formulation of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for the delivery of RNA.
DC67291 Arcturus Lipid 54 Arcturus Lipid 54 which is from Arcturus RNA delivery platform, is a novel ionizable lipid used in the formulation of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for the delivery of RNA.
DC60793 LUMI-6 Featured The LUMI-6 lipid, autonomously designed via the LUMI-lab platform, is a brominated ionizable lipid optimized for mRNA delivery. Formulated at a molar ratio of 35:28:34.5:2 (LUMI-6:DOTAP:cholesterol:C14-PEG2000), LNPs exhibit uniform physicochemical properties, including a hydrodynamic diameter of ~80 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) <0.2, and robust mRNA encapsulation efficiency. In vitro, LUMI-6 LNPs demonstrated 1.8-fold higher transfection potency in human bronchial epithelial cells compared to its debrominated counterpart (LUMI-6D), with minimal cytotoxicity confirmed by CCK-8 assays. In vivo, pulmonary delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 mRNA via LUMI-6 LNPs achieved ​20.3% gene editing efficiency in murine lung epithelial cells, surpassing SM-102 (Moderna’s clinical benchmark) and demonstrating ​preferential tropism for lung epithelium over endothelial cells—critical for inhaled therapies targeting cystic fibrosis and surfactant disorders. The brominated tail enhances endosomal escape through optimized protonation dynamics, though explicit pKa values remain unmeasured. Synthesized via high-throughput combinatorial chemistry and refined through AI-driven active learning, LUMI-6 combines scalable production with organ-selective delivery, positioning it as a transformative platform for pulmonary nucleic acid therapeutics.
DC67292 IAJD34 IAJD34 is a monocomponent lipid nanoparticle (LNP) engineered for selective mRNA delivery to the lungs. Its design leverages a large hydrophobic structure and a pH-dependent surface charge (pKa 6.74), enabling preferential accumulation in the pulmonary compartment after intravenous injection. This property allows it to bypass traditional delivery barriers and achieve high-efficiency transfection in distal airways (beyond the 16th bronchial generation), a critical target region for treating lung diseases like acute lung injury (ALI) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
DC67294 Lipid B1 Lipid B1​ is a next-generation ionizable lipid engineered for superior mRNA delivery, featuring a patented ​β-isobutylglutarate branching linker​ that optimizes nanoparticle assembly and intracellular release. Its unique structure combines a pH-responsive tertiary amine headgroup with twin C18 alkyl tails connected via biodegradable ester bonds, enabling precise control over lipid packing and endosomal escape. Preclinical studies demonstrate that Lipid B1-based LNPs (bLNPs) achieve ​**>75% transfection efficiency in vitro​ at ultra-low mRNA doses (1 μg), outperforming commercial benchmarks like SM-102. In vivo, subcutaneous administration of bLNPs delivers ​10-fold higher luciferase expression**​ than linear-chain analogs, with targeted biodistribution to lymph nodes and tumor sites. Clinically relevant data show 100% tumor prevention in prophylactic cancer vaccine models and 70% tumor regression in therapeutic settings when combined with checkpoint inhibitors. The ester-based backbone ensures rapid metabolic clearance, minimizing systemic toxicity risks (NOAEL >10 mg/kg in mice). Compatible with mRNA, siRNA, and CRISPR-Cas9 payloads, Lipid B1 is ideal for vaccines, gene therapies, and immuno-oncology. Its scalable 3-step synthesis (yield >80%) and lyophilization stability (-80°C, 12 months) make it a cost-effective solution for GMP-grade production. For advanced delivery with unmatched safety and efficacy, Lipid B1 sets a new standard in nucleic acid therapeutics.
DC67295 Lipid MK16 Featured MK16 is a specialized lipid designed to traverse the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for effective mRNA delivery. Its formulation, MK16 BLNP, leverages dual mechanisms involving caveolae and γ-secretase to facilitate BBB penetration, ensuring the targeted and efficient transport of functional mRNA to diverse brain cell types. Demonstrating excellent tolerability across a range of dosing regimens, MK16 BLNP represents a promising platform for brain-targeted therapeutic applications.
DC60797 A2C18_D5 A2C18_D5 is an optimized lipid nanoparticle (LNP) component engineered with structural modifications to enhance mRNA delivery efficiency and safety. Its design incorporates a hydrophobic head group (A2, featuring a pentyl chain) and an unsaturated C18 tail, which collectively lower its pKa to the ideal range of 6–7, enabling stable encapsulation of nucleic acids and improved endosomal escape. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that A2C18_D5 achieves mRNA delivery efficiency comparable to the clinically approved LNP benchmark MC3, while exhibiting over 200-fold higher potency than its precursor lipid (A1C11). The lipid’s reduced protonation capacity minimizes cytotoxicity and hemolytic risk, aligning with safety profiles of established LNPs. Upon intravenous administration, A2C18_D5 predominantly targets the liver and spleen, with a biodistribution profile favoring hepatic delivery. Its balanced combination of high transfection efficiency, low toxicity, and favorable pharmacokinetics positions A2C18_D5 as a promising candidate for next-generation mRNA therapeutics, including vaccines and treatments for liver-specific diseases. Further optimization of its head-tail structure highlights its versatility for tailored delivery applications.
DC67314 Lipid AA2 AA2 lipid is an innovative amino alcohol-derived ionizable lipid designed for optimized mRNA delivery. Its unique structure includes a hydroxyl-containing headgroup that enhances mRNA binding through hydrogen bonds and a branched ester tail (R2) that promotes a cone-shaped architecture, facilitating efficient endosomal escape. Formulated into lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) with a size of 108.6 ± 3.7 nm and a polydispersity index (PDI) below 0.3, AA2 achieves high mRNA encapsulation efficiency (89.0 ± 1.4%) and an ideal pKa of approximately 6.2, ensuring effective endosomal release.In vivo studies demonstrate that AA2 LNP-encapsulated spike mRNA elicits 4.7-fold higher IgG titers and robust CD8+ T-cell responses (characterized by IFN-γ+, TNF-α+, and granzyme B+ markers) compared to SM-102/ALC-0315 LNPs. Notably, AA2 exhibits minimal off-target accumulation, with low biodistribution in the liver and spleen. Its slightly positive surface charge (+3–5 mV) enhances cellular uptake, while the biodegradable ester structure ensures metabolic clearance, reducing potential toxicity.
DC67315 Lipid AA15 The AA15 lipid, an amino acid-derived ionizable lipid, integrates a carboxylic acid-containing headgroup and biodegradable branched ester tails (R2) to enhance mRNA delivery. Optimized as AA15V LNP, it exhibits a hydrodynamic diameter of 102.3 ± 4.1 nm, low polydispersity (PDI <0.15), and slightly positive zeta potential (+4–6 mV), enabling efficient tumor-targeted delivery. With a pKa ~6.1–6.4, AA15V ensures protonation in acidic endosomes, promoting mRNA release. It achieves >85% mRNA encapsulation efficiency, critical for stable saRNA delivery. In vitro, AA15V LNP-sSE-SCTs induced sustained SE-SCT expression (69% H-2Kb+β2m+ B16F10 cells at 72 h), outperforming mRNA formulations. In vivo, a single intratumoral dose of AA15V LNP-sSE-SCTs suppressed tumor growth by 22-fold in vaccinated mice, synergizing with checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1/CTLA-4) for complete regression in 28.6% of lymphoma models. Ex vivo, AA15V enabled SE-SCT expression in human glioblastoma (7.1% CD45− cells) and lung cancer samples (5.8–8.7%), underscoring clinical potential. Key data: pKa ~6.3; encapsulation: 85–89%; zeta: +4–6 mV; size: 102.3 ± 4.1 nm. 
DC60800 18-2-9b2 18-2-9b2 is a dendron-like degradable ionizable lipid which facilitates mRNA delivery to splenic macrophages. 18-2-9b2 LNP encapsulating therapeutic BTB domain and CNC homologue 1 (BACH1) mRNA exhibited proficient BACH1 expression and subsequent Spic downregulation in splenic red pulp macrophages (RPM) in a Spic-GFP transgene model.
DC60808 503O8,12 Featured 503O8,12 is a branched-tail ionizable lipidoid mRNA delivery with immune cell specificity. In vivo, 503O8,12 demonstrated spleen-tropism (≈50% signal) with significant lung targeting (≈35%) after IV administration. Flow cytometry revealed preferential transfection of lung lymphoid cells (NK/dendritic cells) over endothelial/epithelial cells. It showed no overt toxicity in histology but induced transient pro-inflammatory cytokines.
DC65412 Acuitas Lipid III-2 Featured Acuitas Lipid III-2 is an ionizable amine lipid with two identical ester tails adjacent to C6 position relative to amine from patent:WO2017075531A1 with the similar activity as ALC-0315. The head of lipid is propanolamine which can effectively encapsulate mRNA used in gene therapies which depends on the availability of a safe and efficient delivery vehicle.
DC60809 6Ac1-C12 Featured The 6Ac1-C12 LNPs exhibit a pKa of ~6.0, enabling pH-responsive endosomal escape. They demonstrate high stability (maintaining ~100 nm size for 30 days at 4°C) and efficient mRNA encapsulation. With slightly negative surface charge, these nanoparticles show serum resistance. The liver-targeted formulation (4-component) achieves 98% hepatic mRNA expression, primarily in endothelial (60%) and Kupffer cells. The cholesterol-free 3-component lung-targeted version eliminates hepatic accumulation while enabling 71% transfection in pulmonary endothelial cells. Both formulations maintain structural integrity post-dialysis and show low cytotoxicity, with lung-targeted LNPs exhibiting reduced lipoprotein adsorption for enhanced organ specificity.
DC67322 GL67 pentahydrochloride Featured GL67 (N4-Spermine cholesteryl carbamate) in its pentahydrochloride form is a cationic lipid with versatile applications in the delivery of nucleic acid agents, vaccines, and gene transfection, owing to its efficient encapsulation and transport capabilities.GL67 (N4-Spermine cholesteryl carbamate) in its pentahydrochloride form is a cationic lipid with versatile applications in the delivery of nucleic acid agents, vaccines, and gene transfection, owing to its efficient encapsulation and transport capabilities.
DC67408 Galnac Lipid 29 Galnac Lipid 29 is from Prime Medicine Patent: WO2024220807. Compound 29 is a GalNAc-functionalized lipid featuring a tripartite structure: an N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) targeting moiety for ASGPR-mediated liver uptake, a flexible PEG-based linker (e.g., ethylene glycol repeats), and dual C18 alkyl chains for lipid nanoparticle (LNP) integration. Its design includes stereospecific amide/urethane bonds (R/S configurations) to optimize stability and ligand orientation. Preclinical data demonstrate enhanced prime editing efficiency (>2-fold vs controls) in hepatocytes at low doses, attributed to improved endosomal escape and payload release. The compound enables liver-specific delivery of CRISPR systems while minimizing off-target accumulation, with <5% activity in non-hepatic cells.
DC67409 Galnac Lipid 83 Galnac Lipid 83 is from Prime Medicine Patent: WO2024220807.Compound 83 is a GalNAc-conjugated lipid designed for targeted liver delivery. It features a triantennary GalNAc ligand linked via a PEG spacer (e.g., -(CH2CH2O)n-) to a branched hydrophobic tail (C18 alkyl chains). The structure includes amide/ester bonds for stability and a stereospecific configuration (R/S) to optimize ASGPR receptor binding. Integrated into lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), it enhances hepatic uptake of nucleic acids (e.g., mRNA, gene editors) by leveraging ASGPR-mediated endocytosis. Its design balances hydrophilicity (PEG) and lipophilicity (alkyl chains) for efficient encapsulation and in vivo delivery, supporting therapeutic applications in liver-specific gene editing or RNA therapies.

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