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
DC67553	Lipid PL40 Featured	PL-40 is a cardiolipin-mimetic ionizable lipid engineered for high-efficiency, antibody-free mRNA delivery to T cells. PL 40 LNPs exhibit a mean particle size of 120 nm, zeta potential of -5.19 mV, and >80% mRNA encapsulation efficiency, with excellent plasma stability (≤5% size change after 6h in serum). Cryo-TEM reveals polyhedral nanoparticles with phase-separated domains, while SAXS confirms tight mRNA packing (d-spacing: ~3 nm vs. 6.64 nm in conventional LNPs). AFM demonstrates exceptional rigidity (high bending modulus), enabling T cell-selective uptake via actin-mediated endocytosis (>2× higher than ALC0315 LNPs).In primary human T cells, PL40 LNPs achieve >90% transfection at 0.5 μg mRNA dose and sustain >100× higher luciferase expression than benchmark lipids. When delivering circular RNA, they extend protein expression >5 days with superior spleen tropism (spleen:liver ratio = 2.63). Crucially, they reprogram T cells into functional CAR-Ts in vivo without antibody conjugation, evading exhaustion markers (no Tim-3/PD-1 upregulation). Therapeutically, PL40-based uPAR-targeted CAR mRNA reduces liver fibrosis (collagen↓50%, ALT↓50%) and rheumatoid arthritis severity (clinical scores↓60%) by clearing senescent cells. Humanized anti-uPAR CARs delivered via PL40 show near-complete cytotoxicity (>95%) against uPAR+ cells, underscoring clinical translatability. More description
DC60947	Lilly lipid 51 Featured	Lipid 51 is a top-performing thioglycerol-based biodegradable ionizable lipid disclosed in PCT patent WO2026/147683 (Eli Lilly, filed Dec 16, 2025). Built with cleavable thioester linkages, it balances neutral surface charge at physiological pH and protonatable amines in acidic endosomes for efficient mRNA encapsulation and endosomal escape. Formulated into LNPs with DSPC, cholesterol and DMG-PEG2K, it exhibits favorable particle size, low PDI and high RNA loading efficiency. In intracerebroventricular (ICV) mouse tests targeting central nervous system (CNS), it delivers Cre mRNA to brain neurons far more potently than Lipid 1/2/3, with the highest tissue fluorescent signal among all tested candidates. It shows low cellular toxicity in vitro and robust CNS tropism, making it an optimal carrier for brain-targeted mRNA and CRISPR gene editing therapeutics. More description
DC67568	ORNA Lipid AX-6 Featured	AX6 is an ionizable lipid in the F32 LNP formulation, engineered by ReNAgade/Orna Therapeutics for targeted mRNA delivery to T cells. AX-6's unique bridged bicyclic/polycyclic core with a tertiary amine group enables pH-dependent protonation and endosomal escape, while C14-C18 hydrophobic tails (optionally branched/fluorinated) enhance bilayer stability and mRNA encapsulation. Demonstrating exceptional T-cell tropism, AX6 achieves high transfection efficiency in CD4+/CD8+ T cells (validated in NHP/humanized models) with minimal toxicity. Compared to clinical benchmarks (SM-102, ALC-0315), its rigid core offers superior serum stability and immune-cell specificity, positioning it as an ideal candidate for CAR-T/NK therapies and next-gen vaccines. The F32 LNP system's proven efficacy (e.g., in vivo B-cell depletion) underscores AX 6's transformative potential for cell engineering and immunotherapies. More description
DC68057	Lipid Trp-L1-T4 Featured	Trp-L1-T4 is a novel tryptophan-derived ionizable lipid that serves as the core functional component of the optimized lipid nanoparticle (TLNP/RLNP) platform. Its primary function is to enable the efficient encapsulation and in vivo delivery of self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) cargo. Specifically, it facilitates high transfection efficiency and cytosolic release of the RNA payload in target follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, with minimal cytotoxicity. This capability is crucial for reprogramming pathogenic Tfh cells into regulatory CAR-Tfh cells, forming the foundation of the study's therapeutic strategy. More description
DC67540	Lipid A5-CE-C7-6 Featured	A5-CE-C7-6 is an ionizable lipid engineered for spleen-targeted mRNA delivery, integrating a hydroxylated dual-amine core (A5) for enhanced mRNA binding and endosomal escape, a biodegradable carbonate ester linker (CE) enabling rapid hydrolysis (61% degradation in 24 h), and branched heptyl hydrophobic tails (C7-6) that optimize nanoparticle stability and spleen tropism. When formulated into cholesterol-free lipid nanoparticles (B-8 formulation), its unique architecture—combining hydroxyl groups for cellular uptake, carbonate-mediated biodegradability, and branched-chain fluidity—achieves unprecedented efficiency: low pKa (~6.0) minimizes liver accumulation while enabling 21% transfection of splenic NK cells, outperforming benchmark systems like MC3 SORT LNPs by >10-fold in spleen-specific delivery and establishing a new standard for in vivo immune cell engineering. More description
DC68151	KC‑34 (SPC‑A9) Featured	KC‑34 (SPC‑A9) is a novel stereopure, diketopiperazine-based ionizable cationic lipid engineered to overcome traditional liver-restricted delivery, achieving balanced multi-organ mRNA transfection. Upon systemic intravenous administration, its precisely optimized chiral configuration allows the lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to efficiently cross endothelial barriers and target the bone marrow, offering immense therapeutic potential for in vivo hematopoietic stem cell gene editing. Concurrently, KC-34 mediates robust and long-lasting protein expression in the spleen and lungs with minimal hepatic off-target toxicity. Its stable structure provides excellent biocompatibility and high in vivo tolerance, making it ideal for systemic, multi-dose mRNA therapies. More description
DC67566	CureVac Lipid C24(CVL1,VitE-C4DE-Pip- S) Featured	CVL1 (C24) is an ionizable lipid developed by CureVac for mRNA delivery, featuring a vitamin E (α-tocopherol) core linked via a thioether bridge to piperidine-based cationic headgroups. Its unique design enables pH-dependent charge switching (neutral at physiological pH, cationic in endosomes) for efficient mRNA encapsulation and endosomal escape. Formulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) with DPhyPS and PMOZ4, CVL1 preferentially targets spleen and lymph node dendritic cells (DCs), enhancing antigen presentation and T-cell immunity. Key advantages include high mRNA encapsulation (>90%), stability under lyophilization, and reduced liver accumulation compared to PEGylated LNPs. In preclinical studies, CVL1-based LNPs induced robust CD8+/CD4+ T-cell responses and IgG2a-dominant antibody titers against tumor antigens (e.g., Trp2). With a particle size of 70–120 nm and low polydispersity (PDI <0.2), CVL1 balances delivery efficiency and biocompatibility, making it ideal for cancer and infectious disease vaccines requiring strong cellular immunity. Its degradable ester and thioether bonds further improve safety profiles. More description
DC60941	Antioxidant lipid AO12 Featured	AO12 is a novel antioxidant ionizable lipid derived from SM-102 skeleton with para-hydroxyphenyl propionic acid side chains. Integrated into LNPs, it efficiently scavenges diverse reactive oxygen species including ·OH and ONOO⁻, shielding encapsulated mRNA from oxidative degradation. It retains fine LNP formulation features and cellular uptake capacity of conventional lipids, boosting in vivo mRNA translation. Applied for regenerative mRNA therapy and CRISPR gene editing against fibrosis and inflammatory disorders. More description
DC68177	L52715 Featured	L52715 is a novel ionizable lipid developed by Shanghai Vitalgen, used to deliver mRNA. More description
DC60463	MIC2 Featured	MIC2 is a set of multi-charged lipids with four tertiary amino nitrogen atoms (4N4T) which could be constructed and applied to form novel lipid nanoparticles. 4N4T-LNPs based on MIC2 exhibit much higher mRNA translation efficiency than the approved SM-102-LNPs. 4N4T-LNPs are successfully applied to DS mRNA vaccine and the vaccines worked well against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, including Delta and Omicron. More description
DC60537	C18 NC-TNP Featured	C18 NC-TNP is a novel noncationic thiourea lipid without positively charged groups. It binds nucleic acids via hydrogen bonds instead of electrostatic attraction, avoiding cation-triggered systemic inflammation. Formulated into nanoparticles, it efficiently encapsulates mRNA, siRNA and plasmids, shows excellent serum tolerance and long-term liquid/lyophilized storage stability. It enters cells mainly through macropinocytosis, escapes endosomes intact to reduce nucleic acid degradation. In vivo, it targets spleen preferentially, induces robust long-lasting Th1-type cellular and humoral immunity with minimal organ toxicity, superior to SM102 LNPs for mRNA cancer vaccine delivery. More description
DC68141	AMG514 Featured	AMG514 is a novel ionizable lipid designed for formulating spleen-targeting lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver immune‑remodeling mRNAs (IR‑mRNAs). Its key advantage lies in the formation of a unique “protein corona” enriched with vitronectin, coagulation factors, and specific apolipoproteins (e.g., ApoA‑IV), together with its relatively high apparent pKa (~7.5), which actively redirects LNPs to the spleen instead of the liver. This precise spleen‑targeting property enables efficient transfection of splenic antigen‑presenting cells (APCs). As a vaccine adjuvant, AMG514‑LNPs therefore elicit a more robust activation of adaptive immunity compared to conventional LNPs (e.g., cKK‑E12), generating significantly enhanced antigen‑specific CD8⁺ T‑cell and antibody responses, and inducing durable anti‑tumor immune memory in preclinical models. More description
DC60809	6Ac1-C12 Featured	6Ac1-C12 is an ionizable cationic lipid with a hexaester degradable core and six C12 hydrophobic alkyl tails, featuring a pKa around 6.0 and strong endosomal escape capacity. Its four-component LNPs deliver mRNA mainly to liver endothelial cells after IV injection and remain stable for 30 days at 4°C. Formulated without cholesterol, its three-component system enables lung-targeted delivery with low in vivo toxicity, and the ester core facilitates biodegradation for versatile mRNA applications. More description
DC60942	113-AA-C8C14 Featured	113-AA-C8C14 is a spleen-tropic ionizable lipid with inherent splenic organ selectivity. Its formulated LNPs drastically reduce off-target liver uptake and drive 57-fold higher mRNA expression in spleen versus benchmark LNPs. It preferentially delivers nucleic acids to splenic immune cells like macrophages and T lymphocytes, supporting in vivo CAR-T engineering and mRNA vaccine research with minimal accumulation in other visceral organs. More description
DC80066	306Oi10 Featured	306Oi10 is a branched ionizable lipid that can be used to construct lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for delivering messenger RNA. The surface ionization of lipid nanoparticles is related to the effectiveness of mRNA delivery. The tail of 306Oi10 has a one-carbon branch, which provides it with stronger surface ionization compared to lipids with linear tails, thereby enhancing its mRNA delivery efficacy. 306Oi10 can be used in research related to mRNA delivery. More description
DC65619	Lipid 11-A-M Featured	Lipid 11-A-M (LNP Lipid-8) is a specialized single-tail, multi-head ionizable cationic lipid engineered for targeted nucleic acid delivery to T cells. Unlike traditional lipids that exhibit strong liver tropism, 11-A-M formulations successfully bypass hepatocytes, resulting in negligible liver accumulation and toxicity. Upon intravenous administration, it naturally localizes to peripheral immune organs, enabling robust gene silencing and transfection specifically within splenic CD3⁺ T cells, with a higher efficiency in CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cells over CD4⁺ helper T cells. This liver-evading, T cell-specific targeting profile makes it a premier tool for in vivo immunotherapy and in situ cell reprogramming. More description
DC85555	YK-009 Featured	YK-009 is an advanced, biodegradable ionizable lipid designed for efficient mRNA delivery. Via intramuscular injection, it demonstrates superior targeting to draining lymph nodes, boosting immune cell transfection for vaccines. When administered intravenously, it distributes to the liver but leverages a highly degradable chemical backbone to ensure rapid clearance post-endosomal escape. This effectively eliminates the risk of long-term tissue accumulation and liver toxicity seen in traditional lipids. Delivering a balance of high transfection efficiency and exceptional biocompatibility, YK-009 is an ideal component for safe and potent lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations. More description
DC60575	U-101 Featured	U-101 is an ionizable lipid for mRNA delivery. U101-LNP/IL-2F mRNA formulation demonstrats effective antitumor activity and safety.LNPs containing lipid U 101 and encapsulating mRNA encoding a fusion protein composed of IL-2, a linker, and CD25 inhibit tumor growth in an MC-38 mouse xenograft model. More description
DC60485	IAJD93 Featured	IAJD93(IAJD-93) is a pentaerythritol-based one-component ionizable amphiphilic Janus Dendrimer (IAJD), delivery systems for mRNA delivery. More description
DC68150	Lipid A10 Featured	A10 (Compound 16) is a diketopiperazine‑based ionizable lipid disclosed in WO 2025/217298 A1 (PCT/US2025/023899) developed by NAVA Therapeutics that enables potent, cell‑selective in vivo delivery of mRNA and nucleic acids without targeting ligands. It forms stable, well‑tolerated lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that preferentially transfect hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), bone marrow progenitors, lung epithelium, endothelium, and immune cells while minimizing liver off‑target delivery. In both mice and non‑human primates, A10‑containing LNPs drive functional mRNA expression and gene editing in CD34⁺ HSCs at clinically relevant low doses (0.25–1.0 mg/kg), supporting in vivo HSC gene therapy without ex vivo manipulation. More description
DC68161	AKG-UO-1 Featured	AKG-UO-1 is an innovative ionizable lipid engineered for targeted nucleic acid delivery, exhibiting exceptional hepatic tropism and a high affinity for metabolically active tissues. Leveraging an alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)-inspired design, it capitalizes on the liver’s high metabolic demand to achieve precise parenchymal accumulation via systemic injection. Crucially, AKG-UO-1 selectively homing into diseased or lipid-accumulated microenvironments, where it enhances endosomal escape and mRNA translation. Its unique degradation pathway actively synergizes with host cells to alleviate metabolic stress and maintain mitochondrial homeostasis, making it an ideal candidate for treating metabolic liver diseases and fatty liver disorders. More description
DC68162	HGT5001 Featured	HGT5001, disclosed in patent US 2026/0125339 A1 by Translate Bio (now part of Sanofi), is a potent ionizable cationic lipid optimized for mRNA delivery, exhibiting versatile organ tropism governed by the route of administration. When delivered via intratracheal or pulmonary administration, it effectively crosses the mucosal barrier to achieve high transfection efficiency specifically within lung tissues. Conversely, intravenous injection redirects its tropism to the liver and spleen via endogenous ApoE mediation, facilitating systemic protein replacement therapies. Engineered with an optimized headgroup, HGT5001 ensures excellent encapsulation, rapid pH-responsive endosomal escape, and superior biocompatibility with minimal systemic toxicity, making it an exceptional candidate for cystic fibrosis therapies and hepatic treatments. More description
DC60489	LIPID 331 Featured	Lipid 331 is a biodegradable cyclic ionizable lipid. LNPs containing Lipid 331 result in robust transfection in the nasal and lung tissues of mice and efficient transfection of lung epithelial cells and lung-resident APCs. Lipid 331 is a promising candidate for mRNA vaccine delivery, offering the potential for further enhancing the potency of mRNA vaccines. More description
DC60545	200Oi10 Featured	200Oi10 is a highly potent, biodegradable ionizable lipidoid optimized for targeted mRNA delivery, with its organ tropism dynamic to the route of administration. Under intravenous injection, it demonstrates an extraordinary 97.7% liver specificity mediated by endogenous ApoE binding. Strikingly, shifting to intraperitoneal injection redirects its tropism, yielding up to 46.4% pancreatic targeting, which can be further boosted when co-formulated with DOTAP. Featuring ester-conjugated cleavable tails, 200Oi10 guarantees rapid metabolic clearance and negligible tissue accumulation toxicity, making it an exceptional candidate for localized pancreatic therapy and efficient hepatic gene delivery. More description
DC67988	KT-001 Featured	KT-001 is a novel ionizable cationic lipid developed by Vivas, Inc., disclosed in US 2026/0007612 A1 (published Jan 8, 2026).KT-001 demonstrates exceptional skeletal muscle targeting and low liver toxicity.Unlike traditional lipids that primarily accumulate in the liver, KT-001 avoids serum ApoE binding, preventing hepatic uptake. Upon intramuscular injection, it achieves a 29-fold reduction in liver off-target expression compared to standard lipids, while maintaining robust, long-lasting protein expression at the injection site.Its optimized pKa enables precise, pH-responsive endosomal escape for high transfection efficiency. KT-001 is an ideal carrier for localized mRNA vaccines and targeted therapeutics for muscle-related disorders. More description
DC82105	93-O17O Featured	93-O17O is a chalcogen-containing ionizable cationic lipidoid. It has been used in the generation of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). LNPs containing 93-O17O localize to the spleen after intravenous injection into mice.LNPs containing 93-O17O have been used for the delivery of Cre recombinase and ribonucleoproteins for genome editing in mice and for the intratumoral delivery of cGAMP to enhance cross-presentation of tumor antigens. More description
DC60843	CF3-2N6-UC18 Featured	CF3-2N6-UC18 is a rationally designed chloroquine-inspired ionizable lipid that enables robust mRNA delivery and genome editing. It integrates three modular components: a 7-trifluoromethyl-substituted quinoline scaffold (mimicking chloroquine’s endosomolytic properties), a hexamethylenediamine linker with two ionizable nitrogen atoms (pH-responsive protonation), and two unsaturated oleyl (C18:1) hydrophobic tails (enhancing membrane fusion and nanoparticle stability). This lipid self-assembles into ecoLNPs (endosomolytic chloroquine-like lipid nanoparticles) with spherical morphology (~200 nm diameter, 98% mRNA encapsulation). Its pH-sensitive activity triggers endosomal escape through dual mechanisms: proton sponge effect (buffering endo-lysosomal pH) and saposin B-mediated membrane disruption (molecular docking confirms chloroquine-like binding to lysosomal saposin B). In vitro, ecoLNPs outperform commercial reagents (18.9-fold higher mRNA delivery than Lipofectamine 2000) and penetrate 3D cell models. They resist serum/RNase degradation and retain >90% activity after 7-day storage at 4°C. In vivo, ecoLNPs achieve tissue-specific mRNA expression via multiple routes (intravenous, intramuscular, etc.), with strong lymph node tropism (90.2% after intramuscular injection) comparable to SM-102 LNPs (Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine carrier). They mediate efficient Cre mRNA-driven recombination and CRISPR-Cas9 editing in transgenic mice. CF3-2N6-UC18’s modular design, stability, and dual endosomal escape strategies position it as a versatile platform for mRNA vaccines, gene therapy, and genome editing applications. More description
DC67570	Generation Lipid 87 Featured	Lipid 87 is a proprietary ionizable lipid developed by Generation Bio. Used as a key ingredient in stealth LNPs, it greatly prolongs blood circulation time, maintains high nucleic acid encapsulation efficiency and low cytotoxicity, and enables effective liver targeting. Its relevant applications are documented in PCT patent WO2026/080826A1. As a core component (47.5–57.5 mol%) of stealth lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), it works synergistically with steric-stabilizing polymers like DSG-PEG₂₀₀₀-OMe to extend the in vivo blood half-life of LNPs to over 24 hours (compared to merely 30 minutes of conventional LNPs). It achieves an encapsulation efficiency above 95% for mRNA and closed-ended DNA (ceDNA), exhibits low cytotoxicity with an IC₅ value greater than 100 μM, and delivers robust liver-targeting performance, obtaining over 80% hepatocyte transfection at a dosage of 0.5 mpk. In preclinical models of hemophilia B, LNPs formulated with Lipid 87 can restore around 40% of clotting factor IX (FIX) activity for more than seven days. More description
DC47162	10-Nitrooleic acid Featured	10-Nitrooleic acid (CXA-10), a nitro fatty acid, has potential effects in disease states in which oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, and/or direct tissue toxicity play significant roles. More description
DC77017	9(10)-Nitrooleate Featured	9(10)-Nitrooleate（NOA）is an endogenous nitrated fatty acid that functions as a highly efficient bioactive molecule. Its primary role is the specific inhibition of the STING protein, a key inflammatory signaling sensor within cells. When STING is aberrantly activated, it can trigger a severe inflammatory response, leading to cellular damage.Mechanistically, NOA acts as an electrophile, capable of covalently modifying specific cysteine residues on the STING protein, thereby effectively blocking its ability to activate downstream signaling pathways. This inhibitory action establishes NOA as a potent endogenous anti-inflammatory agent. In practical application, loading NOA into delivery systems, such as lipid nanoparticles, equips them with an intrinsic "molecular fire extinguisher." It significantly mitigates the acute inflammatory response triggered by delivered cargo, effectively transforming otherwise toxic delivery vehicles into safe platforms. The core value of NOA lies in its ability to provide exceptional safety without compromising the functional expression of therapeutic payloads, offering a crucial safeguard for achieving long-term treatments. More description

Cationic/Ionizable Lipids

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