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Home > RNA Delivery > Cationic/Ionizable Lipids

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
DC60918 C14-306 Featured
C14-306 is a rationally designed ionizable lipid for brain targeting delivery, characterized by a linear 3,3'-diamino-N-methyldipropylamine (306) core conjugated with tetradecyl (C14) tails. This specific architectural configuration, synthesized via epoxide ring-opening amination, yields a molecular structure that optimally balances hydrophobic character and protonation capacity. The C14 alkyl chains enhance membrane integration and LNP stability, while the multiamine core facilitates efficient mRNA complexation and pH-dependent endosomal disruption. When formulated into LNPs with standard helper lipids (DOPE, cholesterol, DMG-PEG2000), C14-306-based nanoparticles exhibit favorable physicochemical properties, including a monodisperse size distribution near 110 nm and high mRNA encapsulation efficiency (>84%). High-throughput in vivo barcoding screening identified C14-306 LNPs as lead candidates for brain delivery, demonstrating a significant tropism for neuronal cells over liver tissue. In validation studies, LNPs incorporating C14-306 achieved a 6.9-fold increase in luciferase mRNA transfection in the mouse brain compared to the SM-102 benchmark, coupled with a substantial reduction in hepatic off-target expression. Flow cytometry confirmed preferential transfection of NeuN+ neurons, and safety assessments indicated no significant blood-brain barrier compromise or induction of systemic inflammation. The efficacy of C14-306 is attributed to its tailored pKa, promoting extended circulation and enhanced endosomal escape within brain cells. C14-306 represents a promising platform for systemic mRNA therapeutics targeting neurological disorders.
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DC60950 FL0445 Featured
FL0445 is a biodegradable, multi-branched ionizable lipid featuring an ionizable amine-containing headgroup together with ester and carbonate linkages. When formulated with DOPE, cholesterol, and a PEG lipid, FL0445-LNP enabled efficient delivery of both linear mRNA and structurally constrained capped circular RNA (Cap-cirRNA). In the reported study, the optimized formulation produced substantially higher in vitro protein expression than benchmark LNPs based on MC3, SM-102, or ALC-0315 and demonstrated functional nucleic-acid delivery following intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous administration in mice. The platform was also evaluated for mRNA vaccination, ASO-mediated gene silencing, pDNA delivery, and GLP-1-encoding Cap-cirRNA. FL0445-LNP induced comparatively low inflammatory cytokine responses and showed favorable single-dose tolerability in the tested mouse models, supporting its further evaluation as a versatile preclinical delivery lipid for mRNA, circular RNA, and other nucleic-acid modalities.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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DC65329 ALC-0315 analogue-2 Featured
ALC-0315 analogue-2 is an analogue of ALC-0315. ALC-0315 is an ionisable aminolipid that is responsible for mRNA compaction and aids mRNA cellular delivery and its cytoplasmic release through suspected endosomal destabilization. ALC-0315 can be used to form lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery vehicles. Lipid-Nanoparticles have been used in the research of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
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DC60979 Ionizable lipid-3 (SM-102 analogue) Featured
Ionizable lipid-3( SM-102 analogu) is a cationic lipid for nucleic acid delivery, with the ability to form lipid nanoparticle mRNA vaccines that exhibit in vitro stability and immunostimulatory activity.This SM-102 analogue retains the ionizable tertiary amine and asymmetric hydrophobic architecture while replacing the ester linkages with carbonate groups and repositioning the hydroxyl functionality. These modifications are designed to tune biodegradability, membrane interactions, and LNP delivery performance.
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DC60965 Ionizable lipid-2 (ALC-0315 analogue) Featured
Ionizable lipid-2 is a cationic lipid for nucleic acid delivery, with the ability to form lipid nanoparticle mRNA vaccines that exhibit in vitro stability and immunostimulatory activity.This ALC-0315 analogue retains its ionizable tertiary amine, hydroxybutyl headgroup, and dual branched hydrophobic tails, while replacing the two ester linkages with carbonate groups. This modification may alter hydrolytic stability, biodegradability, membrane interactions, and overall LNP delivery performance.
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DC60619 12T-O14
12T-O14 is a amidine-incorporated degradable (AID) lipid for versatile mRNA delivery. 12T-O14-LNPs mediate efficient intramuscular delivery of mRNA vaccines and systemic delivery of mRNA therapeutics without noticeable toxicity. 12T-O14 serves as a superior supplementary lipid to redirect liver-tropic LNPs to selectively target the lung or spleen via simple adjustment of the formulation.
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DC52025 SM-102 Featured
SM-102 is an ionizable amino lipid that has been used in combination with other lipids in the formation of lipid nanoparticles.Administration of luciferase mRNA in SM-102-containing lipid nanoparticles induces hepatic luciferase expression in mice. Formulations containing SM-102 have been used in the development of lipid nanoparticles for delivery of mRNA-based vaccines.
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DC42537 ALC-0315 Featured
ALC-0315 is an ionisable aminolipid that used for mRNA compaction and aids mRNA cellular delivery. ALC-0315 can be used to form lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery vehicles.
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DC67785 KC3-OA Featured
KC3-OA, chemically known as 3-((S)-2,2-di((Z)-octadec-9-en-1-yl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)-N,N-dimethylpropan-1-amine, is an ionizable cationic lipid (ICL) optimized for lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations in nucleic acid delivery, particularly for mRNA vaccines. It features a unique structure with mono-unsaturated alkyl chains (C18:1), which enhances oxidative stability compared to polyunsaturated analogs like KC3, while maintaining efficient membrane fusion and endosomal escape capabilities. In LNP compositions, KC3-OA is typically incorporated at 46–54 mol% of total lipids, with an N/P ratio of 4–6 relative to mRNA, ensuring high encapsulation efficiency and transfection potency. Experimental data demonstrate that KC3-OA-based LNPs achieve superior mRNA expression in human dendritic cells, outperforming alternatives like KC3-PA or KC3-01 in both in vitro and in vivo models. For instance, in FIG. 2, KC3-OA LNPs showed ~2-fold higher mCherry expression at low mRNA doses (0.1 μg/mL) due to improved cellular uptake and reduced degradation. Its synergy with anionic phospholipids like DPPS (5 mol%) further enhances dendritic cell targeting via receptor-mediated internalization, leading to robust CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens. This balance of stability, efficiency, and immunogenicity makes KC3-OA a leading candidate for next-generation vaccines.
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DC67480 Sanofi Lipid VII
Lipid VII is a novel ionizable cationic lipid developed by Sanofi.Lipid VII demonstrates exceptional performance as a lipid nanoparticle delivery system, combining high efficiency with outstanding safety. Cellular assays reveal VII achieves 180,000 RLU transfection efficiency under serum conditions, surpassing traditional SS-OP systems by 2.25-fold while maintaining perfect 100% cellular viability and eliminating cytotoxicity risks that plague alternatives. In vivo systemic delivery shows rapid whole-body biodistribution, reaching photon emission levels exceeding 1.00E+10 photons/sec within 48 hours. VII exhibits superior organ targeting with a liver-specific accumulation ratio of 9.0, outperforming SS-OP systems by 50%, while reducing off-target spleen accumulation by 20%. Its versatility is further validated in therapeutic protein expression, where structural analogs achieve erythropoietin concentrations of 14 ng/mL, exceeding industry standards by 180%. For vaccine applications, VII generates a median HAI titer of 7,611 against H1N1 influenza—540 times higher than baseline buffers and more than double the next-best formulation. This evidence establishes VII as a breakthrough technology, offering unmatched efficiency, precision targeting, and clinical-grade safety across diverse applications.
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DC66221 E12CA1A3
E12CA1A3 is an ionizable cationic lipid (pKa = 6.4) that has been used in the generation of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for the delivery of mRNA in vitro and in vivo.1 LNPs containing E12CA1A3 and encapsulating an mRNA reporter induce luciferase reporter expression in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and mice. LNPs containing E12CA1A3 are cleared more rapidly from the liver than LNPs containing DLin-MC3-DMA (Item No. 34364) in mice.
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DC67558 AMG1541 Featured
AMG-1541 is a degradable cyclic amino alcohol ionizable lipid optimized for mRNA vaccine delivery using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Formulated typically with DOPE, cholesterol, and PEG-lipids, AMG 1541 LNPs have a diameter of ~85 nm, PDI of 0.107, and encapsulation efficiency of 67%, ensuring stability and efficient mRNA delivery. In vitro, it outperforms benchmarks like SM-102, showing enhanced transfection in cells such as C2C12 and PBMCs. In vivo, intramuscular administration in mice results in robust protein expression within 6 hours and induces potent immune responses, including high antibody titers and Th1-biased T-cell activation, with minimal inflammation. Mechanistically, its β-hydroxyl groups form hydrogen bonds with mRNA phosphate backbones, facilitating endosomal escape. AMG1541 degrades rapidly under enzymatic conditions, reducing long-term toxicity, and is effective for vaccines targeting pathogens like influenza and SARS-CoV-2, making it a promising candidate for clinical applications.
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DC66219 Lipid 88 Featured
Lipid88​​ is a high-performance, novel ionizable lipid component engineered for advanced mRNA-LNP vaccine delivery. LNP88 formulation demonstrates superior biodistribution, achieving >10-fold higher transfection efficiency in spleen and lymph nodes compared to benchmark lipids like ALC-0315 via intramuscular delivery. When encapsulating antigen-encoding mRNA (e.g., optimized mCSA construct), Lipid-88 based LNPs drive robust humoral and cellular immunity, enabling complete protection against challenging SARS-CoV-2 variants (WA1/2020, Omicron BA.1, BQ.1) in preclinical models. Its design prioritizes potent immunogenicity with favorable safety profiles.
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DC67536 Lipid A1-EP10-O18A
A1-EP10-O18A​​ is an ​​asymmetric ionizable lipid​​ developed by Starna Therapeutics for mRNA vaccine delivery. Synthesized via Michael addition between amine alcohols and acrylates, its optimized structure—combining a hydrophilic C10 chain and hydrophobic unsaturated C18 tail—enables pH-dependent ionization. As the core component of the ​​STAR0225 lipid nanoparticle (LNP)​​ platform, it efficiently encapsulates mRNA and facilitates endosomal escape. Preclinical studies demonstrate superior in vivo mRNA delivery (vs. commercial SM102 LNPs), with enhanced local biodistribution and minimal off-target accumulation. This lipid underpins ​​STR-V003​​, an RSV prefusion F mRNA vaccine showing robust immunogenicity and protection in animal models, supporting its clinical transition (NCT06344975).
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DC60467 C12-TLRa
C12-TLRa is an adjuvant lipidoid. C12-TLRa substitution can enhance the immunogenicity of clinically relevant SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-LNP vaccines, which holds translational potential.
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DC60839 A2T2C9 (CP-LC-1465) Featured
A2T2C9 (CP-LC-1465) is an imidazole-based ionizable lipid with branched hydrophobic chains and β-propionate linkers, formulated in four-component LNPs for spleen-targeted mRNA delivery. It achieves >80% spleen selectivity with protein expression exceeding 1×10⁷ p/s in mice, driven by its negative zeta potential (-9.7 to -19 mV). Structural features including imidazole polar head and branched acrylate (C9) enhance splenic tropism, potentially through distinct protein corona interactions. Demonstrated low cytotoxicity (>75% viability in splenic cells) and biodegradability via pH-sensitive linkers enable efficient mRNA delivery without permanent charged additives, outperforming conventional anionic SORT systems in selectivity and therapeutic potential.
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DC67463 CP-LC-1428
Derived from the natural amino acid homocysteine, CP-LC-1428 is an ionizable cationic lipid that enables highly efficient in vivo delivery of multiple RNA formats (including mRNA, cRNA and saRNA) with robust protein expression. When formulated into standard LNPs (50:38.5:10:1.5 molar ratio of ionizable lipid:cholesterol:DOPE:PEG-lipid), it demonstrates superior spleen-selective targeting compared to conventional delivery systems following intravenous administration, while maintaining an excellent safety profile.
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DC67460 CP-LC-1422
Derived from the natural amino acid homocysteine, CP-LC-1422 is an ionizable cationic lipid that enables robust in vivo delivery of various RNA forms (mRNA, cRNA, and saRNA), driving high protein expression. When formulated into LNPs (50/38.5/10/1.5 molar ratio of ionizable lipid/cholesterol/DOPE/PEG-lipid), it achieves superior spleen-specific targeting compared to commercial options through intravenous administration, while maintaining an excellent safety profile.
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DC60828 YK-TLR-001 Featured
YK-TLR-001 is a cyclic acetal-based ionizable lipid for mRNA delivery. YK-TLR-001 LNPs are demonstrated to enhance mRNA expression in the spleens and to induce exceptional maturation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and to promote antigen presentation.
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DC60664 Si12-C10
Si12-C10 is a siloxane-incorporated lipid for spleen-targeting mRNA delivery. The siloxane moieties enhance cellular internalization of mRNA-LNPs and improve their endosomal escape capacity, augmenting their mRNA delivery efficacy.
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DC60684 Lipid I97
Lipid I97 is a vitamin B5-derived ionizable lipid for mRNA vaccine delivery. Lipid I97 LNP specifically delivers the mRNA to the spleen and lymph nodes in model mice, induces balanced Th1/Th2 immune responses, and elicits the production of high levels of neutralizing antibodies with low toxicity.
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DC68030 C6mPhE-383 Featured
C6mPhE-383 is a top-performing ionizable lipid featuring an aromatic ring and a bioreducible disulfide bond. Formulated into lipid nanoparticles, it preferentially delivers mRNA to lymphoid tissues (lymph nodes/spleen) while minimizing off-target liver accumulation after intramuscular injection. In a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine study, it elicited strong antibody responses, promoted protective effector memory T cells, and exhibited enhanced safety by significantly reducing systemic inflammatory cytokines compared to the standard SM-102 LNP.
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DC67633 Lipid KEL12
(4S)-KEL12​​ is a novel, biodegradable ionizable lipid developed for advanced mRNA vaccine delivery. It was rationally designed by incorporating both a ketal group in the linker and ester segments in the hydrophobic tails, a dual-degradable strategy aimed at enhancing its safety profile. Through iterative optimization, (4S)-KEL12 was identified as a lead candidate with an optimal pKa value of approximately 6.78, which is crucial for efficient mRNA encapsulation and endosomal release.
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DC60925 Lipid H5T5 Featured
H5T5 is a leading ionizable lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation optimized for in vivomRNA delivery, featuring a pKa of 6.51, a size of ~154 nm, and a narrow polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.05. It demonstrated superior in vitromRNA transfection efficiency in primary immune cells, such as bone marrow-derived macrophages. Following intravenous administration, H5T5 exhibits precise organotropism, predominantly targeting the spleen and bone marrow, where it effectively delivers mRNA to a broad spectrum of immune cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells, B cells, and NK cells. This capability enables its core application: the in vivogeneration of "pan-CAR" immune cells. When loaded with anti-HER2 CAR mRNA, the H5T5-based therapy achieved potent tumor regression and prolonged survival in multiple solid tumor models. Preliminary safety assessments indicated a manageable cytokine profile and no significant organ toxicity, positioning it as a promising platform for in vivocell engineering.
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DC60856 DMA4-H228 Featured
DMA4-H228 is a novel, biodegradable lipidoid specifically engineered for spleen-targeted mRNA delivery.​​ Its structure combines a dimethylamino (DMA4) headgroup with a unique hyperbranched lipid tail (H228) synthesized via Michael addition, incorporating ester bonds for enhanced biodegradability. This design enables the formation of stable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) (~170 nm) with high mRNA encapsulation efficiency (>96%). Critically, DMA4-H228 exhibits exceptional intrinsic tropism for the spleen (>98% targeting efficiency after IV administration), requiring no external targeting ligands. It selectively delivers mRNA to splenic antigen-presenting cells (APCs), including dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells. This triggers potent immune activation: rapid IFNα secretion, upregulation of APC maturation markers (CD86/CD40), and robust antigen-specific immune responses. Demonstrating significant therapeutic potential, DMA4-H228-based mRNA vaccines effectively inhibit tumor growth in melanoma models (e.g., B16F10-OVA). This correlates with increased tumor-infiltrating CD8⁺ T cells, a shift towards pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages, elevated antigen-specific antibodies (IgG), and strong T cell responses (evidenced by IFNγ⁺ spots). Its ability to bypass liver tropism and directly activate splenic APCs makes DMA4-H228 a powerful platform for next-generation mRNA vaccines and cancer immunotherapy.
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DC67450 A28-C6B2 Featured
A28-C6B2 is a biodegradable ionizable lipid specifically engineered for spleen-targeted delivery. Through its unique branched structure, it bypasses hepatic uptake to achieve highly efficient transfection of F4/80+ macrophages and CD11c+ dendritic cells within the spleen. This lipid remains neutral in the bloodstream to minimize non-specific interactions, while undergoing protonation in the acidic environment of the endosome to facilitate nucleic acid release, thereby significantly enhancing the potency of mRNA vaccines and immunotherapies.
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DC67556 Lipid 2308 Featured
Sail Lipid 2308​ is a novel ionizable lipid targeting to spleen developed by Sai Biomedicine.As described on US20250205167A1, Lipid 2308 was designed with a ​​piperidine core​​ (6-membered ring) and asymmetric C17/C11 chains, this lipid achieves unprecedented ​​spleen-specificity​​. It demonstrates dominant spleen accumulation (Spleen RLU: ​​7.8E+06​​, 91.8% of total signal) with a record ​​spleen-to-liver ratio of 112.7​​ (9× higher than 2231). Despite lower protein expression (hEPO: 11,000 ng/mL), near-zero liver uptake (Liver RLU: 66,000) makes Lipid 2308 unparalleled for vaccine/immunotherapy applications targeting splenic immune cells.
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