Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K48/00—Medicinal preparations containing genetic material which is inserted into cells of the living body to treat genetic diseases; Gene therapy
  • A61K48/0008—Medicinal preparations containing genetic material which is inserted into cells of the living body to treat genetic diseases; Gene therapy characterised by an aspect of the 'non-active' part of the composition delivered, e.g. wherein such 'non-active' part is not delivered simultaneously with the 'active' part of the composition
  • A61K48/0025—Medicinal preparations containing genetic material which is inserted into cells of the living body to treat genetic diseases; Gene therapy characterised by an aspect of the 'non-active' part of the composition delivered, e.g. wherein such 'non-active' part is not delivered simultaneously with the 'active' part of the composition wherein the non-active part clearly interacts with the delivered nucleic acid
  • A61K48/0033—Medicinal preparations containing genetic material which is inserted into cells of the living body to treat genetic diseases; Gene therapy characterised by an aspect of the 'non-active' part of the composition delivered, e.g. wherein such 'non-active' part is not delivered simultaneously with the 'active' part of the composition wherein the non-active part clearly interacts with the delivered nucleic acid the non-active part being non-polymeric
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
  • A61K31/70—Carbohydrates; Sugars; Derivatives thereof
  • A61K31/7088—Compounds having three or more nucleosides or nucleotides
  • A61K31/713—Double-stranded nucleic acids or oligonucleotides
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/06—Organic compounds, e.g. natural or synthetic hydrocarbons, polyolefins, mineral oil, petrolatum or ozokerite
  • A61K47/16—Organic compounds, e.g. natural or synthetic hydrocarbons, polyolefins, mineral oil, petrolatum or ozokerite containing nitrogen, e.g. nitro-, nitroso-, azo-compounds, nitriles, cyanates
  • A61K47/18—Amines; Amides; Ureas; Quaternary ammonium compounds; Amino acids; Oligopeptides having up to five amino acids
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/06—Organic compounds, e.g. natural or synthetic hydrocarbons, polyolefins, mineral oil, petrolatum or ozokerite
  • A61K47/24—Organic compounds, e.g. natural or synthetic hydrocarbons, polyolefins, mineral oil, petrolatum or ozokerite containing atoms other than carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, halogen, nitrogen or sulfur, e.g. cyclomethicone or phospholipids
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/06—Organic compounds, e.g. natural or synthetic hydrocarbons, polyolefins, mineral oil, petrolatum or ozokerite
  • A61K47/28—Steroids, e.g. cholesterol, bile acids or glycyrrhetinic acid
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
  • A61K9/10—Dispersions; Emulsions
  • A61K9/127—Synthetic bilayered vehicles, e.g. liposomes or liposomes with cholesterol as the only non-phosphatidyl surfactant
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07C—ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
  • C07C219/00—Compounds containing amino and esterified hydroxy groups bound to the same carbon skeleton
  • C07C219/02—Compounds containing amino and esterified hydroxy groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having esterified hydroxy groups and amino groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton
  • C07C219/04—Compounds containing amino and esterified hydroxy groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having esterified hydroxy groups and amino groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being acyclic and saturated
  • C07C219/06—Compounds containing amino and esterified hydroxy groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having esterified hydroxy groups and amino groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being acyclic and saturated having the hydroxy groups esterified by carboxylic acids having the esterifying carboxyl groups bound to hydrogen atoms or to acyclic carbon atoms of an acyclic saturated carbon skeleton
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  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07C—ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
  • C07C229/00—Compounds containing amino and carboxyl groups bound to the same carbon skeleton
  • C07C229/02—Compounds containing amino and carboxyl groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having amino and carboxyl groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton
  • C07C229/04—Compounds containing amino and carboxyl groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having amino and carboxyl groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being acyclic and saturated
  • C07C229/06—Compounds containing amino and carboxyl groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having amino and carboxyl groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being acyclic and saturated having only one amino and one carboxyl group bound to the carbon skeleton
  • C07C229/10—Compounds containing amino and carboxyl groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having amino and carboxyl groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being acyclic and saturated having only one amino and one carboxyl group bound to the carbon skeleton the nitrogen atom of the amino group being further bound to acyclic carbon atoms or to carbon atoms of rings other than six-membered aromatic rings
  • C07C229/12—Compounds containing amino and carboxyl groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having amino and carboxyl groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being acyclic and saturated having only one amino and one carboxyl group bound to the carbon skeleton the nitrogen atom of the amino group being further bound to acyclic carbon atoms or to carbon atoms of rings other than six-membered aromatic rings to carbon atoms of acyclic carbon skeletons
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07C—ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
  • C07C229/00—Compounds containing amino and carboxyl groups bound to the same carbon skeleton
  • C07C229/02—Compounds containing amino and carboxyl groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having amino and carboxyl groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton
  • C07C229/04—Compounds containing amino and carboxyl groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having amino and carboxyl groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being acyclic and saturated
  • C07C229/06—Compounds containing amino and carboxyl groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having amino and carboxyl groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being acyclic and saturated having only one amino and one carboxyl group bound to the carbon skeleton
  • C07C229/10—Compounds containing amino and carboxyl groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having amino and carboxyl groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being acyclic and saturated having only one amino and one carboxyl group bound to the carbon skeleton the nitrogen atom of the amino group being further bound to acyclic carbon atoms or to carbon atoms of rings other than six-membered aromatic rings
  • C07C229/16—Compounds containing amino and carboxyl groups bound to the same carbon skeleton having amino and carboxyl groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms of the same carbon skeleton the carbon skeleton being acyclic and saturated having only one amino and one carboxyl group bound to the carbon skeleton the nitrogen atom of the amino group being further bound to acyclic carbon atoms or to carbon atoms of rings other than six-membered aromatic rings to carbon atoms of hydrocarbon radicals substituted by amino or carboxyl groups, e.g. ethylenediamine-tetra-acetic acid, iminodiacetic acids
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07C—ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
  • C07C233/00—Carboxylic acid amides
  • C07C233/01—Carboxylic acid amides having carbon atoms of carboxamide groups bound to hydrogen atoms or to acyclic carbon atoms
  • C07C233/16—Carboxylic acid amides having carbon atoms of carboxamide groups bound to hydrogen atoms or to acyclic carbon atoms having the nitrogen atom of at least one of the carboxamide groups bound to a carbon atom of a hydrocarbon radical substituted by singly-bound oxygen atoms
  • C07C233/17—Carboxylic acid amides having carbon atoms of carboxamide groups bound to hydrogen atoms or to acyclic carbon atoms having the nitrogen atom of at least one of the carboxamide groups bound to a carbon atom of a hydrocarbon radical substituted by singly-bound oxygen atoms with the substituted hydrocarbon radical bound to the nitrogen atom of the carboxamide group by an acyclic carbon atom
  • C07C233/18—Carboxylic acid amides having carbon atoms of carboxamide groups bound to hydrogen atoms or to acyclic carbon atoms having the nitrogen atom of at least one of the carboxamide groups bound to a carbon atom of a hydrocarbon radical substituted by singly-bound oxygen atoms with the substituted hydrocarbon radical bound to the nitrogen atom of the carboxamide group by an acyclic carbon atom having the carbon atom of the carboxamide group bound to a hydrogen atom or to a carbon atom of an acyclic saturated carbon skeleton
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07C—ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
  • C07C255/00—Carboxylic acid nitriles
  • C07C255/01—Carboxylic acid nitriles having cyano groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms
  • C07C255/24—Carboxylic acid nitriles having cyano groups bound to acyclic carbon atoms containing cyano groups and singly-bound nitrogen atoms, not being further bound to other hetero atoms, bound to the same saturated acyclic carbon skeleton
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  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N9/00—Enzymes; Proenzymes; Compositions thereof; Processes for preparing, activating, inhibiting, separating or purifying enzymes
  • C12N9/0004—Oxidoreductases (1.)
  • C12N9/0069—Oxidoreductases (1.) acting on single donors with incorporation of molecular oxygen, i.e. oxygenases (1.13)
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12Y—ENZYMES
  • C12Y113/00—Oxidoreductases acting on single donors with incorporation of molecular oxygen (oxygenases) (1.13)
  • C12Y113/12—Oxidoreductases acting on single donors with incorporation of molecular oxygen (oxygenases) (1.13) with incorporation of one atom of oxygen (internal monooxygenases or internal mixed function oxidases)(1.13.12)
  • C12Y113/12007—Photinus-luciferin 4-monooxygenase (ATP-hydrolysing) (1.13.12.7), i.e. firefly-luciferase

Definitions

• the present invention generally relates to novel cationic lipids that can be used in combination with other lipid components, such as neutral lipids, cholesterol and polymer conjugated lipids, to form lipid nanoparticles with oligonucleotides, to facilitate the intracellular delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids (e.g. oligonucleotides, messenger RNA) both in vitro and in vivo.
• lipid components such as neutral lipids, cholesterol and polymer conjugated lipids
• oligonucleotides e.g. oligonucleotides, messenger RNA
• nucleic acid based therapeutics have enormous potential but there remains a need for more effective delivery of nucleic acids to appropriate sites within a cell or organism in order to realize this potential.
• Therapeutic nucleic acids include, e.g., messenger RNA (mRNA), antisense
• nucleic acids such as mRNA or plasmids
• mRNA or plasmids can be used to effect expression of specific cellular products as would be useful in the treatment of, for example, diseases related to a deficiency of a protein or enzyme.
• the therapeutic applications of translatable nucleotide delivery are extremely broad as constructs can be synthesized to produce any chosen protein sequence, whether or not indigenous to the system.
• the expression products of the nucleic acid can augment existing levels of protein, replace missing or non-functional versions of a protein, or introduce new protein and associated functionality in a cell or organism.
• nucleic acids such as miRNA inhibitors
• miRNA inhibitors can be used to effect expression of specific cellular products that are regulated by miRNA as would be useful in the treatment of, for example, diseases related to deficiency of protein or enzyme.
• the therapeutic applications of miRNA inhibition are extremely broad as constructs can be synthesized to inhibit one or more miRNA that would in turn regulate the expression of mRNA products.
• the inhibition of endogenous miRNA can augment its downstream target endogenous protein expression and restore proper function in a cell or organism as a means to treat disease associated to a specific miRNA or a group of miRNA.
• nucleic acids can down-regulate intracellular levels of specific mRNA and, as a result, down-regulate the synthesis of the corresponding proteins through processes such as RNA interference (RNAi) or complementary binding of antisense RNA.
• RNA interference RNA interference
• the therapeutic applications of antisense oligonucleotide and RNAi are also extremely broad, since oligonucleotide constructs can be synthesized with any nucleotide sequence directed against a target mRNA.
• Targets may include mRNAs from normal cells, mRNAs associated with disease-states, such as cancer, and mRNAs of infectious agents, such as viruses.
• antisense oligonucleotide constructs have shown the ability to specifically down-regulate target proteins through degradation of the cognate mRNA in both in vitro and in vivo models.
• antisense oligonucleotide constructs are currently being evaluated in clinical studies.
• RNAs are susceptible to nuclease digestion in plasma.
• free RNAs have limited ability to gain access to the intracellular compartment where the relevant translation machinery resides.
• Lipid nanoparticles formed from cationic lipids with other lipid components, such as neutral lipids, cholesterol, PEG, PEGylated lipids, and oligonucleotides have been used to block degradation of the RNAs in plasma and facilitate the cellular uptake of the oligonucleotides.
• these lipid nanoparticles would provide optimal drug:lipid ratios, protect the nucleic acid from degradation and clearance in serum, be suitable for systemic or local delivery, and provide intracellular delivery of the nucleic acid.
• these lipid-nucleic acid particles should be well-tolerated and provide an adequate therapeutic index, such that patient treatment at an effective dose of the nucleic acid is not associated with unacceptable toxicity and/or risk to the patient.
• the present invention provides these and related advantages.
• the present invention provides lipid compounds, including stereoisomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or tautomers thereof, which can be used alone or in combination with other lipid components such as neutral lipids, charged lipids, steroids (including for example, all sterols) and/or their analogs, and/or polymer conjugated lipids to form lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of therapeutic agents.
• the lipid nanoparticles are used to deliver nucleic acids such as antisense and/or messenger RNA. Methods for use of such lipid nanoparticles for treatment of various diseases or conditions, such as those caused by infectious entities and/or insufficiency of a protein, are also provided.
• R L , I , G , G and G J are as defined herein.
• compositions comprising one or more of the foregoing compounds of structure (I) and a therapeutic agent are also provided.
• the pharmaceutical compositions further comprise one or more components selected from neutral lipids, charged lipids, steroids and polymer conjugated lipids. Such compositions are useful for formation of lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of the therapeutic agent.
• the present invention provides a method for administering a therapeutic agent to a patient in need thereof, the method comprising preparing a composition of lipid nanoparticles comprising the compound of structure (I) and a therapeutic agent and delivering the composition to the patient.
• Figure 1 shows time course of luciferase expression in mouse liver.
• Figure 2 illustrates the calculation of pKa for MC3 as a representative example relevant to the disclosed lipids.
• Figure 3 provides comparative luciferase activity data for selected lipids
• the present invention is based, in part, upon the discovery of novel cationic (amino) lipids that provide advantages when used in lipid nanoparticles for the in vivo delivery of an active or therapeutic agent such as a nucleic acid into a cell of a mammal.
• embodiments of the present invention provide nucleic acid-lipid nanoparticle compositions comprising one or more of the novel cationic lipids described herein that provide increased activity of the nucleic acid and improved tolerability of the compositions in vivo, resulting in a significant increase in the therapeutic index as compared to nucleic acid-lipid nanoparticle compositions previously described.
• the present invention provides novel cationic lipids that enable the formulation of improved compositions for the in vitro and in vivo delivery of mRNA and/or other oligonucleotides.
• these improved lipid nanoparticle compositions are useful for expression of protein encoded by mRNA.
• these improved lipid nanoparticles compositions are useful for upregulation of endogenous protein expression by delivering miRNA inhibitors targeting one specific miRNA or a group of miRNA regulating one target mRNA or several mRNA.
• these improved lipid nanoparticle compositions are useful for down-regulating (e.g., silencing) the protein levels and/or mRNA levels of target genes.
• the lipid nanoparticles are also useful for delivery of mRNA and plasmids for expression of transgenes.
• the lipid nanoparticle compositions are useful for inducing a pharmacological effect resulting from expression of a protein, e.g., increased production of red blood cells through the delivery of a suitable erythropoietin mRNA, or protection against infection through delivery of mRNA encoding for a suitable antigen or antibody.
• lipid nanoparticles and compositions of the present invention may be used for a variety of purposes, including the delivery of encapsulated or associated (e.g., complexed) therapeutic agents such as nucleic acids to cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide methods of treating or preventing diseases or disorders in a subject in need thereof by contacting the subject with a lipid nanoparticle that encapsulates or is associated with a suitable therapeutic agent, wherein the lipid nanoparticle comprises one or more of the novel cationic lipids described herein.
• embodiments of the lipid nanoparticles of the present invention are particularly useful for the delivery of nucleic acids, including, e.g., mRNA, antisense oligonucleotide, plasmid DNA, microRNA (miRNA), miRNA inhibitors (antagomirs/antimirs), messenger-RNA-interfering complementary RNA (micRNA), DNA, multivalent RNA, dicer substrate RNA, complementary DNA (cDNA), etc.
• nucleic acids including, e.g., mRNA, antisense oligonucleotide, plasmid DNA, microRNA (miRNA), miRNA inhibitors (antagomirs/antimirs), messenger-RNA-interfering complementary RNA (micRNA), DNA, multivalent RNA, dicer substrate RNA, complementary DNA (cDNA), etc.
• the lipid nanoparticles and compositions of the present invention may be used to induce expression of a desired protein both in vitro and in vivo by contacting cells with a lipid nanoparticle comprising one or more novel cationic lipids described herein, wherein the lipid nanoparticle encapsulates or is associated with a nucleic acid that is expressed to produce the desired protein (e.g., a messenger RNA or plasmid encoding the desired protein) or inhibit processes that terminate expression of mRNA (e.g., miRNA inhibitors).
• a desired protein e.g., a messenger RNA or plasmid encoding the desired protein
• miRNA inhibitors e.g., miRNA inhibitors
• the lipid nanoparticles and compositions of the present invention may be used to decrease the expression of target genes and proteins both in vitro and in vivo by contacting cells with a lipid nanoparticle comprising one or more novel cationic lipids described herein, wherein the lipid nanoparticle encapsulates or is associated with a nucleic acid that reduces target gene expression (e.g., an antisense oligonucleotide or small interfering RNA (siRNA)).
• a nucleic acid that reduces target gene expression e.g., an antisense oligonucleotide or small interfering RNA (siRNA)
• the lipid nanoparticles and compositions of the present invention may also be used for co- delivery of different nucleic acids (e.g.
• mRNA and plasmid DNA separately or in combination, such as may be useful to provide an effect requiring colocalization of different nucleic acids (e.g. mRNA encoding for a suitable gene modifying enzyme and DNA segment(s) for incorporation into the host genome).
• nucleic acids e.g. mRNA encoding for a suitable gene modifying enzyme and DNA segment(s) for incorporation into the host genome.
• Nucleic acids for use with this invention may be prepared according to any available technique.
• the primary methodology of preparation is, but not limited to, enzymatic synthesis (also termed in vitro transcription) which currently represents the most efficient method to produce long sequence-specific mRNA.
• In vitro transcription describes a process of template-directed synthesis of RNA molecules from an engineered DNA template comprised of an upstream bacteriophage promoter sequence (e.g. including but not limited to that from the T7, T3 and SP6 coliphage) linked to a downstream sequence encoding the gene of interest.
• an upstream bacteriophage promoter sequence e.g. including but not limited to that from the T7, T3 and SP6 coliphage
• Template DNA can be prepared for in vitro transcription from a number of sources with appropriate techniques which are well known in the art including, but not limited to, plasmid DNA and polymerase chain reaction amplification (see Linpinsel, J.L and Conn, G.L., General protocols for preparation of plasmid DNA template and Bowman, J.C., Azizi, B., Lenz, T.K., Ray, P., and Williams, L.D. in RNA in vitro transcription and RNA purification by denaturing PAGE in Recombinant and in vitro RNA syntheses Methods v. 941 Conn G.L. (ed), New York, N.Y. Humana Press, 2012)
• RNA polymerase adenosine, guanosine, uridine and cytidine ribonucleoside triphosphates (rNTPs) under conditions that support polymerase activity while minimizing potential degradation of the resultant mRNA transcripts.
• rNTPs ribonucleoside triphosphates
• In vitro transcription can be performed using a variety of commercially available kits including, but not limited to RiboMax Large Scale RNA Production System (Promega), MegaScript Transcription kits (Life Technologies) as well as with commercially available reagents including RNA polymerases and rNTPs.
• the methodology for in vitro transcription of mRNA is well known in the art. (see, e.g.
• the desired in vitro transcribed mRNA is then purified from the undesired components of the transcription or associated reactions (including
• RNA transcripts unincorporated rNTPs, protein enzyme, salts, short RNA oligos, etc.).
• Techniques for the isolation of the mRNA transcripts are well known in the art. Well known procedures include phenol/chloroform extraction or precipitation with either alcohol (ethanol, isopropanol) in the presence of monovalent cations or lithium chloride.
• RNA in vitro transcription and RNA purification by denaturing PAGE in Recombinant and in vitro RNA syntheses Methods v. 941 Conn G.L. (ed), New York, N.Y. Humana Press, 2012 ).
• Purification can be performed using a variety of commercially available kits including, but not limited to SV Total Isolation System (Promega) and In Vitro
• RNA impurities associated with undesired polymerase activity which may need to be removed from the full-length mRNA preparation.
• RNA impurities include short RNAs that result from abortive transcription initiation as well as double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) generated by RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity, RNA-primed transcription from RNA templates and self- complementary 3' extension. It has been demonstrated that these contaminants with dsRNA structures can lead to undesired immunostimulatory activity through interaction with various innate immune sensors in eukaryotic cells that function to recognize specific nucleic acid structures and induce potent immune responses.
• dsRNA double-stranded RNA
• HPLC purification eliminates immune activation and improves translation of nucleoside- modified, protein-encoding mRNA, Nucl Acid Res, v.
• Endogenous eukaryotic mRNA typically contain a cap structure on the 5'- end of a mature molecule which plays an important role in mediating binding of the mRNA Cap Binding Protein (CBP), which is in turn responsible for enhancing mRNA stability in the cell and efficiency of mRNA translation. Therefore, highest levels of protein expression are achieved with capped mRNA transcripts.
• CBP mRNA Cap Binding Protein
• the 5 '-cap contains a 5 '-5 '-triphosphate linkage between the 5 '-most nucleotide and guanine nucleotide.
• the conjugated guanine nucleotide is methylated at the N7 position.
• modifications include methylation of the ultimate and penultimate most 5 '-nucleotides on the 2'-hydroxyl group.
• 5 '-capping of synthetic mRNA can be performed co- transcriptionally with chemical cap analogs (i.e. capping during in vitro transcription).
• the Anti -Reverse Cap Analog (ARC A) cap contains a 5 '-5 '-triphosphate guanine-guanine linkage where one guanine contains an N7 methyl group as well as a 3'-0-methyl group.
• ARC A Anti -Reverse Cap Analog
• the synthetic cap analog is not identical to the 5 '-cap structure of an authentic cellular mRNA, potentially reducing translatability and cellular stability.
• synthetic mRNA molecules may also be enzymatically capped post-transcriptionally. These may generate a more authentic 5 '-cap structure that more closely mimics, either structurally or functionally, the endogenous 5 '-cap which have enhanced binding of cap binding proteins, increased half-life, reduced susceptibility to 5' endonucleases and/or reduced 5' decapping. Numerous synthetic 5 '-cap analogs have been developed and are known in the art to enhance mRNA stability and translatability (see eg.
• poly-A tail On the 3 '-terminus, a long chain of adenine nucleotides (poly-A tail) is normally added to mRNA molecules during RNA processing. Immediately after transcription, the 3' end of the transcript is cleaved to free a 3' hydroxyl to which poly- A polymerase adds a chain of adenine nucleotides to the RNA in a process called polyadenylation.
• the poly-A tail has been extensively shown to enhance both translational efficiency and stability of mRNA (see Bernstein, P. and Ross, J., 1989, Poly (A), poly (A) binding protein and the regulation of mRNA stability, Trends Bio Sci v. 14 373-377; Guhaniyogi, J.
• Poly (A) tailing of in vitro transcribed mRNA can be achieved using various approaches including, but not limited to, cloning of a poly (T) tract into the
• the first case allows in vitro transcription of mRNA with poly (A) tails of defined length, depending on the size of the poly (T) tract, but requires additional manipulation of the template.
• the latter case involves the enzymatic addition of a poly (A) tail to in vitro transcribed mRNA using poly (A) polymerase which catalyzes the incorporation of adenine residues onto the 3 'termini of RNA, requiring no additional manipulation of the DNA template, but results in mRNA with poly(A) tails of heterogeneous length.
• 5'- capping and 3 '-poly (A) tailing can be performed using a variety of commercially available kits including, but not limited to Poly (A) Polymerase Tailing kit (EpiCenter), mMESSAGE mMACHINE T7 Ultra kit and Poly (A) Tailing kit (Life Technologies) as well as with commercially available reagents, various ARCA caps, Poly (A)
• modified nucleosides into in vitro transcribed mRNA can be used to prevent recognition and activation of RNA sensors, thus mitigating this undesired immunostimulatory activity and enhancing translation capacity (see e.g. Kariko, K. And Weissman, D.
• modified nucleosides and nucleotides used in the synthesis of modified RNAs can be prepared monitored and utilized using general methods and procedures known in the art.
• nucleoside modifications are available that may be incorporated alone or in combination with other modified nucleosides to some extent into the in vitro transcribed mRNA (see e.g.US2012/0251618). In vitro synthesis of nucleoside-modified mRNA have been reported to have reduced ability to activate immune sensors with a concomitant enhanced translational capacity.
• mRNA which can be modified to provide benefit in terms of translatability and stability
• 5' and 3' untranslated regions include the 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTR). Optimization of the UTRs (favorable 5' and 3' UTRs can be obtained from cellular or viral RNAs), either both or independently, have been shown to increase mRNA stability and translational efficiency of in vitro transcribed mRNA (see e.g. Pardi, N.,
• oligonucleotides In addition to mRNA, other nucleic acid payloads may be used for this invention.
• methods of preparation include but are not limited to chemical synthesis and enzymatic, chemical cleavage of a longer precursor, in vitro transcription as described above, etc. Methods of synthesizing DNA and RNA nucleotides are widely used and well known in the art (see, e.g. Gait, M. J. (ed.) Oligonucleotide synthesis: a practical approach, Oxford [Oxfordshire], Washington, D.C.: IRL Press, 1984; and Herdewijn, P. (ed.) Oligonucleotide synthesis: methods and applications, Methods in Molecular Biology, v. 288 (Clifton, N.J.) Totowa, N.J.:
• plasmid DNA preparation for use with this invention commonly utilizes but is not limited to expansion and isolation of the plasmid DNA in vitro in a liquid culture of bacteria containing the plasmid of interest.
• a gene in the plasmid of interest that encodes resistance to a particular antibiotic penicillin, kanamycin, etc.
• penicillin, kanamycin, etc. allows those bacteria containing the plasmid of interest to selectively grow in antibiotic-containing cultures.
• Methods of isolating plasmid DNA are widely used and well known in the art (see, e.g. Heilig, J., Elbing, K. L. and Brent, R (2001) Large-Scale Preparation of Plasmid DNA. Current Protocols in Molecular Biology.
• Plasmid isolation can be performed using a variety of commercially available kits including, but not limited to Plasmid Plus (Qiagen), GenJET plasmid MaxiPrep (Thermo) and Pure Yield MaxiPrep (Promega) kits as well as with commercially available reagents.
• lipid nanoparticles and compositions comprising the same and their use to deliver active (e.g. therapeutic agents), such as nucleic acids, to modulate gene and protein expression, are described in further detail below.
• active e.g. therapeutic agents
• nucleic acids such as nucleic acids
• test sample e.g. a sample of cells in culture expressing the desired protein
• test mammal e.g. a mammal such as a human or an animal model such as a rodent (e.g.
• a nucleic acid e.g. nucleic acid in combination with a lipid of the present invention.
• a control sample e.g. a sample of cells in culture expressing the desired protein
• a control mammal e.g., a mammal such as a human or an animal model such as a rodent (e.g. mouse) or non-human primate (e.g. monkey) model
• rodent e.g. mouse
• non-human primate e.g. monkey
• the expression of a desired protein in a control sample or a control mammal may be assigned a value of 1.0.
• inducing expression of a desired protein is achieved when the ratio of desired protein expression in the test sample or the test mammal to the level of desired protein expression in the control sample or the control mammal is greater than 1, for example, about 1.1, 1.5, 2.0. 5.0 or 10.0.
• inducing expression of a desired protein is achieved when any measurable level of the desired protein in the test sample or the test mammal is detected.
• the phrase "inhibiting expression of a target gene” refers to the ability of a nucleic acid to silence, reduce, or inhibit the expression of a target gene.
• a test sample e.g. a sample of cells in culture expressing the target gene
• a test mammal e.g. a mammal such as a human or an animal model such as a rodent (e.g. mouse) or a non-human primate (e.g. monkey) model
• a nucleic acid that silences, reduces, or inhibits expression of the target gene.
• Expression of the target gene in the test sample or test animal is compared to expression of the target gene in a control sample (e.g.
• a sample of cells in culture expressing the target gene or a control mammal (e.g. a mammal such as a human or an animal model such as a rodent (e.g. mouse) or non-human primate (e.g. monkey) model) that is not contacted with or administered the nucleic acid.
• a control mammal e.g. a mammal such as a human or an animal model such as a rodent (e.g. mouse) or non-human primate (e.g. monkey) model
• the expression of the target gene in a control sample or a control mammal may be assigned a value of 100%.
• silencing, inhibition, or reduction of expression of a target gene is achieved when the level of target gene expression in the test sample or the test mammal relative to the level of target gene expression in the control sample or the control mammal is about 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, or 0%.
• the nucleic acids are capable of silencing, reducing, or inhibiting the expression of a target gene by at least about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100% in a test sample or a test mammal relative to the level of target gene expression in a control sample or a control mammal not contacted with or administered the nucleic acid.
• Suitable assays for determining the level of target gene expression include, without limitation, examination of protein or mRNA levels using techniques known to those of skill in the art, such as, e.g., dot blots, northern blots, in situ hybridization, ELISA, immunoprecipitation, enzyme function, as well as phenotypic assays known to those of skill in the art.
• an “effective amount” or “therapeutically effective amount” of an active agent or therapeutic agent such as a therapeutic nucleic acid is an amount sufficient to produce the desired effect, e.g. an increase or inhibition of expression of a target sequence in comparison to the normal expression level detected in the absence of the nucleic acid.
• An increase in expression of a target sequence is achieved when any measurable level is detected in the case of an expression product that is not present in the absence of the nucleic acid.
• an in increase in expression is achieved when the fold increase in value obtained with a nucleic acid such as mRNA relative to control is about 1.05, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 5000, 10000 or greater.
• Inhibition of expression of a target gene or target sequence is achieved when the value obtained with a nucleic acid such as antisense oligonucleotide relative to the control is about 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%), 15%), 10%), 5%), or 0%.
• Suitable assays for measuring expression of a target gene or target sequence include, e.g., examination of protein or RNA levels using techniques known to those of skill in the art such as dot blots, northern blots, in situ hybridization, ELISA, immunoprecipitation, enzyme function, fluorescence or luminescence of suitable reporter proteins, as well as phenotypic assays known to those of skill in the art.
• nucleic acid refers to a polymer containing at least two deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides in either single- or double-stranded form and includes DNA, RNA, and hybrids thereof.
• DNA may be in the form of antisense molecules, plasmid DNA, cDNA, PCR products, or vectors.
• RNA may be in the form of small hairpin RNA (shRNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), antisense RNA, miRNA, micRNA, multivalent RNA, dicer substrate RNA or viral RNA (vRNA), and combinations thereof.
• Nucleic acids include nucleic acids containing known nucleotide analogs or modified backbone residues or linkages, which are synthetic, naturally occurring, and non-naturally occurring, and which have similar binding properties as the reference nucleic acid. Examples of such analogs include, without limitation, phosphorothioates, phosphoramidates, methyl phosphonates, chiral-methyl
• nucleic acids Unless specifically limited, the term encompasses nucleic acids containing known analogues of natural nucleotides that have similar binding properties as the reference nucleic acid. Unless otherwise indicated, a particular nucleic acid sequence also implicitly encompasses conservatively modified variants thereof (e.g., degenerate codon substitutions), alleles, orthologs, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and complementary sequences as well as the sequence explicitly indicated.
• degenerate codon substitutions may be achieved by generating sequences in which the third position of one or more selected (or all) codons is substituted with mixed-base and/or deoxyinosine residues (Batzer et al., Nucleic Acid Res., 19:5081 (1991); Ohtsuka et al., J. Biol.
• Nucleotides contain a sugar deoxyribose (DNA) or ribose (RNA), a base, and a phosphate group. Nucleotides are linked together through the phosphate groups.
• Bases include purines and pyrimidines, which further include natural compounds adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine, uracil, inosine, and natural analogs, and synthetic derivatives of purines and pyrimidines, which include, but are not limited to, modifications which place new reactive groups such as, but not limited to, amines, alcohols, thiols, carboxylates, and alkylhalides.
• gene refers to a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA or RNA) sequence that comprises partial length or entire length coding sequences necessary for the production of a polypeptide or precursor polypeptide.
• Gene product refers to a product of a gene such as an RNA transcript or a polypeptide.
• lipid refers to a group of organic compounds that include, but are not limited to, esters of fatty acids and are generally characterized by being poorly soluble in water, but soluble in many organic solvents. They are usually divided into at least three classes: (1) “simple lipids,” which include fats and oils as well as waxes; (2) “compound lipids,” which include phospholipids and glycolipids; and (3) “derived lipids” such as steroids.
• a “steroid” is a compound comprising the following carbon skeleton:
• Non-limiting examples of steroids include cholesterol, and the like.
• a "cationic lipid” refers to a lipid capable of being positively charged.
• Exemplary cationic lipids include one or more amine group(s) which bear the positive charge.
• Preferred cationic lipids are ionizable such that they can exist in a positively charged or neutral form depending on pH. The ionization of the cationic lipid affects the surface charge of the lipid nanoparticle under different pH conditions. This charge state can influence plasma protein absorption, blood clearance and tissue distribution (Semple, S.C., et al., Adv.
• polymer conjugated lipid refers to a molecule comprising both a lipid portion and a polymer portion.
• An example of a polymer conjugated lipid is a pegylated lipid.
• pegylated lipid refers to a molecule comprising both a lipid portion and a polyethylene glycol portion. Pegylated lipids are known in the art and include l-(monomethoxy-polyethyleneglycol)-2,3-dimyristoylglycerol
• neutral lipid refers to any of a number of lipid species that exist either in an uncharged or neutral zwitterionic form at a selected pH.
• lipids include, but are not limited to, phosphotidylcholines such as l,2-Distearoyl-s «-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC), l,2-Dipalmitoyl-5 «-glycero-3- phosphocholine (DPPC), l,2-Dimyristoyl-s «-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC), 1- Palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-s «-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), l,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine (DOPC), phophatidylethanolamines such as l,2-Dioleoyl-s «-glycero-3- phosphoethanolamine (DOPE), sphin
• charged lipid refers to any of a number of lipid species that exist in either a positively charged or negatively charged form independent of the pH within a useful physiological range e.g. pH ⁇ 3 to pH ⁇ 9.
• Charged lipids may be synthetic or naturally derived. Examples of charged lipids include phosphatidylserines, phosphatidic acids, phosphatidylglycerols, phosphatidylinositols, sterol hemi succinates, dialkyl trimethylammonium-propanes, (e.g. DOTAP, DOTMA), dialkyl
• dimethylaminopropanes ethyl phosphocholines, dimethylaminoethane carbamoyl sterols (e.g. DC-Choi).
• lipid nanoparticle refers to particles having at least one dimension on the order of nanometers (e.g., 1-1,000 nm) which include one or more of the compounds of structure (I) or other specified cationic lipids.
• lipid nanoparticles are included in a formulation that can be used to deliver an active agent or therapeutic agent, such as a nucleic acid (e.g., mRNA) to a target site of interest (e.g., cell, tissue, organ, tumor, and the like).
• a nucleic acid e.g., mRNA
• the lipid nanoparticles of the invention comprise a nucleic acid.
• Such lipid nanoparticles typically comprise a compound of structure (I) and one or more excipient selected from neutral lipids, charged lipids, steroids and polymer conjugated lipids.
• the active agent or therapeutic agent such as a nucleic acid, may be encapsulated in the lipid portion of the lipid nanoparticle or an aqueous space enveloped by some or all of the lipid portion of the lipid nanoparticle, thereby protecting it from enzymatic degradation or other undesirable effects induced by the mechanisms of the host organism or cells e.g. an adverse immune response.
• the lipid nanoparticles have a mean diameter of from about 30 nm to about 150 nm, from about 40 nm to about 150 nm, from about 50 nm to about 150 nm, from about 60 nm to about 130 nm, from about 70 nm to about 110 nm, from about 70 nm to about 100 nm, from about 80 nm to about 100 nm, from about 90 nm to about 100 nm, from about 70 to about 90 nm, from about 80 nm to about 90 nm, from about 70 nm to about 80 nm, or about 30 nm, 35 nm, 40 nm, 45 nm, 50 nm, 55 nm, 60 nm, 65 nm, 70 nm, 75 nm, 80 nm, 85 nm, 90 nm, 95 nm, 100 nm, 105 nm, 110 nm, 115 nm, 120 n
• nucleic acids when present in the lipid nanoparticles, are resistant in aqueous solution to degradation with a nuclease.
• Lipid nanoparticles comprising nucleic acids and their method of preparation are disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2004/0142025, 2007/0042031 and PCT Pub. Nos. WO 2013/016058 and WO 2013/086373, the full disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
• lipid encapsulated refers to a lipid nanoparticle that provides an active agent or therapeutic agent, such as a nucleic acid (e.g., mRNA), with full encapsulation, partial encapsulation, or both.
• a nucleic acid e.g., mRNA
• the nucleic acid is fully encapsulated in the lipid nanoparticle.
• aqueous solution refers to a composition comprising water.
• “Serum-stable” in relation to nucleic acid-lipid nanoparticles means that the nucleotide is not significantly degraded after exposure to a serum or nuclease assay that would significantly degrade free DNA or RNA.
• Suitable assays include, for example, a standard serum assay, a DNAse assay, or an RNAse assay.
• Systemic delivery refers to delivery of a therapeutic product that can result in a broad exposure of an active agent within an organism.
• Systemic delivery means that a useful, preferably therapeutic, amount of an agent is exposed to most parts of the body.
• Systemic delivery of lipid nanoparticles can be by any means known in the art including, for example, intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, and intraperitoneal delivery. In some embodiments, systemic delivery of lipid nanoparticles is by intravenous delivery.
• Local delivery refers to delivery of an active agent directly to a target site within an organism.
• an agent can be locally delivered by direct injection into a disease site such as a tumor, other target site such as a site of inflammation, or a target organ such as the liver, heart, pancreas, kidney, and the like.
• Local delivery can also include topical applications or localized injection techniques such as intramuscular, subcutaneous or intradermal injection. Local delivery does not preclude a systemic pharmacological effect.
• Alkyl refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain radical consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, which is saturated or unsaturated (i.e., contains one or more double (alkenyl) and/or triple bonds (alkynyl)), having, for example, from one to twenty-four carbon atoms (C 1 -C 24 alkyl), four to twenty carbon atoms (C 4 -C 20 alkyl), six to sixteen carbon atoms (C 6 -C 16 alkyl), six to nine carbon atoms (C6-C9 alkyl), one to fifteen carbon atoms (C 1 -C 15 alkyl),one to twelve carbon atoms (C 1 -C 12 alkyl), one to eight carbon atoms (Ci-C 8 alkyl) or one to six carbon atoms (Ci-C 6 alkyl) and which is attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond, e.g., methyl, ethyl, n propy
• alkyl group is optionally substituted.
• "Alkylene” or “alkylene chain” refers to a straight or branched divalent hydrocarbon chain linking the rest of the molecule to a radical group, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen, which is saturated or unsaturated (i.e., contains one or more double (alkenylene) and/or triple bonds (alkynylene)), and having, for example, from one to twenty-four carbon atoms (C 1 -C 24 alkylene), one to fifteen carbon atoms (C 1 -C 15 alkylene),one to twelve carbon atoms (C 1 -C 12 alkylene), one to eight carbon atoms (Ci- C 8 alkylene), one to six carbon atoms (Ci-C 6 alkylene), two to four carbon atoms (C 2 -C 4 alkylene), one to two carbon atoms (C 1 -C 2 alkylene), e.g., methylene, ethylene, propylene
• the alkylene chain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a single or double bond and to the radical group through a single or double bond.
• the points of attachment of the alkylene chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons within the chain.
• an alkylene chain may be optionally substituted.
• Cycloalkyl or “carbocyclic ring” refers to a stable non-aromatic monocyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon radical consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, which may include fused or bridged ring systems, having from three to fifteen carbon atoms, preferably having from three to ten carbon atoms, and which is saturated or unsaturated and attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond.
• Monocyclic radicals include, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and cyclooctyl.
• Polycyclic radicals include, for example, adamantyl, norbornyl, decalinyl, 7,7-dimethyl-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanyl, and the like. Unless otherwise stated specifically in the specification, a cycloalkyl group may be optionally substituted.
• Cycloalkylene is a divalent cycloalkyl group. Unless otherwise stated specifically in the specification, a cycloalkylene group may be optionally substituted.
• R ' is, at each occurrence, independently H, C 1 -C 15 alkyl or cycloalkyl, and x is 0, 1 or 2.
• the substituent is a C 1 -C 12 alkyl group.
• the substituent is a cycloalkyl group. In other embodiments, the substituent is a halo group, such as fluoro. In other embodiments, the substituent is an oxo group. In other embodiments, the substituent is a hydroxyl group. In other embodiments, the substituent is an alkoxy group (-OR ). In other embodiments, the substituent is a carboxyl group. In other embodiments, the substituent is an amine group(- R R ).
• Optional or “optionally substituted” means that the subsequently described event of circumstances may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances in which it does not.
• optionally substituted alkyl means that the alkyl radical may or may not be substituted and that the description includes both substituted alkyl radicals and alkyl radicals having no substitution.
• Prodrug is meant to indicate a compound that may be converted under physiological conditions or by solvolysis to a biologically active compound of the invention.
• prodrug refers to a metabolic precursor of a compound of the invention that is pharmaceutically acceptable.
• a prodrug may be inactive when administered to a subject in need thereof, but is converted in vivo to an active compound of the invention.
• Prodrugs are typically rapidly transformed in vivo to yield the parent compound of the invention, for example, by hydrolysis in blood.
• the prodrug compound often offers advantages of solubility, tissue compatibility or delayed release in a mammalian organism (see, Bundgard, H., Design of Prodrugs (1985), pp. 7-9, 21-24 (Elsevier, Amsterdam)).
• prodrugs of a compound of the invention may be prepared by modifying functional groups present in the compound of the invention in such a way that the modifications are cleaved, either in routine manipulation or in vivo, to the parent compound of the invention.
• Prodrugs include compounds of the invention wherein a hydroxy, amino or mercapto group is bonded to any group that, when the prodrug of the compound of the invention is administered to a mammalian subject, cleaves to form a free hydroxy, free amino or free mercapto group,
• prodrugs include, but are not limited to, acetate, formate and benzoate derivatives of alcohol or amide derivatives of amine functional groups in the compounds of the invention and the like.
• the invention disclosed herein is also meant to encompass all pharmaceutically acceptable compounds of the compound of structure (I) being isotopically-labelled by having one or more atoms replaced by an atom having a different atomic mass or mass number.
• isotopes that can be incorporated into the disclosed compounds include isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, fluorine, chlorine, and iodine, such as 2 H, 3 H, U C, 13 C, 14 C, 13 N, 15 N, 15 0, 17 0, 18 0, 31 P, 32 P, 35 S, 18 F, 36 C1, 123 I, and 125 I, respectively.
• radiolabeled compounds could be useful to help determine or measure the effectiveness of the compounds, by characterizing, for example, the site or mode of action, or binding affinity to pharmacologically important site of action.
• Certain isotopically-labelled compounds of structure (I) or (II), for example, those incorporating a radioactive isotope, are useful in drug and/or substrate tissue distribution studies.
• the radioactive isotopes tritium, i.e., 3 H, and carbon-14, i.e., 14 C, are particularly useful for this purpose in view of their ease of incorporation and ready means of detection.
• substitution with heavier isotopes such as deuterium, i.e., 2 H may afford certain therapeutic advantages resulting from greater metabolic stability, for example, increased in vivo half-life or reduced dosage requirements, and hence may be preferred in some circumstances.
• Substitution with positron emitting isotopes, such as U C, 18 F, 15 0 and 13 N can be useful in Positron Emission Topography (PET) studies for examining substrate receptor occupancy.
• PET Positron Emission Topography
• Isotopically-labeled compounds of structure (I) can generally be prepared by conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art or by processes analogous to those described in the Preparations and Examples as set out below using an appropriate isotopically-labeled reagent in place of the non-labeled reagent previously employed.
• the invention disclosed herein is also meant to encompass the in vivo metabolic products of the disclosed compounds. Such products may result from, for example, the oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, amidation, esterification, and the like of the administered compound, primarily due to enzymatic processes. Accordingly, the invention includes compounds produced by a process comprising administering a compound of this invention to a mammal for a period of time sufficient to yield a metabolic product thereof. Such products are typically identified by administering a radiolabeled compound of the invention in a detectable dose to an animal, such as rat, mouse, guinea pig, monkey, or to human, allowing sufficient time for metabolism to occur, and isolating its conversion products from the urine, blood or other biological samples.
• an animal such as rat, mouse, guinea pig, monkey, or to human
• Solid compound and “stable structure” are meant to indicate a compound that is sufficiently robust to survive isolation to a useful degree of purity from a reaction mixture, and formulation into an efficacious therapeutic agent.
• “Mammal” includes humans and both domestic animals such as laboratory animals and household pets (e.g., cats, dogs, swine, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, rabbits), and non-domestic animals such as wildlife and the like.
• “Pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient” includes without limitation any adjuvant, carrier, excipient, glidant, sweetening agent, diluent, preservative, dye/colorant, flavor enhancer, surfactant, wetting agent, dispersing agent, suspending agent, stabilizer, isotonic agent, solvent, or emulsifier which has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as being acceptable for use in humans or domestic animals.
• “Pharmaceutically acceptable salt” includes both acid and base addition salts.
• “Pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt” refers to those salts which retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the free bases, which are not biologically or otherwise undesirable, and which are formed with inorganic acids such as, but are not limited to, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and the like, and organic acids such as, but not limited to, acetic acid, 2,2-dichloroacetic acid, adipic acid, alginic acid, ascorbic acid, aspartic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, benzoic acid, 4-acetamidobenzoic acid, camphoric acid, camphor- 10-sulfonic acid, capric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, carbonic acid, cinnamic acid, citric acid, cyclamic acid, dodecylsulfuric acid, ethane- 1,2-disulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic
• naphthalene-l,5-disulfonic acid naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, l-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, nicotinic acid, oleic acid, orotic acid, oxalic acid, palmitic acid, pamoic acid, propionic acid, pyroglutamic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid, 4-aminosalicylic acid, sebacic acid, stearic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, thiocyanic acid, ⁇ -toluenesulfonic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, undecylenic acid, and the like.
• “Pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salt” refers to those salts which retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the free acids, which are not biologically or otherwise undesirable. These salts are prepared from addition of an inorganic base or an organic base to the free acid. Salts derived from inorganic bases include, but are not limited to, the sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, aluminum salts and the like. Preferred inorganic salts are the ammonium, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium salts.
• Salts derived from organic bases include, but are not limited to, salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines and basic ion exchange resins, such as ammonia, isopropylamine, trimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, diethanolamine, ethanolamine, deanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol,
• 2-diethylaminoethanol dicyclohexylamine, lysine, arginine, histidine, caffeine, procaine, hydrabamine, choline, betaine, benethamine, benzathine, ethylenediamine, glucosamine, methylglucamine, theobromine, triethanolamine, tromethamine, purines, piperazine, piperidine, N-ethylpiperidine, polyamine resins and the like.
• Particularly preferred organic bases are isopropylamine, diethylamine, ethanolamine,
• solvate refers to an aggregate that comprises one or more molecules of a compound of the invention with one or more molecules of solvent.
• the solvent may be water, in which case the solvate may be a hydrate.
• the solvent may be an organic solvent.
• the compounds of the present invention may exist as a hydrate, including a monohydrate, dihydrate, hemihydrate, sesquihydrate, trihydrate, tetrahydrate and the like, as well as the corresponding solvated forms.
• the compound of the invention may be true solvates, while in other cases, the compound of the invention may merely retain adventitious water or be a mixture of water plus some adventitious solvent.
• a “pharmaceutical composition” refers to a formulation of a compound of the invention and a medium generally accepted in the art for the delivery of the biologically active compound to mammals, e.g., humans.
• a medium includes all pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents or excipients therefor.
• Effective amount refers to that amount of a compound of the invention which, when administered to a mammal, preferably a human, is sufficient to effect treatment in the mammal, preferably a human.
• the amount of a lipid nanoparticle of the invention which constitutes a “therapeutically effective amount” will vary depending on the compound, the condition and its severity, the manner of administration, and the age of the mammal to be treated, but can be determined routinely by one of ordinary skill in the art having regard to his own knowledge and to this disclosure.
• Treating or “treatment” as used herein covers the treatment of the disease or condition of interest in a mammal, preferably a human, having the disease or condition of interest, and includes:
• disease and “condition” may be used interchangeably or may be different in that the particular malady or condition may not have a known causative agent (so that etiology has not yet been worked out) and it is therefore not yet recognized as a disease but only as an undesirable condition or syndrome, wherein a more or less specific set of symptoms have been identified by clinicians.
• the compounds of the invention, or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts may contain one or more asymmetric centers and may thus give rise to
• Optically active (+) and (-), (R)- and (5)-, or (D)- and (L)- isomers may be prepared using chiral synthons or chiral reagents, or resolved using conventional techniques, for example, chromatography and fractional crystallization.
• a “tautomer” refers to a proton shift from one atom of a molecule to another atom of the same molecule.
• the present invention includes tautomers of any said compounds.
• the invention provides novel lipid compounds which are capable of combining with other lipid components such as neutral lipids, charged lipids, steroids and/or polymer conjugated-lipids to form lipid nanoparticles with
• oligonucleotides are lipid nanoparticles shield oligonucleotides from degradation in the serum and provide for effective delivery of oligonucleotides to cells in vitro and in vivo.
• the compounds have the following structure (I):
• G 1 and G 2 are each independently unsubstituted C 1 -C 12 alkylene or Ci- C12 alkenylene;
• G is C1-C24 alkylene, C1-C24 alkenylene, C3-C8 cycloalkylene, C3-C8 cycloalkenylene;
• R a is H or C1-C12 alkyl
• R 1 and R 2 are each independently C6-C24 alkyl or C6-C24 alkenyl
• R 4 is C1-C12 alkyl
• R 5 is H or Ci-C 6 alkyl
• x 0, 1 or 2.
• the compound has one of the following struts
• A is a 3 to 8-membered cycloalkyl or cycloalkylene ring
• R 6 is, at each occurrence, independently H, OH or C1-C24 alkyl
• n is an integer ranging from 1 to 15.
• the compound has structure (IA), and in other embodiments, the compound has structure (IB).
• the compound has one of the following structures (IC) or (ID):
• y and z are each independently integers ranging from 1 to 12.
• one ofl ⁇ or l ⁇ is -OCCO)-.
• the compound has one of the following structures (IE) or (IF):
• the compound has one of the followi
• n is an integer ranging from 2 to 12, for example from 2 to 8 or from 2 to 4.
• n is 3, 4, 5 or 6.
• n is 3.
• n is 4.
• n is 5.
• n is 6.
• y and z are each independently an integer ranging from 2 to 10.
• y and z are each independently an integer ranging from 4 to 9 or from 4 to 6.
• R 6 is H. In other of the foregoing embodiments, R 6 is C1-C24 alkyl. In other embodiments, R 6 is OH. In some embodiments, G is unsubstituted. In other embodiments, G3 is substituted. In various different embodiments, G 3 is linear Ci-C 2 4 alkylene or linear Ci- C 2 4 alkenylene.
• R 1 or R 2 is C 6 -C 2 4 alkenyl.
• R 1 and R 2 each, independently have the following structure:
• R 7a and R 7b are, at each occurrence, independently H or Ci-Ci 2 alkyl; and a is an integer from 2 to 12,
• R 7a , R ⁇ and a are each selected such that R 1 and R 2 each independently comprise from 6 to 20 carbon atoms.
• a is an integer ranging from 5 to 9 or from 8 to 12.
• At least one occurrence of R 7a is H.
• R 7a is H at each occurrence.
• at least one occurrence of R 7b is Ci-Cs alkyl.
• Ci-C 8 alkyl is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n- butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, n-hexyl or n-octyl.
• R 1 or R 2 has one of the following
• R 4 is methyl or ethyl.
• the compound has one of the structures set forth in Table 1 below. Table 1
• compositions comprising any one or more of the compounds of structure (I) and a therapeutic agent are provided.
• the compositions comprise any of the compounds of structure (I) and a therapeutic agent and one or more excipient selected from neutral lipids, steroids and polymer conjugated lipids.
• excipients and/or carriers are also included in various embodiments of the compositions.
• the neutral lipid is selected from DSPC, DPPC,
• the neutral lipid is DSPC.
• the molar ratio of the compound to the neutral lipid ranges from about 2: 1 to about 8: 1.
• compositions further comprise a steroid or steroid analogue.
• the steroid or steroid analogue is cholesterol.
• the molar ratio of the compound to cholesterol ranges from about 5: 1 to 1 : 1.
• the polymer conjugated lipid is a pegylated lipid.
• some embodiments include a pegylated diacylglycerol (PEG-DAG) such as l-(monomethoxy-polyethyleneglycol)-2,3-dimyristoylglycerol (PEG-DMG), a pegylated phosphatidylethanoloamine (PEG-PE), a PEG succinate diacylglycerol (PEGS-DAG) such as 4-0-(2',3'-di(tetradecanoyloxy)propyl-l-0-(co- methoxy(polyethoxy)ethyl)butanedioate (PEG-S-DMG), a pegylated ceramide (PEG- cer), or a PEG dialkoxypropylcarbamate such as Q-methoxy(polyethoxy)ethyl-N-(2,3- di(
• the composition comprises a pegylated lipid having the following structure (II):
• R 8 and R 9 are each independently a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain containing from 10 to 30 carbon atoms, wherein the alkyl chain is optionally interrupted by one or more ester bonds;
• w has a mean value ranging from 30 to 60.
• R 8 and R 9 are each independently straight, saturated alkyl chains containing from 12 to 16 carbon atoms.
• w has a mean value ranging from 43 to 53. In other embodiments, the average w is about 45. In other different embodiments, the average w is about 49.
• the therapeutic agent comprises a nucleic acid.
• the nucleic acid is selected from antisense and messenger RNA.
• the invention is directed to a method for administering a therapeutic agent to a patient in need thereof, the method comprising preparing or providing any of the foregoing compositions and administering the composition to the patient
• the compounds of the present invention may be administered as a raw chemical or may be formulated as pharmaceutical compositions.
• Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise a compound of structure (I) and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.
• the compound of structure (I) is present in the composition in an amount which is effective to form a lipid nanoparticle and deliver the therapeutic agent, e.g., for treating a particular disease or condition of interest.
• Appropriate concentrations and dosages can be readily determined by one skilled in the art.
• compositions of the invention can be carried out via any of the accepted modes of administration of agents for serving similar utilities.
• the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be formulated into preparations in solid, semi-solid, liquid or gaseous forms, such as tablets, capsules, powders, granules, ointments, solutions, suspensions, suppositories, injections, inhalants, gels, microspheres, and aerosols.
• Typical routes of administering such pharmaceutical compositions include, without limitation, oral, topical, transdermal, inhalation, parenteral, sublingual, buccal, rectal, vaginal, and intranasal.
• parenteral as used herein includes subcutaneous injections, intravenous, intramuscular, intradermal, intrasternal injection or infusion techniques.
• Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are formulated so as to allow the active ingredients contained therein to be bioavailable upon administration of the composition to a patient.
• Compositions that will be administered to a subject or patient take the form of one or more dosage units, where for example, a tablet may be a single dosage unit, and a container of a compound of the invention in aerosol form may hold a plurality of dosage units.
• Actual methods of preparing such dosage forms are known, or will be apparent, to those skilled in this art; for example, see Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20th Edition (Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, 2000).
• the composition to be administered will, in any event, contain a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for treatment of a disease or condition of interest in accordance with the teachings of this invention.
• a pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be in the form of a solid or liquid.
• the carrier(s) are particulate, so that the compositions are, for example, in tablet or powder form.
• the carrier(s) may be liquid, with the compositions being, for example, an oral syrup, injectable liquid or an aerosol, which is useful in, for example, inhalatory administration.
• the pharmaceutical composition When intended for oral administration, the pharmaceutical composition is preferably in either solid or liquid form, where semi-solid, semi-liquid, suspension and gel forms are included within the forms considered herein as either solid or liquid.
• the pharmaceutical composition may be formulated into a powder, granule, compressed tablet, pill, capsule, chewing gum, wafer or the like form.
• a solid composition will typically contain one or more inert diluents or edible carriers.
• binders such as carboxymethylcellulose, ethyl cellulose,
• microcrystalline cellulose, gum tragacanth or gelatin excipients such as starch, lactose or dextrins, disintegrating agents such as alginic acid, sodium alginate, Primogel, corn starch and the like; lubricants such as magnesium stearate or Sterotex; glidants such as colloidal silicon dioxide; sweetening agents such as sucrose or saccharin; a flavoring agent such as peppermint, methyl salicylate or orange flavoring; and a coloring agent.
• excipients such as starch, lactose or dextrins, disintegrating agents such as alginic acid, sodium alginate, Primogel, corn starch and the like
• lubricants such as magnesium stearate or Sterotex
• glidants such as colloidal silicon dioxide
• sweetening agents such as sucrose or saccharin
• a flavoring agent such as peppermint, methyl salicylate or orange flavoring
• a coloring agent e.g., pepper
• the pharmaceutical composition when in the form of a capsule, for example, a gelatin capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the above type, a liquid carrier such as polyethylene glycol or oil.
• a liquid carrier such as polyethylene glycol or oil.
• the pharmaceutical composition may be in the form of a liquid, for example, an elixir, syrup, solution, emulsion or suspension.
• the liquid may be for oral administration or for delivery by injection, as two examples.
• preferred composition contain, in addition to the present compounds, one or more of a sweetening agent, preservatives, dye/colorant and flavor enhancer.
• a surfactant, preservative, wetting agent, dispersing agent, suspending agent, buffer, stabilizer and isotonic agent may be included.
• the liquid pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may include one or more of the following adjuvants: sterile diluents such as water for injection, saline solution, preferably physiological saline, Ringer's solution, isotonic sodium chloride, fixed oils such as synthetic mono or diglycerides which may serve as the solvent or suspending medium, polyethylene glycols, glycerin, propylene glycol or other solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl paraben; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose; agents to act as cryoprotectants such as sucrose or trehalose.
• sterile diluents such as water for injection, saline solution, preferably physiological saline, Ringer's solution, isotonic
• parenteral preparation can be enclosed in ampoules, disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic.
• Physiological saline is a preferred adjuvant.
• An injectable pharmaceutical composition is preferably sterile.
• a liquid pharmaceutical composition of the invention intended for either parenteral or oral administration should contain an amount of a compound of the invention such that a suitable dosage will be obtained.
• the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be intended for topical administration, in which case the carrier may suitably comprise a solution, emulsion, ointment or gel base.
• the base for example, may comprise one or more of the following: petrolatum, lanolin, polyethylene glycols, bee wax, mineral oil, diluents such as water and alcohol, and emulsifiers and stabilizers.
• Thickening agents may be present in a pharmaceutical composition for topical administration.
• the composition may include a transdermal patch or iontophoresis device.
• the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be intended for rectal administration, in the form, for example, of a suppository, which will melt in the rectum and release the drug.
• the composition for rectal administration may contain an oleaginous base as a suitable nonirritating excipient.
• bases include, without limitation, lanolin, cocoa butter and polyethylene glycol.
• the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may include various materials, which modify the physical form of a solid or liquid dosage unit.
• the composition may include materials that form a coating shell around the active ingredients.
• the materials that form the coating shell are typically inert, and may be selected from, for example, sugar, shellac, and other enteric coating agents.
• the active ingredients may be encased in a gelatin capsule.
• the pharmaceutical composition of the invention in solid or liquid form may include an agent that binds to the compound of the invention and thereby assists in the delivery of the compound.
• Suitable agents that may act in this capacity include a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody, or a protein.
• the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may consist of dosage units that can be administered as an aerosol.
• aerosol is used to denote a variety of systems ranging from those of colloidal nature to systems consisting of pressurized packages. Delivery may be by a liquefied or compressed gas or by a suitable pump system that dispenses the active ingredients. Aerosols of compounds of the invention may be delivered in single phase, bi-phasic, or tri-phasic systems in order to deliver the active ingredient(s). Delivery of the aerosol includes the necessary container, activators, valves, subcontainers, and the like, which together may form a kit. One skilled in the art, without undue experimentation may determine preferred aerosols.
• compositions of the invention may be prepared by methodology well known in the pharmaceutical art.
• a pharmaceutical composition intended to be administered by injection can be prepared by combining the lipid nanoparticles of the invention with sterile, distilled water or other carrier so as to form a solution.
• a surfactant may be added to facilitate the formation of a
• Surfactants are compounds that non-covalently interact with the compound of the invention so as to facilitate dissolution or
• compositions of the invention are administered in a therapeutically effective amount, which will vary depending upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific therapeutic agent employed; the metabolic stability and length of action of the therapeutic agent; the age, body weight, general health, sex, and diet of the patient; the mode and time of administration; the rate of excretion; the drug combination; the severity of the particular disorder or condition; and the subject undergoing therapy.
• compositions of the invention may also be administered simultaneously with, prior to, or after administration of one or more other therapeutic agents.
• combination therapy includes administration of a single pharmaceutical dosage formulation of a composition of the invention and one or more additional active agents, as well as administration of the composition of the invention and each active agent in its own separate pharmaceutical dosage formulation.
• a composition of the invention and the other active agent can be administered to the patient together in a single oral dosage composition such as a tablet or capsule, or each agent administered in separate oral dosage formulations.
• the compounds of the invention and one or more additional active agents can be used.
• combination therapy is understood to include all these regimens.
• Suitable protecting groups include hydroxy, amino, mercapto and carboxylic acid.
• Suitable protecting groups for hydroxy include trialkylsilyl or diarylalkylsilyl (for example, t-butyldimethylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl or trimethylsilyl), tetrahydropyranyl, benzyl, and the like.
• Suitable protecting groups for amino, amidino and guanidino include t-butoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, and the like.
• Suitable protecting groups for mercapto include -C(0)-R" (where R" is alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl), /?-methoxybenzyl, trityl and the like.
• Suitable protecting groups for carboxylic acid include alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl esters.
• Protecting groups may be added or removed in accordance with standard techniques, which are known to one skilled in the art and as described herein. The use of protecting groups is described in detail in Green, T.W. and P.G.M. Wutz, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis (1999), 3rd Ed., Wiley.
• the protecting group may also be a polymer resin such as a Wang resin, Rink resin or a 2-chlorotrityl-chloride resin.
• R L , L G , G and G J are as defined herein. It is understood that one skilled in the art may be able to make these compounds by similar methods or by combining other methods known to one skilled in the art. It is also understood that one skilled in the art would be able to make, in a similar manner as described below, other compounds of structure (I) not specifically illustrated below by using the appropriate starting components and modifying the parameters of the synthesis as needed.
• starting components may be obtained from sources such as Sigma Aldrich, Lancaster Synthesis, Inc., Maybridge, Matrix Scientific, TCI, and Fluorochem USA, etc. or synthesized according to sources known to those skilled in the art (see, for example, Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure, 5th edition (Wiley, December 2000)) or prepared as described in this invention.
• General Reaction Scheme 1 depicts preparation of a compound of structure (I), wherein G 1 and G 2 are the same; however, this is not a required aspect of the invention and modifications to the above reaction scheme are possible to yield compounds wherein G 1 and G 2 are different.
• the use of protecting groups as needed and other modification to the above General Reaction Scheme will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
• Lipid nanoparticles were prepared at a total lipid to mRNA weight ratio of approximately 10: 1 to 30: 1. Briefly, the mRNA was diluted to 0.2 mg/mL in 10 to 50 mM citrate buffer, pH 4. Syringe pumps were used to mix the ethanolic lipid solution with the mRNA aqueous solution at a ratio of about 1 :5 to 1 :3 (vol/vol) with total flow rates above 15 ml/min. The ethanol was then removed and the external buffer replaced with PBS by dialysis.
• Lipid nanoparticles were filtered through a 0.2 ⁇ pore sterile filter.
• Lipid nanoparticle particle size was approximately 55-95 nm diameter, and in some instances approximately70-90 nm diameter as determined by quasi-elastic light scattering using a Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS (Malvern, UK). Studies were performed in 6-8 week old female C57BL/6 mice (Charles River) 8-10 week old CD-I (Harlan) mice (Charles River) according to guidelines established by an institutional animal care committee (ACC) and the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC). Varying doses of mRNA-lipid nanoparticle were
• Liver and spleen were collected in pre- weighed tubes, weights determined, immediately snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80°C until processing for analysis.
• liver tissue approximately 50 mg was dissected for analyses in a 2 mL FastPrep tubes (MP Biomedicals, Solon OH). 1 ⁇ 4" ceramic sphere (MP Biomedicals) was added to each tube and 500 ⁇ . of Glo Lysis Buffer - GLB (Promega, Madison WI) equilibrated to room temperature was added to liver tissue. Liver tissues were homogenized with the FastPrep24 instrument (MP Biomedicals) at 2 x 6.0 m/s for 15 seconds. Homogenate was incubated at room temperature for 5 minutes prior to a 1 :4 dilution in GLB and assessed using SteadyGlo Luciferase assay system (Promega).
• FLuc The FLuc mRNA (L-6107) from Trilink Biotechnologies will express a luciferase protein, originally isolated from the firefly, Photinus pyralis. FLuc is commonly used in mammalian cell culture to measure both gene expression and cell viability. It emits bioluminescence in the presence of the substrate, luciferin. This capped and polyadenylated mRNA is fully substituted with 5-methylcytidine and pseudouridine. EXAMPLE 2
• the pKa of formulated cationic lipids is correlated with the effectiveness of L Ps for delivery of nucleic acids (see Jayaraman et al, Angewandte Chemie, International Edition (2012), 51(34), 8529-8533; Semple et al, Nature Biotechnology 28, 172-176 (2010)).
• the preferred range of pKa is ⁇ 5 to ⁇ 7.
• the pK a of each cationic lipid was determined in lipid nanoparticles using an assay based on fluorescence of 2-(p-toluidino)-6-napthalene sulfonic acid (TNS).
• Lipid nanoparticles comprising of cationic lipid/DSPC/cholesterol/PEG-lipid (50/10/38.5/1.5 mol%) in PBS at a concentration of 0.4mM total lipid are prepared using the in-line process as described in Example 1.
• TNS was prepared as a 100 ⁇ stock solution in distilled water. Vesicles were diluted to 24 ⁇ lipid in 2 mL of buffered solutions containing , 10 mM HEPES, 10 mM MES, 10 mM ammonium acetate, 130 mM NaCl, where the pH ranged from 2.5 to 11. An aliquot of the TNS solution was added to give a final concentration of 1 ⁇ and following vortex mixing fluorescence intensity was measured at room temperature in a SLM Aminco Series 2 Luminescence
• lipid nanoparticles containing the FLuc mRNA (L-6107) using an in line mixing method, as described in Example 1 and in PCT/US 10/22614, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• Lipid nanoparticles were formulated using the following molar ratio: 50% Cationic lipid/ 10% distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) / 38.5%
• PEG-DMG i.e., (l-(monomethoxy-polyethyleneglycol)-2,3-dimyristoylglycerol, with an average PEG molecular weight of 2000.
• Relative activity was determined by measuring luciferase expression in the liver 4 hours following administration via tail vein injection as described in Example 1. The activity was compared at a dose of 0.3 and 1.0 mg mRNA/kg and expressed as ng luciferase/g liver measured 4 hours after administration, as described in Example 1.
• the crude product was dissolved in methylene chloride (150 mL) and treated with pyridinium chlorochromate (6 g) for one hour. Diethyl ether (450 mL) was added and the supernatant filtered through a silica gel bed. The solvent was removed from the filtrate and resultant oil dissolved in hexane. The suspension was filtered through a silica gel bed and the solvent removed, yielding 4-(2'- hexyldecanoyloxy)butan-l-al (1 lg) was obtained as a colorless oil.
• the crude product was passed down a silica gel column using a methanol/methylene chloride (0-8%) gradient, to produce 9-(2'-ethylhexanoyloxy)nonan-l-ol (7.2 g) as an oil.
• the 9-(2'-ethylhexanoyloxy)nonan-l-ol was dissolved in methylene chloride (100 mL) and treated with pyridinium chlorochromate (7.5 g) for one hour. Hexane (400 mL) was added and the supernatant filtered through a silica gel bed. The solvent was removed from the filtrate and resultant oil dissolved in hexane. The suspension was filtered through a silica gel bed and the solvent removed, yielding 9-(2'- ethylhexanoyloxy)nonan-l-al (6 g) was obtained as a colorless oil.
• the crude product was passed down a silica gel column using a methanol/methylene chloride (0-4%) gradient, to produce 6-(2'-butyloctanoyloxy)hexan-l-ol (4.5 g) as an oil.
• the 6-(2'-butyloctanoyloxy)hexan-l-ol was dissolved in methylene chloride (100 mL) and treated with pyridinium chlorochromate (4.8 g) for two hours. Hexane (300 mL) was added and the supernatant filtered through a silica gel bed. The solvent was removed from the filtrate and resultant oil dissolved in hexane.
• the suspension was filtered through a silica gel bed and the solvent removed, yielding 6-(2'- butyloctanoyloxy)hexan-l-al (3.9 g) was obtained as a colorless oil.
• the crude product was passed down a silica gel column using a methanol/methylene chloride (0- 4%) gradient, to produce 6-(2'-octyldodecanoyloxy)hexan-l-ol (7.4 g) as an oil.
• the 6-(2'-octyldodecanoyloxy)hexan-l-ol was dissolved in methylene chloride (100 mL) and treated with pyridinium chlorochromate (4.0 g) for two hours. Diethyl ether (300 mL) was added and the supernatant filtered through a silica gel bed. The solvent was removed from the filtrate and resultant oil dissolved in hexane. The suspension was filtered through a silica gel bed and the solvent removed, yielding 6-(2'- octyldodecanoyloxy)hexan-l-al (5.3 g) was obtained as a colorless oil.
• 6-(2'-decyltetradecanoyloxy)hexan-l-ol was dissolved in methylene chloride (100 mL) and treated with pyridinium chlorochromate (3.2 g) for two hours. Hexane (300 mL) was added and the supernatant filtered through a silica gel bed. The solvent was removed from the filtrate and resultant product dissolved in hexane. The suspension was filtered through a silica gel bed and the solvent removed, yielding 6-(2'- decyltetradecanoyloxy)hexan-l-al (4.2 g).
• the crude product was passed down a silica gel column using hexane followed by methylene chloride, to produce 12-(2'-hexyldecanoyloxy)dodecan-l-ol (7.9 g) as an oil.
• the 12-(2'-hexyldecanoyloxy)dodecan-l-ol was dissolved in methylene chloride (150 mL) and treated with pyridinium chlorochromate (4.0 g) for three hours. Hexane (300 mL) was added and the supernatant filtered through a silica gel bed. The solvent was removed from the filtrate and resultant oil dissolved in hexane. The suspension was filtered through a silica gel bed and the solvent removed, yielding 12- (2'-hexyldecanoyloxy)dodecan-l-al (3.9 g) was obtained as a colorless oil.
• the crude product was passed down a silica gel column using hexane followed by a methanol/methylene chloride (0-8%) gradient, to produce 9-(2'-hexyldecanoyloxy)nonan-l-ol (22 g) as an oil.
• 9-(2'-Hexyldecanoyloxy)nonan-l-ol 5.0 g was dissolved in methylene chloride (50 mL) and treated with pyridinium chlorochromate (2.7 g) for one hour. Hexane (200 mL) was added and the supernatant filtered through a silica gel bed. The solvent was removed from the filtrate and resultant oil dissolved in hexane. The suspension was filtered through a silica gel bed and the solvent removed, yielding 9-(2'- hexyldecanoyloxy)nonan-l-al (3.6 g) was obtained as a colorless oil.

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