Randolph B. DePrince - Raleigh NC Kevin L. Facchine - Raleigh NC George S. Lewis - Durham NC Jason G. Lewis - Berkeley CA Kuei-Ying Lin - Fremont CA Mark D. Matteucci - Burlingame CA Robert A. Mook - Chapel Hill NC Richard W. Wagner - Burlingame CA
Assignee:
Gilead Sciences, Inc. - Foster City CA
International Classification:
C07C23706 C07C23722
US Classification:
564159
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to new cationic lipids and intermediates in their synthesis that are useful for transfecting nucleic acids or peptides into prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. The lipids comprise one or two substituted arginine, lysine or ornithine residues, or derivatives thereof, linked to a lipophilic moiety. The lipids form a complex when mixed with polyanions such as nucleic acids or peptides. The complexes permit efficient transfer of polyanions into cells, usually without significant toxicity to the cells.