| abstract |
The present invention provides a lipid of the formula (I) R3R4N-[Y]q-(CpH2p)-X-Linker-NR1R2 (I) wherein R3 and R4 are independently selected from H and hydrocarbyl groups; q is an integer selected from 1 to 10; Y represents a group (CnH2n)NR5, wherein (i) when q is 1, n is 2, or (ii) when q is greater than 1, each Y may be the same or different and each n is an integer independently selected from 1 to 10, with the proviso that for at least one unit Y, n is 2, and (iii) each R5 is independently selected from H and hydrocarbyl groups; p is an integer selected from 1 to 10; X is an optional group selected from -NR7-, -C(=O)-N R8-, -NR9-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-, -O-, and -NR10-C(=0)0-, wherein each R7, R8, R9 and R10 is independently selected from H and hydrocarbyl groups, Linker is an optional group selected from amino acid residues, peptide residues and groups of the formula -(OCH2CH2)1-10, -NR6-(CvH2v)-C(=O)-, wherein R6 is H or a hydrocarbyl group and v is an integer selected from 1 to 11, and -C(=0)-(CH2)0-10-CH2-C(=0)-; R1 is selected from acyclic groups having from 4 to 30 carbon atoms; and R2 is selected from H and acyclic groups having from 4 to 30 carbon atoms. Said lipids can be used in a delivery vehicle (e.g. micelle or liposome) for the delivery of one or more (therapeutic or diagnostic) agents. |