COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TARGETED SYSTEMIC DELIVERY TO CELLS

Abstract
Described herein are compositions, kits, and methods for potent systemic delivery to a cell of a subject. Also described herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutic or prophylactic agent assembled to a lipid composition. The lipid composition can comprise an ionizable cationic lipid, a phospholipid, and a selective organ targeting lipid. Further described herein are high-potency dosage forms of a therapeutic or prophylactic agent formulated with a lipid composition.
Description
BACKGROUND

Therapeutic approaches, such as the CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas)) technology, often require precise and potent delivery of therapeutic agent(s) to target organ(s) or cell(s), sometimes in a sequence dependent manner. To date, there remains a clear need to accomplish therapeutically safe and effective lipid-based carriers for achieving clinical outcomes in the context of genetic diseases and many other applications.


SUMMARY

In certain aspects, the present application provides compositions for potent delivery of a therapeutic agent to a cell of a subject. In some embodiments, the composition can be formulated for systemic (e.g., intravenous) administration, the composition comprising a therapeutic agent assembled with a lipid composition that comprises:

    • (i) an ionizable cationic lipid;
    • (ii) a polymer-conjugated lipid; and
    • iii) a selective organ targeting (SORT) lipid has the structure of Formula (IA), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, tautomer thereof:




embedded image


wherein:

    • R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl(C8-C24), alkenyl(C8-C24), or a substituted version of either group;
    • R3, R3′, and R3″ are each independently alkyl(C≤6) or substituted alkyl(C≤6); and
    • X is a monovalent anion.


In some embodiments, the composition can be formulated for systemic (e.g., intravenous) administration, the composition comprising a therapeutic agent assembled with a lipid composition that comprises:

    • (i) an ionizable cationic lipid;
    • (ii) a polymer-conjugated lipid; and
    • iii) a selective organ targeting (SORT) lipid has the structure of Formula (IA), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, tautomer thereof:




embedded image


wherein:

    • R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl(C8-C24), alkenyl(C8-C24), or a substituted version of either group;
    • R3, R3′, and R3″ are each independently alkyl(C≤6) or substituted alkyl(C≤6); and
    • X is a monovalent anion.


In certain aspects, the present application provides methods for potent delivery of a therapeutic agent to a cell of a subject. In some embodiments, the methods described herein can be for targeted delivery of a therapeutic agent to a spleen cell, the method comprising (e.g., systemically) administering a composition described herein, thereby providing an effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said spleen cell of said subject that is at least 1.1-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a lung cell of said subject.


In some embodiments, the methods described herein can be for targeted delivery of a therapeutic agent to a lung cell, the method comprising (e.g., systemically) administering a composition described herein, thereby providing an effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said lung cell of said subject that is at least 1.1-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a spleen cell of said subject.


INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. To the extent publications and patents or patent applications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosure contained in the specification, the specification is intended to supersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings (also “Figure” and “FIG.” herein), of which:



FIG. 1 shows examples of structures of SORT lipids.



FIG. 2 shows example structures of dendrimers or dendrons of the ionizable cationic lipids.



FIG. 3 shows the stability and general characteristics of various LNP compositions.



FIG. 4A shows IVIS organ imaging of spleen, liver and lung of a female dog after the administration of a Lung-SORT.



FIG. 4B shows IVIS organ imaging of spleen, liver and lung of a male dog after the administration of a Lung-SORT.



FIG. 5A shows IVIS organ imaging of spleen, liver and lung of a Cynomolgus NHP after the administration of a Lung-SORT.



FIG. 5B shows IVIS organ imaging of spleen, liver and lung of a Cynomolgus NHP after the administration of a Lung-SORT.



FIG. 6A shows IVIS organ imaging of spleen, liver, kidneys and lung of mice after the administration of luciferase mRNA formulated with 14:0 TAP SORT after 5 hrs.



FIG. 6B quantitatively displays the signal obtained at the lungs, spleen, and liver of the mice in FIG. 6A.



FIG. 7A shows the TR intensity expressed in the treated hBEs of the two different SORT LNPs.



FIG. 7B shows the % LDH released from the treated hBEs of the two different SORT LNPs.



FIG. 8A shows IVIS organ imaging of spleen, liver, and lung of two beagles after the IV bolus administration of luciferase mRNA formulated in 14:0 TAP SORT.



FIG. 8B shows IVIS organ imaging of spleen, liver, and lung of two beagles after the IV infusion of luciferase mRNA formulated in 14:0 TAP SORT with pre-meds.



FIG. 9 shows a compiled panel of IVIS organ imaging of spleen, liver, and lung of dogs and NHPs.



FIG. 10A shows ex vivo imaging of bioluminescence of spleen, lungs, liver and kidneys after IV delivery of a Luc mRNA/LNP using multiple compositions of LNP.



FIG. 10B shows quantititavively graphs the biolumcence data of FIG. 10A.



FIG. 11A shows ex vivo imaging of bioluminescence of spleen, lungs, liver and kidneys after IV delivery of a Luc mRNA/LNP using multiple compositions of LNP.



FIG. 11B shows quantititavively graphs the biolumcence data of FIG. 11A.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the embodiments of the disclosure are described, it is to be understood that such embodiments are provided by way of example only, and that various alternatives to the embodiments of the disclosure described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention.


Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention.


In the context of the present application, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to them unless specified otherwise:


As used throughout the specification and claims, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are generally used in the sense that they mean “at least one”, “at least a first”, “one or more” or “a plurality” of the referenced components or steps, except in instances wherein an upper limit is thereafter specifically stated. For example, a “cleavage sequence”, as used herein, means “at least a first cleavage sequence” but includes a plurality of cleavage sequences. The operable limits and parameters of combinations, as with the amounts of any single agent, will be known to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present application.


The terms “polypeptide”, “peptide”, and “protein” are used interchangeably herein to generally refer to polymers of amino acids of any length. The polymer may be linear or branched, it may comprise modified amino acids, and it may be interrupted by non-amino acids. The terms also encompass an amino acid polymer that has been modified, for example, by disulfide bond formation, glycosylation, lipidation, acetylation, phosphorylation, or any other manipulation, such as conjugation with a labeling component.


As used herein in the context of the structure of a polypeptide, “N-terminus” (or “amino terminus”) and “C-terminus” (or “carboxyl terminus”) generally refer to the extreme amino and carboxyl ends of the polypeptide, respectively.


The term “N-terminal end sequence,” as used herein with respect to a polypeptide or polynucleotide sequence of interest, generally means that no other amino acid or nucleotide residues precede the N-terminal end sequence in the polypeptide or polynucleotide sequence of interest at the N-terminal end. The term “C-terminal end sequence,” as used herein with respect to a polypeptide or polynucleotide sequence of interest, generally means that no other amino acid or nucleotide residues follows the C-terminal end sequence in the polypeptide or polynucleotide sequence of interest at the C-terminal end.


The terms “non-naturally occurring” and “non-natural” are used interchangeably herein. The term “non-naturally occurring” or “non-natural,” as used herein with respect to a therapeutic agent or prophylactic agent, generally means that the agent is not biologically derived in mammals (including but not limited to human). The term “non-naturally occurring” or “non-natural,” as applied to sequences and as used herein, means polypeptide or polynucleotide sequences that do not have a counterpart to, are not complementary to, or do not have a high degree of homology with a wild-type or naturally-occurring sequence found in a mammal. For example, a non-naturally occurring polypeptide or fragment may share no more than 99%, 98%, 95%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50% or even less amino acid sequence identity as compared to a natural sequence when suitably aligned.


“Physiological conditions” refers to a set of conditions in a living host as well as in vitro conditions, including temperature, salt concentration, pH, that mimic those conditions of a living subject. A host of physiologically relevant conditions for use in in vitro assays have been established. Generally, a physiological buffer contains a physiological concentration of salt and is adjusted to a neutral pH ranging from about 6.5 to about 7.8, and preferably from about 7.0 to about 7.5. A variety of physiological buffers are listed in Sambrook et al. (2001). Physiologically relevant temperature ranges from about 25° C. to about 38° C., and preferably from about 35° C. to about 37° C.


As used herein, the terms “treatment” or “treating,” or “palliating” or “ameliorating” are used interchangeably herein. These terms generally refer to an approach for obtaining beneficial or desired results including but not limited to a therapeutic benefit and/or a prophylactic benefit. By therapeutic benefit is meant eradication or amelioration of the underlying disorder being treated. Also, a therapeutic benefit is achieved with the eradication or amelioration of one or more of the physiological symptoms or improvement in one or more clinical parameters associated with the underlying disorder such that an improvement is observed in the subject, notwithstanding that the subject may still be afflicted with the underlying disorder. For prophylactic benefit, the compositions may be administered to a subject at risk of developing a particular disease, or to a subject reporting one or more of the physiological symptoms of a disease, even though a diagnosis of this disease may not have been made.


A “therapeutic effect” or “therapeutic benefit,” as used herein, generally refers to a physiologic effect, including but not limited to the mitigation, amelioration, or prevention of disease or an improvement in one or more clinical parameters associated with the underlying disorder in humans or other animals, or to otherwise enhance physical or mental wellbeing of humans or animals, resulting from administration of a polypeptide of the disclosure other than the ability to induce the production of an antibody against an antigenic epitope possessed by the biologically active protein. For prophylactic benefit, the compositions may be administered to a subject at risk of developing a particular disease, a recurrence of a former disease, condition or symptom of the disease, or to a subject reporting one or more of the physiological symptoms of a disease, even though a diagnosis of this disease may not have been made.


The terms “therapeutically effective amount” and “therapeutically effective dose”, as used herein, generally refer to an amount of a drug or a biologically active protein, either alone or as a part of a polypeptide composition, that is capable of having any detectable, beneficial effect on any symptom, aspect, measured parameter or characteristics of a disease state or condition when administered in one or repeated doses to a subject. Such effect need not be absolute to be beneficial. Determination of a therapeutically effective amount is well within the capability of those skilled in the art, especially in light of the detailed disclosure provided herein.


The term “equivalent molar dose” generally means that the amounts of materials administered to a subject have an equivalent amount of moles, based on the molecular weight of the material used in the dose.


The term “therapeutically effective and non-toxic dose,” as used herein, generally refers to a tolerable dose of the compositions as defined herein that is high enough to cause depletion of tumor or cancer cells, tumor elimination, tumor shrinkage or stabilization of disease without or essentially without major toxic effects in the subject. Such therapeutically effective and non-toxic doses may be determined by dose escalation studies described in the art and should be below the dose inducing severe adverse side effects.


The terms “cancer” and “cancerous” refer to or describe the physiological condition in mammals that is typically characterized by unregulated cell growth/proliferation.


When used in the context of a chemical group: “hydrogen” means —H; “hydroxy” means —OH; “oxo” means ═O; “carbonyl” means —C(═O)—; “carboxy” means —C(═O)OH (also written as —COOH or —CO2H); “halo” means independently —F, —Cl, —Br or —I; “amino” means —NH2; “hydroxyamino” means —NHOH; “nitro” means —NO2; imino means ═NH; “cyano” means —CN; “isocyanate” means —N═C═O; “azido” means —N3; in a monovalent context “phosphate” means —OP(O)(OH)2 or a deprotonated form thereof, in a divalent context “phosphate” means —OP(O)(OH)O— or a deprotonated form thereof, “mercapto” means —SH; and “thio” means ═S; “sulfonyl” means —S(O)2—; “hydroxysulfonyl” means —S(O)2OH; “sulfonamide” means —S(O)2NH2; and “sulfinyl” means —S(O)—.


In the context of chemical formulas, the symbol “custom-character” means a single bond, “custom-character” means a double bond, and “≡” means triple bond. The symbol “custom-character” represents an optional bond, which if present is either single or double. The symbol “custom-character” represents a single bond or a double bond. Thus, for example, the formula




embedded image


includes




embedded image


And it is understood that no one such ring atom forms part of more than one double bond. Furthermore, it is noted that the covalent bond symbol “custom-character”, when connecting one or two stereogenic atoms, does not indicate any preferred stereochemistry. Instead, it covers all stereoisomers as well as mixtures thereof. The symbol “custom-character”, when drawn perpendicularly across a bond (e.g.,




embedded image


for methyl) indicates a point of attachment of the group. It is noted that the point of attachment is typically only identified in this manner for larger groups in order to assist the reader in unambiguously identifying a point of attachment. The symbol “custom-character” means a single bond where the group attached to the thick end of the wedge is out of the page.” The symbol “custom-character” means a single bond where the group attached to the thick end of the wedge is “into the page”. The symbol “custom-character” means a single bond where the geometry around a double bond (e.g., either E or Z) is undefined. Both options, as well as combinations thereof are therefore intended. Any undefined valency on an atom of a structure shown in this application implicitly represents a hydrogen atom bonded to that atom. A bold dot on a carbon atom indicates that the hydrogen attached to that carbon is oriented out of the plane of the paper.


When a group “R” is depicted as a “floating group” on a ring system, for example, in the formula:




embedded image


then R may replace any hydrogen atom attached to any of the ring atoms, including a depicted, implied, or expressly defined hydrogen, so long as a stable structure is formed. When a group “R” is depicted as a “floating group” on a fused ring system, as for example in the formula:




embedded image


then R may replace any hydrogen attached to any of the ring atoms of either of the fused rings unless specified otherwise. Replaceable hydrogens include depicted hydrogens (e.g., the hydrogen attached to the nitrogen in the formula above), implied hydrogens (e.g., a hydrogen of the formula above that is not shown but understood to be present), expressly defined hydrogens, and optional hydrogens whose presence depends on the identity of a ring atom (e.g., a hydrogen attached to group X, when X equals —CH—), so long as a stable structure is formed. In the example depicted, R may reside on either the 5-membered or the 6-membered ring of the fused ring system. In the formula above, the subscript letter “y” immediately following the group “R” enclosed in parentheses, represents a numeric variable. Unless specified otherwise, this variable can be 0, 1, 2, or any integer greater than 2, only limited by the maximum number of replaceable hydrogen atoms of the ring or ring system.


For the chemical groups and compound classes, the number of carbon atoms in the group or class is as indicated as follows: “Cn” defines the exact number (n) of carbon atoms in the group/class. “C≤n” defines the maximum number (n) of carbon atoms that can be in the group/class, with the minimum number as small as possible for the group/class in question, e.g., it is understood that the minimum number of carbon atoms in the group “alkenyl(C≤8)” or the class “alkene(C≤8)” is two. Compare with “alkoxy(C≤10)”, which designates alkoxy groups having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms. “Cn-n′” defines both the minimum (n) and maximum number (n′) of carbon atoms in the group. Thus, “alkyl(C2-10)” designates those alkyl groups having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms. These carbon number indicators may precede or follow the chemical groups or class it modifies and it may or may not be enclosed in parenthesis, without signifying any change in meaning. Thus, the terms “C5 olefin”, “C5-olefin”, “olefin(C5)”, and “olefinC5” are all synonymous.


The term “saturated” when used to modify a compound or chemical group means the compound or chemical group has no carbon-carbon double and no carbon-carbon triple bonds, except as noted below. When the term is used to modify an atom, it means that the atom is not part of any double or triple bond. In the case of substituted versions of saturated groups, one or more carbon oxygen double bond or a carbon nitrogen double bond may be present. And when such a bond is present, then carbon-carbon double bonds that may occur as part of keto-enol tautomerism or imine/enamine tautomerism are not precluded. When the term “saturated” is used to modify a solution of a substance, it means that no more of that substance can dissolve in that solution.


The term “aliphatic” when used without the “substituted” modifier signifies that the compound or chemical group so modified is an acyclic or cyclic, but non-aromatic hydrocarbon compound or group. In aliphatic compounds/groups, the carbon atoms can be joined together in straight chains, branched chains, or non-aromatic rings (alicyclic). Aliphatic compounds/groups can be saturated, that is joined by single carbon-carbon bonds (alkanes/alkyl), or unsaturated, with one or more carbon-carbon double bonds (alkenes/alkenyl) or with one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds (alkynes/alkynyl).


The term “aromatic” when used to modify a compound or a chemical group atom means the compound or chemical group contains a planar unsaturated ring of atoms that is stabilized by an interaction of the bonds forming the ring.


The term “alkyl” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to a monovalent saturated aliphatic group with a carbon atom as the point of attachment, a linear or branched acyclic structure, and no atoms other than carbon and hydrogen. The groups —CH3 (Me), —CH2CH3 (Et), —CH2CH2CH3 (n-Pr or propyl), —CH(CH3)2(i-Pr, iPr or isopropyl), —CH2CH2CH2CH3 (n-Bu), —CH(CH3)CH2CH3 (sec-butyl), —CH2CH(CH3)2(isobutyl), —C(CH3)3(tert-butyl, t-butyl, t-Bu or iBu), and —CH2C(CH3)3(neo-pentyl) are non-limiting examples of alkyl groups. The term “alkanediyl” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to a divalent saturated aliphatic group, with one or two saturated carbon atom(s) as the point(s) of attachment, a linear or branched acyclic structure, no carbon-carbon double or triple bonds, and no atoms other than carbon and hydrogen. The groups —CH2— (methylene), —CH2CH2—, —CH2C(CH3)2CH2—, and —CH2CH2CH2— are non-limiting examples of alkanediyl groups. An “alkane” refers to the class of compounds having the formula H—R, wherein R is alkyl as this term is defined above.


When any of these terms is used with the “substituted” modifier one or more hydrogen atom has been independently replaced by —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NH2, —NO2, —CO2H, —CO2CH3, —CN, —SH, —OCH3, —OCH2CH3, —C(O)CH3, —NHCH3, —NHCH2CH3, —N(CH3)2, —C(O)NH2, —C(O)NHCH3, —C(O)N(CH3)2, —OC(O)CH3, —NHC(O)CH3, —S(O)2OH, or —S(O)2NH2. The following groups are non-limiting examples of substituted alkyl groups: —CH2OH, —CH2Cl, —CF3, —CH2CN, —CH2C(O)OH, —CH2C(O)OCH3, —CH2C(O)NH2, —CH2C(O)CH3, —CH2OCH3, —CH2OC(O)CH3, —CH2NH2, —CH2N(CH3)2, and —CH2CH2Cl. The term “haloalkyl” is a subset of substituted alkyl, in which the hydrogen atom replacement is limited to halo (i.e. —F, —Cl, —Br, or —I) such that no other atoms aside from carbon, hydrogen and halogen are present. The group, —CH2Cl is a non-limiting example of a haloalkyl. The term “fluoroalkyl” is a subset of substituted alkyl, in which the hydrogen atom replacement is limited to fluoro such that no other atoms aside from carbon, hydrogen and fluorine are present. The groups —CH2F, —CF3, and —CH2CF3 are non-limiting examples of fluoroalkyl groups.


The term “cycloalkyl” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to a monovalent saturated aliphatic group with a carbon atom as the point of attachment, the carbon atom forming part of one or more non-aromatic ring structures, no carbon-carbon double or triple bonds, and no atoms other than carbon and hydrogen. Non-limiting examples include: —CH(CH2)2(cyclopropyl), cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl (Cy). The term “cycloalkanediyl” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to a divalent saturated aliphatic group with two carbon atoms as points of attachment, no carbon-carbon double or triple bonds, and no atoms other than carbon and hydrogen. The group




embedded image


is a non-limiting example of cycloalkanediyl group. A “cycloalkane” refers to the class of compounds having the formula H—R, wherein R is cycloalkyl as this term is defined above. When any of these terms is used with the “substituted” modifier one or more hydrogen atom has been independently replaced by —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NH2, —NO2, —CO2H, —CO2CH3, —CN, —SH, —OCH3, —OCH2CH3, —C(O)CH3, —NHCH3, —NHCH2CH3, —N(CH3)2, —C(O)NH2, —C(O)NHCH3, —C(O)N(CH3)2, —OC(O)CH3, —NHC(O)CH3, —S(O)2OH, or —S(O)2NH2.


The term “alkenyl” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to an monovalent unsaturated aliphatic group with a carbon atom as the point of attachment, a linear or branched, acyclic structure, at least one nonaromatic carbon-carbon double bond, no carbon-carbon triple bonds, and no atoms other than carbon and hydrogen. Non-limiting examples include: —CH═CH2 (vinyl), —CH═CHCH3, —CH═CHCH2CH3, —CH2CH═CH2 (allyl), —CH2CH═CHCH3, and —CH═CHCH═CH2. The term “alkenediyl” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to a divalent unsaturated aliphatic group, with two carbon atoms as points of attachment, a linear or branched, a linear or branched acyclic structure, at least one nonaromatic carbon-carbon double bond, no carbon-carbon triple bonds, and no atoms other than carbon and hydrogen. The groups —CH═CH—, —CH═C(CH3)CH2—, —CH═CHCH2—, and —CH2CH═CHCH2— are non-limiting examples of alkenediyl groups. It is noted that while the alkenediyl group is aliphatic, once connected at both ends, this group is not precluded from forming part of an aromatic structure. The terms “alkene” and “olefin” are synonymous and refer to the class of compounds having the formula H—R, wherein R is alkenyl as this term is defined above. Similarly the terms “terminal alkene” and “α-olefin” are synonymous and refer to an alkene having just one carbon-carbon double bond, wherein that bond is part of a vinyl group at an end of the molecule. When any of these terms are used with the “substituted” modifier one or more hydrogen atom has been independently replaced by —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NH2, —NO2, —CO2H, —CO2CH3, —CN, —SH, —OCH3, —OCH2CH3, —C(O)CH3, —NHCH3, —NHCH2CH3, —N(CH3)2, —C(O)NH2, —C(O)NHCH3, —C(O)N(CH3)2, —OC(O)CH3, —NHC(O)CH3, —S(O)2OH, or —S(O)2NH2. The groups —CH═CHF, —CH═CHCl and —CH═CHBr are non-limiting examples of substituted alkenyl groups.


The term “alkynyl” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to a monovalent unsaturated aliphatic group with a carbon atom as the point of attachment, a linear or branched acyclic structure, at least one carbon-carbon triple bond, and no atoms other than carbon and hydrogen. As used herein, the term alkynyl does not preclude the presence of one or more non-aromatic carbon-carbon double bonds. The groups —C≡CH, —C≡CCH3, and —CH2C≡CCH3 are non-limiting examples of alkynyl groups. An “alkyne” refers to the class of compounds having the formula H—R, wherein R is alkynyl. When any of these terms are used with the “substituted” modifier one or more hydrogen atom has been independently replaced by —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NH2, —NO2, —CO2H, —CO2CH3, —CN, —SH, —OCH3, —OCH2CH3, —C(O)CH3, —NHCH3, —NHCH2CH3, —N(CH3)2, —C(O)NH2, —C(O)NHCH3, —C(O)N(CH3)2, —OC(O)CH3, —NHC(O)CH3, —S(O)2OH, or —S(O)2NH2.


The term “aryl” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to a monovalent unsaturated aromatic group with an aromatic carbon atom as the point of attachment, the carbon atom forming part of a one or more six-membered aromatic ring structure, wherein the ring atoms are all carbon, and wherein the group consists of no atoms other than carbon and hydrogen. If more than one ring is present, the rings may be fused or unfused. As used herein, the term does not preclude the presence of one or more alkyl or aralkyl groups (carbon number limitation permitting) attached to the first aromatic ring or any additional aromatic ring present. Non-limiting examples of aryl groups include phenyl (Ph), methylphenyl, (dimethyl)phenyl, —C6H4CH2CH3 (ethylphenyl), naphthyl, and a monovalent group derived from biphenyl. The term “arenediyl” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to a divalent aromatic group with two aromatic carbon atoms as points of attachment, the carbon atoms forming part of one or more six-membered aromatic ring structure(s) wherein the ring atoms are all carbon, and wherein the monovalent group consists of no atoms other than carbon and hydrogen. As used herein, the term does not preclude the presence of one or more alkyl, aryl or aralkyl groups (carbon number limitation permitting) attached to the first aromatic ring or any additional aromatic ring present. If more than one ring is present, the rings may be fused or unfused. Unfused rings may be connected via one or more of the following: a covalent bond, alkanediyl, or alkenediyl groups (carbon number limitation permitting). Non-limiting examples of arenediyl groups include:




embedded image


An “arene” refers to the class of compounds having the formula H—R, wherein R is aryl as that term is defined above. Benzene and toluene are non-limiting examples of arenes. When any of these terms are used with the “substituted” modifier one or more hydrogen atom has been independently replaced by —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NH2, —NO2, —CO2H, —CO2CH3, —CN, —SH, —OCH3, —OCH2CH3, —C(O)CH3, —NHCH3, —NHCH2CH3, —N(CH3)2, —C(O)NH2, —C(O)NHCH3, —C(O)N(CH3)2, —OC(O)CH3, —NHC(O)CH3, —S(O)2OH, or —S(O)2NH2.


The term “aralkyl” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to the monovalent group -alkanediyl-aryl, in which the terms alkanediyl and aryl are each used in a manner consistent with the definitions provided above. Non-limiting examples are: phenylmethyl (benzyl, Bn) and 2-phenyl-ethyl. When the term aralkyl is used with the “substituted” modifier one or more hydrogen atom from the alkanediyl and/or the aryl group has been independently replaced by —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NH2, —NO2, —CO2H, —CO2CH3, —CN, —SH, —OCH3, —OCH2CH3, —C(O)CH3, —NHCH3, —NHCH2CH3, —N(CH3)2, —C(O)NH2, —C(O)NHCH3, —C(O)N(CH3)2, —OC(O)CH3, —NHC(O)CH3, —S(O)2OH, or —S(O)2NH2. Non-limiting examples of substituted aralkyls are: (3-chlorophenyl)-methyl, and 2-chloro-2-phenyl-eth-1-yl.


The term “heteroaryl” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to a monovalent aromatic group with an aromatic carbon atom or nitrogen atom as the point of attachment, the carbon atom or nitrogen atom forming part of one or more aromatic ring structures wherein at least one of the ring atoms is nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, and wherein the heteroaryl group consists of no atoms other than carbon, hydrogen, aromatic nitrogen, aromatic oxygen and aromatic sulfur. Heteroaryl rings may contain 1, 2, 3, or 4 ring atoms selected from are nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. If more than one ring is present, the rings may be fused or unfused. As used herein, the term does not preclude the presence of one or more alkyl, aryl, and/or aralkyl groups (carbon number limitation permitting) attached to the aromatic ring or aromatic ring system. Non-limiting examples of heteroaryl groups include furanyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, indazolyl (Im), isoxazolyl, methylpyridinyl, oxazolyl, phenylpyridinyl, pyridinyl (pyridyl), pyrrolyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, quinolyl, quinazolyl, quinoxalinyl, triazinyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, and triazolyl. The term “N-heteroaryl” refers to a heteroaryl group with a nitrogen atom as the point of attachment. The term “heteroarenediyl” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to an divalent aromatic group, with two aromatic carbon atoms, two aromatic nitrogen atoms, or one aromatic carbon atom and one aromatic nitrogen atom as the two points of attachment, the atoms forming part of one or more aromatic ring structure(s) wherein at least one of the ring atoms is nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, and wherein the divalent group consists of no atoms other than carbon, hydrogen, aromatic nitrogen, aromatic oxygen and aromatic sulfur. If more than one ring is present, the rings may be fused or unfused. Unfused rings may be connected via one or more of the following: a covalent bond, alkanediyl, or alkenediyl groups (carbon number limitation permitting). As used herein, the term does not preclude the presence of one or more alkyl, aryl, and/or aralkyl groups (carbon number limitation permitting) attached to the aromatic ring or aromatic ring system. Non-limiting examples of heteroarenediyl groups include:




embedded image


A “heteroarene” refers to the class of compounds having the formula H—R, wherein R is heteroaryl. Pyridine and quinoline are non-limiting examples of heteroarenes. When these terms are used with the “substituted” modifier one or more hydrogen atom has been independently replaced by —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NH2, —NO2, —CO2H, —CO2CH3, —CN, —SH, —OCH3, —OCH2CH3, —C(O)CH3, —NHCH3, —NHCH2CH3, —N(CH3)2, —C(O)NH2, —C(O)NHCH3, —C(O)N(CH3)2, —OC(O)CH3, —NHC(O)CH3, —S(O)2OH, or —S(O)2NH2.


The term “heterocycloalkyl” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to a monovalent non-aromatic group with a carbon atom or nitrogen atom as the point of attachment, the carbon atom or nitrogen atom forming part of one or more non-aromatic ring structures wherein at least one of the ring atoms is nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, and wherein the heterocycloalkyl group consists of no atoms other than carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Heterocycloalkyl rings may contain 1, 2, 3, or 4 ring atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur. If more than one ring is present, the rings may be fused or unfused. As used herein, the term does not preclude the presence of one or more alkyl groups (carbon number limitation permitting) attached to the ring or ring system. Also, the term does not preclude the presence of one or more double bonds in the ring or ring system, provided that the resulting group remains non-aromatic. Non-limiting examples of heterocycloalkyl groups include aziridinyl, azetidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, pyranyl, oxiranyl, and oxetanyl. The term “N-heterocycloalkyl” refers to a heterocycloalkyl group with a nitrogen atom as the point of attachment. N-pyrrolidinyl is an example of such a group. The term “heterocycloalkanediyl” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to a divalent cyclic group, with two carbon atoms, two nitrogen atoms, or one carbon atom and one nitrogen atom as the two points of attachment, the atoms forming part of one or more ring structure(s) wherein at least one of the ring atoms is nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, and wherein the divalent group consists of no atoms other than carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. If more than one ring is present, the rings may be fused or unfused. Unfused rings may be connected via one or more of the following: a covalent bond, alkanediyl, or alkenediyl groups (carbon number limitation permitting). As used herein, the term does not preclude the presence of one or more alkyl groups (carbon number limitation permitting) attached to the ring or ring system. Also, the term does not preclude the presence of one or more double bonds in the ring or ring system, provided that the resulting group remains non-aromatic. Non-limiting examples of heterocycloalkanediyl groups include:




embedded image


When these terms are used with the “substituted” modifier one or more hydrogen atom has been independently replaced by —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NH2, —NO2, —CO2H, —CO2CH3, —CN, —SH, —OCH3, —OCH2CH3, —C(O)CH3, —NHCH3, —NHCH2CH3, —N(CH3)2, —C(O)NH2, —C(O)NHCH3, —C(O)N(CH3)2, —OC(O)CH3, —NHC(O)CH3, —S(O)2OH, or —S(O)2NH2.


The term “acyl” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to the group —C(O)R, in which R is a hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl or heteroaryl, as those terms are defined above. The groups, —CHO, —C(O)CH3 (acetyl, Ac), —C(O)CH2CH3, —C(O)CH2CH2CH3, —C(O)CH(CH3)2, —C(O)CH(CH2)2, —C(O)C6H5, —C(O)C6H4CH3, —C(O)CH2C6H5, —C(O)(imidazolyl) are non-limiting examples of acyl groups. A “thioacyl” is defined in an analogous manner, except that the oxygen atom of the group —C(O)R has been replaced with a sulfur atom, —C(S)R. The term “aldehyde” corresponds to an alkane, as defined above, wherein at least one of the hydrogen atoms has been replaced with a —CHO group. When any of these terms are used with the “substituted” modifier one or more hydrogen atom (including a hydrogen atom directly attached to the carbon atom of the carbonyl or thiocarbonyl group, if any) has been independently replaced by —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NH2, —NO2, —CO2H, —CO2CH3, —CN, —SH, —OCH3, —OCH2CH3, —C(O)CH3, —NHCH3, —NHCH2CH3, —N(CH3)2, —C(O)NH2, —C(O)NHCH3, —C(O)N(CH3)2, —OC(O)CH3, —NHC(O)CH3, —S(O)2OH, or —S(O)2NH2. The groups, —C(O)CH2CF3, —CO2H (carboxyl), —CO2CH3 (methylcarboxyl), —CO2CH2CH3, —C(O)NH2 (carbamoyl), and —CON(CH3)2, are non-limiting examples of substituted acyl groups.


The term “alkoxy” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to the group —OR, in which R is an alkyl, as that term is defined above. Non-limiting examples include: —OCH3 (methoxy), —OCH2CH3 (ethoxy), —OCH2CH2CH3, —OCH(CH3)2(isopropoxy), —OC(CH3)3(tert-butoxy), —OCH(CH2)2, —O-cyclopentyl, and —O-cyclohexyl. The terms “cycloalkoxy”, “alkenyloxy”, “alkynyloxy”, “aryloxy”, “aralkoxy”, “heteroaryloxy”, “heterocycloalkoxy”, and “acyloxy”, when used without the “substituted” modifier, refers to groups, defined as —OR, in which R is cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, and acyl, respectively. The term “alkoxydiyl” refers to the divalent group —O-alkanediyl-, —O-alkanediyl-O—, or -alkanediyl-O-alkanediyl-. The term “alkylthio” and “acylthio” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to the group —SR, in which R is an alkyl and acyl, respectively. The term “alcohol” corresponds to an alkane, as defined above, wherein at least one of the hydrogen atoms has been replaced with a hydroxy group. The term “ether” corresponds to an alkane, as defined above, wherein at least one of the hydrogen atoms has been replaced with an alkoxy group. When any of these terms is used with the “substituted” modifier one or more hydrogen atom has been independently replaced by —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NH2, —NO2, —CO2H, —CO2CH3, —CN, —SH, —OCH3, —OCH2CH3, —C(O)CH3, —NHCH3, —NHCH2CH3, —N(CH3)2, —C(O)NH2, —C(O)NHCH3, —C(O)N(CH3)2, —OC(O)CH3, —NHC(O)CH3, —S(O)2OH, or —S(O)2NH2.


The term “alkylamino” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to the group —NHR, in which R is an alkyl, as that term is defined above. Non-limiting examples include: —NHCH3 and —NHCH2CH3.


The term “dialkylamino” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to the group —NRR′, in which R and R′ can be the same or different alkyl groups, or R and R′ can be taken together to represent an alkanediyl. Non-limiting examples of dialkylamino groups include: —N(CH3)2 and —N(CH3)(CH2CH3). The terms “cycloalkylamino”, “alkenylamino”, “alkynylamino”, “arylamino”, “aralkylamino”, “heteroarylamino”, “heterocycloalkylamino”, “alkoxyamino”, and “alkylsulfonylamino” when used without the “substituted” modifier, refers to groups, defined as —NHR, in which R is cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, alkoxy, and alkylsulfonyl, respectively. A non-limiting example of an arylamino group is —NHC6H5. The term “alkylaminodiyl” refers to the divalent group —NH-alkanediyl-, —NH-alkanediyl-NH—, or -alkanediyl-NH-alkanediyl-. The term “amido” (acylamino), when used without the “substituted” modifier, refers to the group —NHR, in which R is acyl, as that term is defined above. A non-limiting example of an amido group is —NHC(O)CH3. The term “alkylimino” when used without the “substituted” modifier refers to the divalent group ═NR, in which R is an alkyl, as that term is defined above. When any of these terms is used with the “substituted” modifier one or more hydrogen atom attached to a carbon atom has been independently replaced by —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NH2, —NO2, —CO2H, —CO2CH3, —CN, —SH, —OCH3, —OCH2CH3, —C(O)CH3, —NHCH3, —NHCH2CH3, —N(CH3)2, —C(O)NH2, —C(O)NHCH3, —C(O)N(CH3)2, —OC(O)CH3, —NHC(O)CH3, —S(O)2OH, or —S(O)2NH2. The groups —NHC(O)OCH3 and —NHC(O)NHCH3 are non-limiting examples of substituted amido groups.


Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the present specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present application. Generally the term “about,” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount of weight, time, dose, etc. is meant to encompass in one example variations of ±20% or ±10%, in another example ±5%, in another example ±3%, in another example ±1%, and in yet another example ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed method.


As used in this application, the term “average molecular weight” refers to the relationship between the number of moles of each polymer species and the molar mass of that species. In particular, each polymer molecule may have different levels of polymerization and thus a different molar mass. The average molecular weight can be used to represent the molecular weight of a plurality of polymer molecules. Average molecular weight is typically synonymous with average molar mass. In particular, there are three major types of average molecular weight: number average molar mass, weight (mass) average molar mass, and Z-average molar mass. In the context of this application, unless otherwise specified, the average molecular weight represents either the number average molar mass or weight average molar mass of the formula. In some embodiments, the average molecular weight is the number average molar mass. In some embodiments, the average molecular weight may be used to describe a PEG component present in a lipid.


The terms “comprise,” “have” and “include” are open-ended linking verbs. Any forms or tenses of one or more of these verbs, such as “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes” and “including,” are also open-ended. For example, any method that “comprises,” “has” or “includes” one or more steps is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps and also covers other unlisted steps.


The term “effective,” as that term is used in the specification and/or claims, means adequate to accomplish a desired, expected, or intended result. “Effective amount,” “Therapeutically effective amount” or “pharmaceutically effective amount” when used in the context of treating a patient or subject with a compound means that amount of the compound which, when administered to a subject or patient for treating a disease, is sufficient to effect such treatment for the disease.


As used herein, the term “IC50” refers to an inhibitory dose which is 50% of the maximum response obtained. This quantitative measure indicates how much of a particular drug or other substance (inhibitor) is needed to inhibit a given biological, biochemical or chemical process (or component of a process, i.e. an enzyme, cell, cell receptor or microorganism) by half.


An “isomer” of a first compound is a separate compound in which each molecule contains the same constituent atoms as the first compound, but where the configuration of those atoms in three dimensions differs.


As used herein, the term “patient” or “subject” refers to a living mammalian organism, such as a human, monkey, cow, sheep, goat, dog, cat, mouse, rat, guinea pig, or transgenic species thereof. In certain embodiments, the patient or subject is a primate (e.g., non-human primate). In certain embodiments, the patient or subject is a human. Non-limiting examples of human subjects are adults, juveniles, infants and fetuses.


The term “assemble” or “assembled,” as used herein, in context of delivery of a payload to target cell(s) generally refers to covalent or non-covalent interaction(s) or association(s), for example, such that a therapeutic or prophylactic agent be complexed with or encapsulated in a lipid composition.


As used herein, the term “lipid composition” generally refers to a composition comprising lipid compound(s), including but not limited to, a lipoplex, a liposome, a lipid particle. Examples of lipid compositions include suspensions, emulsions, and vesicular compositions.


As used herein, the term “detectable” refers to an occurrence of, or a change in, a signal that is directly or indirectly detectable either by observation or by instrumentation. Typically, a detectable response is an occurrence of a signal wherein the fluorophore is inherently fluorescent and does not produce a change in signal upon binding to a metal ion or biological compound. Alternatively, the detectable response is an optical response resulting in a change in the wavelength distribution patterns or intensity of absorbance or fluorescence or a change in light scatter, fluorescence lifetime, fluorescence polarization, or a combination of the above parameters. Other detectable responses include, for example, chemiluminescence, phosphorescence, radiation from radioisotopes, magnetic attraction, and electron density


The term “potent” or “potency,” as used herein in connection with delivery of therapeutic agent(s), generally refers to a greater ability of a delivery system (e.g., a lipid composition) to achieve or bring about a desired amount, activity, or effect of a therapeutic agent or prophylactic agent (such as a desired level of translation, transcription, production, expression, or activity of a protein or gene) in cells (e.g., targeted cells) to any measurable extent, e.g., relative to a reference delivery system. For example, a lipid composition with a higher potency may achieve a desired therapeutic effect in a greater population of relevant cells, within a shorter response time, or that last a longer period of time.


As generally used herein “pharmaceutically acceptable” refers to those compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues, organs, and/or bodily fluids of human beings and animals without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problems or complications commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.


“Pharmaceutically acceptable salts” means salts of compounds of the present application which are pharmaceutically acceptable, as defined above, and which possess the desired pharmacological activity. Such salts include acid addition salts formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like; or with organic acids such as 1,2-ethanedisulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 3-phenylpropionic acid, 4,4′-methylenebis(3-hydroxy-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid), 4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid, acetic acid, aliphatic mono- and dicarboxylic acids, aliphatic sulfuric acids, aromatic sulfuric acids, benzenesulfonic acid, benzoic acid, camphorsulfonic acid, carbonic acid, cinnamic acid, citric acid, cyclopentanepropionic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, fumaric acid, glucoheptonic acid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, glycolic acid, heptanoic acid, hexanoic acid, hydroxynaphthoic acid, lactic acid, laurylsulfuric acid, maleic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, muconic acid, o-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)benzoic acid, oxalic acid, p-chlorobenzenesulfonic acid, phenyl-substituted alkanoic acids, propionic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid, stearic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, tertiarybutylacetic acid, trimethylacetic acid, and the like. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts also include base addition salts which may be formed when acidic protons present are capable of reacting with inorganic or organic bases. Acceptable inorganic bases include sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide and calcium hydroxide. Acceptable organic bases include ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, tromethamine, N-methylglucamine and the like. It should be recognized that the particular anion or cation forming a part of any salt of this disclosure is not critical, so long as the salt, as a whole, is pharmacologically acceptable. Additional examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts and their methods of preparation and use are presented in Handbook of Pharmaceutical Salts: Properties, and Use (P. H. Stahl & C. G. Wermuth eds., Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta, 2002).


The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,” as used herein means a pharmaceutically-acceptable material, composition or vehicle, such as a liquid or solid filler, diluent, excipient, solvent or encapsulating material, involved in carrying or transporting a chemical agent.


“Prevention” or “preventing” includes: (1) inhibiting the onset of a disease in a subject or patient which may be at risk and/or predisposed to the disease but does not yet experience or display any or all of the pathology or symptomatology of the disease, and/or (2) slowing the onset of the pathology or symptomatology of a disease in a subject or patient which may be at risk and/or predisposed to the disease but does not yet experience or display any or all of the pathology or symptomatology of the disease.


A “repeat unit” is the simplest structural entity of certain materials, for example, frameworks and/or polymers, whether organic, inorganic or metal-organic. In the case of a polymer chain, repeat units are linked together successively along the chain, like the beads of a necklace. For example, in polyethylene, —[—CH2CH2-]n—, the repeat unit is —CH2CH2—. The subscript “n” denotes the degree of polymerization, that is, the number of repeat units linked together. When the value for “n” is left undefined or where “n” is absent, it simply designates repetition of the formula within the brackets as well as the polymeric nature of the material. The concept of a repeat unit applies equally to where the connectivity between the repeat units extends three dimensionally, such as in metal organic frameworks, modified polymers, thermosetting polymers, etc. Within the context of the dendrimer or dendron, the repeating unit may also be described as the branching unit, interior layers, or generations. Similarly, the terminating group may also be described as the surface group.


A “stereoisomer” or “optical isomer” is an isomer of a given compound in which the same atoms are bonded to the same other atoms, but where the configuration of those atoms in three dimensions differs. “Enantiomers” are stereoisomers of a given compound that are mirror images of each other, like left and right hands. “Diastereomers” are stereoisomers of a given compound that are not enantiomers. Chiral molecules contain a chiral center, also referred to as a stereocenter or stereogenic center, which is any point, though not necessarily an atom, in a molecule bearing groups such that an interchanging of any two groups leads to a stereoisomer. In organic compounds, the chiral center is typically a carbon, phosphorus or sulfur atom, though it is also possible for other atoms to be stereocenters in organic and inorganic compounds. A molecule can have multiple stereocenters, giving it many stereoisomers. In compounds whose stereoisomerism is due to tetrahedral stereogenic centers (e.g., tetrahedral carbon), the total number of hypothetically possible stereoisomers will not exceed 2″, where n is the number of tetrahedral stereocenters. Molecules with symmetry frequently have fewer than the maximum possible number of stereoisomers. A 50:50 mixture of enantiomers is referred to as a racemic mixture. Alternatively, a mixture of enantiomers can be enantiomerically enriched so that one enantiomer is present in an amount greater than 50%. Typically, enantiomers and/or diastereomers can be resolved or separated using techniques known in the art. It is contemplated that that for any stereocenter or axis of chirality for which stereochemistry has not been defined, that stereocenter or axis of chirality can be present in its R form, S form, or as a mixture of the R and S forms, including racemic and non-racemic mixtures. As used herein, the phrase “substantially free from other stereoisomers” means that the composition contains ≤15%, more preferably ≤10%, even more preferably ≤5%, or most preferably ≤1% of another stereoisomer(s).


“Treatment” or “treating” includes (1) inhibiting a disease in a subject or patient experiencing or displaying the pathology or symptomatology of the disease (e.g., arresting further development of the pathology and/or symptomatology), (2) ameliorating a disease in a subject or patient that is experiencing or displaying the pathology or symptomatology of the disease (e.g., reversing the pathology and/or symptomatology), and/or (3) effecting any measurable decrease in a disease in a subject or patient that is experiencing or displaying the pathology or symptomatology of the disease.


The above definitions supersede any conflicting definition in any reference that is incorporated by reference herein. The fact that certain terms are defined, however, should not be considered as indicative that any term that is undefined is indefinite. Rather, all terms used are believed to describe the disclosure in terms such that one of ordinary skill can appreciate the scope and practice the present application.


COMPOSITIONS
Lipid Compositions

In one aspect, provided herein is a lipid composition comprising: (i) an ionizable cationic lipid; and (iii) a selective organ targeting (SORT) lipid separate from the ionizable cationic lipid. The lipid composition may further comprise a phospholipid.


Ionizable Cationic Lipids

In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises an ionizable cationic lipid. In some embodiments, the cationic ionizable lipids contain one or more groups which is protonated at physiological pH but may deprotonated and has no charge at a pH above 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12. The ionizable cationic group may contain one or more protonatable amines which are able to form a cationic group at physiological pH. The cationic ionizable lipid compound may also further comprise one or more lipid components such as two or more fatty acids with C6-C24 alkyl or alkenyl carbon groups. These lipid groups may be attached through an ester linkage or may be further added through a Michael addition to a sulfur atom. In some embodiments, these compounds may be a dendrimer, a dendron, a polymer, or a combination thereof.


In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the ionizable cationic lipids refer to lipid and lipid-like molecules with nitrogen atoms that can acquire charge (pKa). These lipids may be known in the literature as cationic lipids. These molecules with amino groups typically have between 2 and 6 hydrophobic chains, often alkyl or alkenyl such as C6-C24 alkyl or alkenyl groups, but may have at least 1 or more that 6 tails. In some embodiments, these cationic ionizable lipids are dendrimers, which are a polymer exhibiting regular dendritic branching, formed by the sequential or generational addition of branched layers to or from a core and are characterized by a core, at least one interior branched layer, and a surface branched layer. (See Petar R. Dvornic and Donald A. Tomalia in Chem. in Britain, 641-645, August 1994.) In other embodiments, the term “dendrimer” as used herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, a molecular architecture with an interior core, interior layers (or “generations”) of repeating units regularly attached to this initiator core, and an exterior surface of terminal groups attached to the outermost generation. A “dendron” is a species of dendrimer having branches emanating from a focal point which is or can be joined to a core, either directly or through a linking moiety to form a larger dendrimer. In some embodiments, the dendrimer structures have radiating repeating groups from a central core which doubles with each repeating unit for each branch. In some embodiments, the dendrimers described herein may be described as a small molecule, medium-sized molecules, lipids, or lipid-like material. These terms may be used to described compounds described herein which have a dendron like appearance (e.g., molecules which radiate from a single focal point).


While dendrimers are polymers, dendrimers may be preferable to traditional polymers because they have a controllable structure, a single molecular weight, numerous and controllable surface functionalities, and traditionally adopt a globular conformation after reaching a specific generation. Dendrimers can be prepared by sequentially reactions of each repeating unit to produce monodisperse, tree-like and/or generational structure polymeric structures. Individual dendrimers consist of a central core molecule, with a dendritic wedge attached to one or more functional sites on that central core. The dendrimeric surface layer can have a variety of functional groups disposed thereon including anionic, cationic, hydrophilic, or lipophilic groups, according to the assembly monomers used during the preparation.


Modifying the functional groups and/or the chemical properties of the core, repeating units, and the surface or terminating groups, their physical properties can be modulated. Some properties which can be varied include, but are not limited to, solubility, toxicity, immunogenicity and bioattachment capability. Dendrimers are often described by their generation or number of repeating units in the branches. A dendrimer consisting of only the core molecule is referred to as Generation 0, while each consecutive repeating unit along all branches is Generation 1, Generation 2, and so on until the terminating or surface group. In some embodiments, half generations are possible resulting from only the first condensation reaction with the amine and not the second condensation reaction with the thiol.


Preparation of dendrimers requires a level of synthetic control achieved through series of stepwise reactions comprising building the dendrimer by each consecutive group. Dendrimer synthesis can be of the convergent or divergent type. During divergent dendrimer synthesis, the molecule is assembled from the core to the periphery in a stepwise process involving attaching one generation to the previous and then changing functional groups for the next stage of reaction. Functional group transformation is necessary to prevent uncontrolled polymerization. Such polymerization would lead to a highly branched molecule that is not monodisperse and is otherwise known as a hyperbranched polymer. Due to steric effects, continuing to react dendrimer repeat units leads to a sphere shaped or globular molecule, until steric overcrowding prevents complete reaction at a specific generation and destroys the molecule's monodispersity. Thus, in some embodiments, the dendrimers of G1-G10 generation are specifically contemplated. In some embodiments, the dendrimers comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 repeating units, or any range derivable therein. In some embodiments, the dendrimers used herein are G0, G1, G2, or G3. However, the number of possible generations (such as 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, or 25) may be increased by reducing the spacing units in the branching polymer.


Additionally, dendrimers have two major chemical environments: the environment created by the specific surface groups on the termination generation and the interior of the dendritic structure which due to the higher order structure can be shielded from the bulk media and the surface groups. Because of these different chemical environments, dendrimers have found numerous different potential uses including in therapeutic applications.


In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the dendrimers or dendrons are assembled using the differential reactivity of the acrylate and methacrylate groups with amines and thiols. The dendrimers or dendrons may include secondary or tertiary amines and thioethers formed by the reaction of an acrylate group with a primary or secondary amine and a methacrylate with a mercapto group. Additionally, the repeating units of the dendrimers or dendrons may contain groups which are degradable under physiological conditions. In some embodiments, these repeating units may contain one or more germinal diethers, esters, amides, or disulfides groups. In some embodiments, the core molecule is a monoamine which allows dendritic polymerization in only one direction. In other embodiments, the core molecule is a polyamine with multiple different dendritic branches which each may comprise one or more repeating units. The dendrimer or dendron may be formed by removing one or more hydrogen atoms from this core. In some embodiments, these hydrogen atoms are on a heteroatom such as a nitrogen atom. In some embodiments, the terminating group is a lipophilic group such as a long chain alkyl or alkenyl group. In other embodiments, the terminating group is a long chain haloalkyl or haloalkenyl group. In other embodiments, the terminating group is an aliphatic or aromatic group containing an ionizable group such as an amine (—NH2) or a carboxylic acid (—CO2H). In still other embodiments, the terminating group is an aliphatic or aromatic group containing one or more hydrogen bond donors such as a hydroxide group, an amide group, or an ester.


The cationic ionizable lipids of the present application may contain one or more asymmetrically-substituted carbon or nitrogen atoms, and may be isolated in optically active or racemic form. Thus, all chiral, diastereomeric, racemic form, epimeric form, and all geometric isomeric forms of a chemical formula are intended, unless the specific stereochemistry or isomeric form is specifically indicated. Cationic ionizable lipids may occur as racemates and racemic mixtures, single enantiomers, diastereomeric mixtures and individual diastereomers. In some embodiments, a single diastereomer is obtained. The chiral centers of the cationic ionizable lipids of the present application can have the S or the R configuration. Furthermore, it is contemplated that one or more of the cationic ionizable lipids may be present as constitutional isomers. In some embodiments, the compounds have the same formula but different connectivity to the nitrogen atoms of the core. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed that such cationic ionizable lipids exist because the starting monomers react first with the primary amines and then statistically with any secondary amines present. Thus, the constitutional isomers may present the fully reacted primary amines and then a mixture of reacted secondary amines.


Chemical formulas used to represent cationic ionizable lipids of the present application will typically only show one of possibly several different tautomers. For example, many types of ketone groups are known to exist in equilibrium with corresponding enol groups. Similarly, many types of imine groups exist in equilibrium with enamine groups. Regardless of which tautomer is depicted for a given formula, and regardless of which one is most prevalent, all tautomers of a given chemical formula are intended.


The cationic ionizable lipids of the present application may also have the advantage that they may be more efficacious than, be less toxic than, be longer acting than, be more potent than, produce fewer side effects than, be more easily absorbed than, and/or have a better pharmacokinetic profile (e.g., higher oral bioavailability and/or lower clearance) than, and/or have other useful pharmacological, physical, or chemical properties over, compounds known in the prior art, whether for use in the indications stated herein or otherwise.


In addition, atoms making up the cationic ionizable lipids of the present application are intended to include all isotopic forms of such atoms. Isotopes, as used herein, include those atoms having the same atomic number but different mass numbers. By way of general example and without limitation, isotopes of hydrogen include tritium and deuterium, and isotopes of carbon include 13C and 14C.


It should be recognized that the particular anion or cation forming a part of any salt form of a cationic ionizable lipids provided herein is not critical, so long as the salt, as a whole, is pharmacologically acceptable. Additional examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts and their methods of preparation and use are presented in Handbook of Pharmaceutical Salts: Properties, and Use (2002), which is incorporated herein by reference.


In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the ionizable cationic lipid is a dendrimer or dendron. In some embodiments, the ionizable cationic lipid comprises an ammonium group which is positively charged at physiological pH and contains at least two hydrophobic groups. In some embodiments, the ammonium group is positively charged at a pH from about 6 to about 8. In some embodiments, the ionizable cationic lipid is a dendrimer or dendron. In some embodiments, the ionizable cationic lipid comprises at least two C6-C24 alkyl or alkenyl groups.


Dendrimers or Dendrons of Formula (I)

In some embodiments of the lipid composition, the ionizable cationic lipid comprises at least two C8-C24 alkyl groups. In some embodiments, the ionizable cationic lipid is a dendrimer or dendron further defined by the formula:


Core-Repeating Unit-Terminating Group (D-I)





    • wherein the core is linked to the repeating unit by removing one or more hydrogen atoms from the core and replacing the atom with the repeating unit and wherein:
      • the core has the formula:







embedded image






      • wherein:
        • X1 is amino or alkylamino(C≤12), dialkylamino(C≤12), heterocycloalkyl(C≤12), heteroaryl(C≤12), or a substituted version thereof,
        • R1 is amino, hydroxy, or mercapto, or alkylamino(C≤12), dialkylamino(C≤12), or a substituted version of either of these groups; and
        • a is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; or

      • the core has the formula:









embedded image






      • wherein:
        • X2 is N(R5)y;
        • R5 is hydrogen, alkyl(C≤18), or substituted alkyl(C≤18); and
        • y is 0, 1, or 2, provided that the sum of y and z is 3;
        • R2 is amino, hydroxy, or mercapto, or alkylamino(C≤12), dialkylamino(C≤12), or a substituted version of either of these groups;
        • b is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; and
        • z is 1, 2, 3; provided that the sum of z and y is 3; or

      • the core has the formula:









embedded image






      • wherein:
        • X3 is —NR6—, wherein R6 is hydrogen, alkyl(C≤8), or substituted alkyl(C≤8), —O—, or alkylaminodiyl(C≤8), alkoxydiyl(C≤8), arenediyl(C≤18), heteroarenediyl(C≤18), heterocycloalkanediyl(C≤8), or a substituted version of any of these groups;
        • R3 and R4 are each independently amino, hydroxy, or mercapto, or alkylamino(C≤12), dialkylamino(C≤12), or a substituted version of either of these groups; or a group of the formula: —N(Rf)f(CH2CH2N(Rc))eRd,









embedded image










          • wherein:

          •  e and f are each independently 1, 2, or 3; provided that the sum of e and f is 3;

          •  Rc, Rd, and Rf are each independently hydrogen, alkyl(C≤6), or substituted alkyl(C≤6);

          • c and d are each independently 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; or





      • the core is alkylamine(C≤18), dialkylamine(C≤36), heterocycloalkane(C≤12), or a substituted version of any of these groups;

      • wherein the repeating unit comprises a degradable diacyl and a linker;
        • the degradable diacyl group has the formula:









embedded image








        • wherein:
          • A1 and A2 are each independently —O—, —S—, or —NRa—, wherein:
          • Ra is hydrogen, alkyl(C≤6), or substituted alkyl(C≤6);
          • Y3 is alkanediyl(C≤12), alkenediyl(C≤12), arenediyl(C≤12), or a substituted version of any of these groups; or a group of the formula:











embedded image










          • wherein:

          •  X3 and X4 are alkanediyl(C≤12), alkenediyl(C≤12), arenediyl(C≤12), or a substituted version of any of these groups;

          •  Y5 is a covalent bond, alkanediyl(C≤12), alkenediyl(C≤12), arenediyl(C≤12), or a substituted version of any of these groups; and

          •  R9 is alkyl(C≤18) or substituted alkyl(C≤18);



        • the linker group has the formula:











embedded image








        • wherein:
          • Y1 is alkanediyl(C≤12), alkenediyl(C≤12), arenediyl(C≤12), or a substituted version of any of these groups; and

        • wherein when the repeating unit comprises a linker group, then the linker group comprises an independent degradable diacyl group attached to both the nitrogen and the sulfur atoms of the linker group if n is greater than 1, wherein the first group in the repeating unit is a degradable diacyl group, wherein for each linker group, the next repeating unit comprises two degradable diacyl groups attached to the nitrogen atom of the linker group; and wherein n is the number of linker groups present in the repeating unit; and



      • the terminating group has the formula:









embedded image






      • wherein:
        • Y4 is alkanediyl(C≤18) or an alkanediyl(C≤18) wherein one or more of the hydrogen atoms on the alkanediyl(C≤18) has been replaced with —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —SH, —OCH3, —OCH2CH3, —SCH3, or —OC(O)CH3;
        • R10 is hydrogen, carboxy, hydroxy, or
        • aryl(C≤12), alkylamino(C≤12), dialkylamino(C≤12), N-heterocycloalkyl(C≤12), —C(O)N(R11)-alkanediyl(C≤6)-heterocycloalkyl(C≤12), —C(O)-alkylamino(C≤12), —C(O)-dialkylamino(C≤12), —C(O)—N-heterocycloalkyl(C≤12), wherein:
        • R11 is hydrogen, alkyl(C≤6), or substituted alkyl(C≤6);
        • wherein the final degradable diacyl in the chain is attached to a terminating group;
        • n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6;



    • or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In some embodiments, the terminating group is further defined by the formula:







embedded image




    • wherein:
      • Y4 is alkanediyl(C≤18); and
      • R10 is hydrogen. In some embodiments, A1 and A2 are each independently —O— or —NRa—.





In some embodiments of the dendrimer or dendron of formula (D-I), the core is further defined by the formula:




embedded image




    • wherein:
      • X2 is N(R5)y;
        • R5 is hydrogen or alkyl(C≤18), or substituted alkyl(C≤18); and
        • y is 0, 1, or 2, provided that the sum of y and z is 3;
      • R2 is amino, hydroxy, or mercapto, or alkylamino(C≤12), dialkylamino(C≤12), or a substituted version of either of these groups;
      • b is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; and
      • z is 1, 2, 3; provided that the sum of z and y is 3.





In some embodiments of the dendrimer or dendron of formula (D-I), the core is further defined by the formula:




embedded image




    • wherein:
      • X3 is —NR6—, wherein R6 is hydrogen, alkyl(C≤18), or substituted alkyl(C≤18), —O—, or alkylaminodiyl(C≤18), alkoxydiyl(C≤18), arenediyl(C≤18), heteroarenediyl(C≤18), heterocycloalkanediyl(C≤18), or a substituted version of any of these groups;
      • R3 and R4 are each independently amino, hydroxy, or mercapto, or alkylamino(C≤12), dialkylamino(C≤12), or a substituted version of either of these groups; or a group of the formula: —N(Rf)f(CH2CH2N(Rc))eRd,







embedded image








        • wherein:
          • e and f are each independently 1, 2, or 3; provided that the sum of e and f is 3;
          • Re, Rd, and Rf are each independently hydrogen, alkyl(C≤6), or substituted alkyl(C≤6);



      • c and d are each independently 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.







In some embodiments of the dendrimer or dendron of formula (I), the terminating group is represented by the formula:




embedded image




    • wherein:

    • Y4 is alkanediyl(C≤18); and

    • R10 is hydrogen.





In some embodiments of the dendrimer or dendron of formula (D-I), the core is further defined as:




embedded image


embedded image


In some embodiments of the dendrimer or dendron of formula (D-I), the degradable diacyl is further defined as:




embedded image


In some embodiments of the dendrimer or dendron of formula (D-I), the linker is further defined as




embedded image


wherein Y1 is alkanediyl(C≤18) or substituted alkanediyl(C≤18).


In some embodiments of the dendrimer or dendron of formula (D-I), the dendrimer or dendron is selected from the group consisting of:




embedded image


embedded image


embedded image




    • and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.





Dendrimers or Dendrons of Formula (X)

In some embodiments of the lipid composition, the ionizable cationic lipid is a dendrimer or dendron of the formula Coreprivate use character ParenopenstBranch)N. In some embodiments, the ionizable cationic lipid is a dendrimer or dendron of the formula




embedded image


In some embodiments of the lipid composition, the ionizable cationic lipid is a dendrimer or dendron of a generation (g) having a structural formula:




embedded image


or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

    • (a) the core comprises a structural formula (XCore):




embedded image






      • wherein:
        • Q is independently at each occurrence a covalent bond, —O—, —S—, —NR2—, or —CR3aR3b—;
        • R2 is independently at each occurrence R1g or -L2-NR1eR1f;
        • R3a and R3b are each independently at each occurrence hydrogen or an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C6, such as C1-C3) alkyl;
        • R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, R1e, R1f, and R1g (if present) are each independently at each occurrence a point of connection to a branch, hydrogen, or an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C12) alkyl;
        • L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence selected from a covalent bond, alkylene, heteroalkylene, [alkylene]-[heterocycloalkyl]-[alkylene], [alkylene]-(arylene)-[alkylene], heterocycloalkyl, and arylene; or,
        • alternatively, part of L1 form a (e.g., C4-C6) heterocycloalkyl (e.g., containing one or two nitrogen atoms and, optionally, an additional heteroatom selected from oxygen and sulfur) with one of R1c and R1d; and
        • x1 is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; and



    • (b) each branch of the plurality (N) of branches independently comprises a structural formula (XBranch):







embedded image






      • wherein:
        • * indicates a point of attachment of the branch to the core;
        • g is 1, 2, 3, or 4;
        • Z=2(g-1);
        • G=0, when g=1; or G=Σi=0i=g-2, when g≠1;



    • (c) each diacyl group independently comprises a structural formula







embedded image




    •  wherein:
      • * indicates a point of attachment of the diacyl group at the proximal end thereof,
      • ** indicates a point of attachment of the diacyl group at the distal end thereof,
      • Y3 is independently at each occurrence an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C12); alkylene, an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C12) alkenylene, or an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C12) arenylene;
      • A1 and A2 are each independently at each occurrence —O—, —S—, or —NR4—, wherein:
        • R4 is hydrogen or optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C6) alkyl;
      • m1 and m2 are each independently at each occurrence 1, 2, or 3; and
      • R3c, R3d, R3e, and R3f are each independently at each occurrence hydrogen or an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C8) alkyl; and

    • (d) each linker group independently comprises a structural formula







embedded image




    •  wherein:
      • ** indicates a point of attachment of the linker to a proximal diacyl group;
      • *** indicates a point of attachment of the linker to a distal diacyl group; and
      • Y1 is independently at each occurrence an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C12) alkylene, an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C12) alkenylene, or an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C12) arenylene; and

    • (e) each terminating group is independently selected from optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C18, such as C4-C18) alkylthiol, and optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C18, such as C4-C18) alkenylthiol.





In some embodiments of XCore, Q is independently at each occurrence a covalent bond, —O—, —S—, —NR2—, or —CR3aR3b. In some embodiments of XCore Q is independently at each occurrence a covalent bond.


In some embodiments of XCore Q is independently at each occurrence an —O—. In some embodiments of XCore Q is independently at each occurrence a —S—. In some embodiments of XCore Q is independently at each occurrence a —NR2 and R2 is independently at each occurrence R1g or -L2-NR1eR1f. In some embodiments of XCore Q is independently at each occurrence a —CR3aR3bR3a, and R3a and R3b are each independently at each occurrence hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl (e.g., C1-C6, such as C1-C3).


In some embodiments of XCore, R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, R1e, R1f, and R1g (if present) are each independently at each occurrence a point of connection to a branch, hydrogen, or an optionally substituted alkyl. In some embodiments of XCore, R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, R1e, R1f, and R1g (if present) are each independently at each occurrence a point of connection to a branch, hydrogen. In some embodiments of XCore, R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, R1e, R1f, and R1g (if present) are each independently at each occurrence a point of connection to a branch an optionally substituted alkyl (e.g., C1-C12).


In some embodiments of XCore, L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence selected from a covalent bond, alkylene, heteroalkylene, [alkylene]-[heterocycloalkyl]-[alkylene], [alkylene]-(arylene)-[alkylene], heterocycloalkyl, and arylene; or, alternatively, part of L1 form a heterocycloalkyl (e.g., C4-C6 and containing one or two nitrogen atoms and, optionally, an additional heteroatom selected from oxygen and sulfur) with one of R1c and R1d. In some embodiments of XCore, L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence can be a covalent bond. In some embodiments of XCore, L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence can be a hydrogen. In some embodiments of XCore, L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence can be an alkylene (e.g., C1-C12, such as C1-C6 or C1-C3). In some embodiments of XCore, L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence can be a heteroalkylene (e.g., C1-C12, such as C1-C8 or C1-C6). In some embodiments of XCore, L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence can be a heteroalkylene (e.g., C2-C8 alkyleneoxide, such as oligo(ethyleneoxide)). In some embodiments of XCore, L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence can be a [alkylene]-[heterocycloalkyl]-[alkylene] [(e.g., C1-C6) alkylene]-[(e.g., C4-C6) heterocycloalkyl]-[(e.g., C1-C6) alkylene]. In some embodiments of XCore, L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence can be a [alkylene]-(arylene)-[alkylene] [(e.g., C1-C6) alkylene]-(arylene)-[(e.g., C1-C6) alkylene]. In some embodiments of XCore, L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence can be a [alkylene]-(arylene)-[alkylene] (e.g., [(e.g., C1-C6) alkylene]-phenylene-[(e.g., C1-C6) alkylene]). In some embodiments of XCore, L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence can be a heterocycloalkyl (e.g., C4-C6heterocycloalkyl). In some embodiments of XCore, L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence can be an arylene (e.g., phenylene). In some embodiments of XCore, part of L1 form a heterocycloalkyl with one of R1c and R1d. In some embodiments of XCore, part of L1 form a heterocycloalkyl (e.g., C4-C6 heterocycloalkyl) with one of R1c and R1d and the heterocycloalkyl can contain one or two nitrogen atoms and, optionally, an additional heteroatom selected from oxygen and sulfur.


In some embodiments of XCore, L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence selected from a covalent bond, C1-C6 alkylene (e.g., C1-C3 alkylene), C2-C12 (e.g., C2-C5) alkyleneoxide (e.g., oligo(ethyleneoxide), such as —(CH2CH2O)1-4—(CH2CH2)—), [(C1-C4) alkylene]-[(C4-C6) heterocycloalkyl]-[(C1-C4) alkylene] (e.g.,




embedded image


and [(C1-C4) alkylene]-phenylene-[(C1-C4) alkylene] (e.g.,




embedded image


In some embodiments of XCore, L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence selected from C1-C6 alkylene (e.g., C1-C3 alkylene), —(C1-C3 alkylene-O)1-4—(C1-C3 alkylene), —(C1-C3 alkylene)-phenylene-(C1-C3 alkylene)-, and —(C1-C3 alkylene)-piperazinyl-(C1-C3 alkylene)-. In some embodiments of XCore, L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence C1-C6 alkylene (e.g., C1-C3 alkylene). In some embodiments, L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence C2-C12 (e.g., C2-C8) alkyleneoxide (e.g., —(C1-C3 alkylene-O)1-4—(C1-C3 alkylene)). In some embodiments of XCore, L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence selected from [(C1-C4) alkylene]-[(C4-C6) heterocycloalkyl]-[(C1-C4) alkylene] (e.g., —(C1-C3 alkylene)-phenylene-(C1-C3 alkylene)-) and [(C1-C4) alkylene]-[(C4-C6) heterocycloalkyl]-[(C1-C4) alkylene] (e.g., —(C1-C3 alkylene)-piperazinyl-(C1-C3 alkylene)-).


In some embodiments of XCore, x1 is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. In some embodiments of XCore, x1 is 0. In some embodiments of XCore, x1 is 1. In some embodiments of XCore, x1 is 2. In some embodiments of Xcore, x1 is 0, 3. In some embodiments of XCore, x1 is 4. In some embodiments of XCore x1 is 5. In some embodiments of XCore, x1 is 6.


In some embodiments of XCore, the core comprises a structural formula:




embedded image


In some embodiments of XCore, the core comprises a structural formula:




embedded image


In some embodiments of XCore, the core comprises a structural formula:




embedded image


In some embodiments of XCore, the core comprises a structural formula:




embedded image


In some embodiments of XCore, the core comprises a structural formula:




embedded image


In some embodiments of XCore, the core comprises a structural formula:




embedded image


In some embodiments of Xcore, the core comprises a structural formula:




embedded image


such as




embedded image


In some embodiments of XCore, the core comprises a structural formula:




embedded image


wherein Q′ is —NR2— or —CR3aR3b—; q1 and q2 are each independently 1 or 2. In some embodiments of XCore, the core comprises a structural formula:




embedded image


In some embodiments of XCore, the core comprises a structural formula




embedded image


wherein ring A is an optionally substituted aryl or an optionally substituted (e.g., C3-C12, such as C3-C5) heteroaryl. In some embodiments of XCore, the core comprises has a structural formula




embedded image


In some embodiments of XCore, the core comprises a structural formula set forth in Table. 1 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein * indicates a point of attachment of the core to a branch of the plurality of branches. In some embodiments, the example cores of Table. 1 are not limited to the stereoisomers (i.e., enantiomers, diastereomers) listed.









TABLE 1







Example core structures








ID #
Structure





1A1


embedded image







1A2-1


embedded image







1A2-2


embedded image







1A3-1


embedded image







1A3-2


embedded image







1A4


embedded image







1A5-1


embedded image







1A-2


embedded image







2A1-1


embedded image







2A1-2


embedded image







2A2-1


embedded image







2A2-2


embedded image







2A3


embedded image







2A4


embedded image







2A5


embedded image







2A6


embedded image







2A7-1


embedded image







2A7-2


embedded image







2A8


embedded image







2A9


embedded image







2A9V


embedded image







2A10


embedded image







2A11


embedded image







2A12


embedded image







3A1


embedded image







3A2


embedded image







3A3


embedded image







3A4


embedded image







3A5


embedded image







3A6


embedded image







3A7


embedded image







4A1


embedded image







4A2


embedded image







4A3


embedded image







4A4


embedded image







5A1


embedded image







5A2-1 (5-arm)


embedded image







5A2-2 (5-arm)


embedded image







5A2-3 (5-arm)


embedded image







5A2-4 (5-arm)


embedded image







5A3-1 (5-arm)


embedded image







5A4-1 (5 arm)


embedded image







5A5


embedded image







5A6


embedded image







5A2-4 (6 arm)


embedded image







5A2-5 (6 arm)


embedded image







5A2-6 (6 arm)


embedded image







5A3-2 (6 arm)


embedded image







5A4-2 (6 arm)


embedded image







6A4


embedded image







1H1


embedded image







1H2


embedded image







1H3


embedded image







2H1


embedded image







2H2


embedded image







2H3


embedded image







2H4


embedded image







2H5


embedded image







2H6


embedded image











In some embodiments of XCore, the core comprises a structural formula selected from the group consisting of:




embedded image


embedded image


embedded image


and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein * indicates a point of attachment of the core to a branch of the plurality of branches or H. In some embodiments, wherein * indicates a point of attachment of the core to a branch of the plurality of branches.


In some embodiments of XCore, the core has the structure




embedded image


wherein * indicates a point of attachment of the core to a branch of the plurality of branches or H. In some embodiments, at least 2 branches are attached to the core. In some embodiments, at least 3 branches are attached to the core. In some embodiments, at least 4 branches are attached to the core.


In some embodiments of XCore, the core has the structure




embedded image


wherein * indicates a point of attachment of the core to a branch of the plurality of branches or H. In some embodiments, at least 4 branches are attached to the core. In some embodiments, at least 5 branches are attached to the core. In some embodiments, at least 6 branches are attached to the core.


In some embodiments, the plurality (N) of branches comprises at least 3 branches, at least 4 branches, at least 5 branches. In some embodiments, the plurality (N) of branches comprises at least 3 branches. In some embodiments, the plurality (N) of branches comprises at least 4 branches. In some embodiments, the plurality (N) of branches comprises at least 5 branches.


In some embodiments of XBranch, g is 1, 2, 3, or 4. In some embodiments of XBrach, g is 1. In some embodiments of XBranch, g is 2. In some embodiments of XBranch, g is 3. In some embodiments of XBranch, g is 4.


In some embodiments of XBranch, Z=2(g-1) and when g=1, G=0. In some embodiments of XBranch, Z=2(g-1) and G=Σi=1i=g-22i, when g≠1.


In some embodiments of XBranch, g=1, G=0, Z=1, and each branch of the plurality of branches comprises a structural formula each branch of the plurality of branches comprises a structural formula




embedded image


In some embodiments of XBranch, g=2, G=1, Z=2, and each branch of the plurality of branches comprises a structural formula




embedded image


In some embodiments of XBranch, g=3, G=3, Z=4, and each branch of the plurality of branches comprises a structural formula




embedded image


In some embodiments of XBranch, g=4, G=7, Z=8, and each branch of the plurality of branches comprises a structural formula




embedded image


In some embodiments, the dendrimers or dendrons described herein with a generation (g)=1 has the structure:




embedded image


In some embodiments, the dendrimers or or dendrons described herein with a generation (g)=1 has the structure:




embedded image


An example formulation of the dendrimers or dendrons described herein for generations 1-4 is shown in Table 2. The number of diacyl groups, linker groups, and terminating groups can be calculated based on g.









TABLE 2







Formulation of Dendrimer or Dendron Groups Based on Generation (g)













g = 1
g = 2
g = 3
g = 4
















# of diacyl grp
1
1 + 2 = 3
1 + 2 + 22 = 7
1 + 2 + 22 + 23 = 15
1 + 2 + . . . + 2g−1


# of linker grp
0
1
1 + 2
1 + 2 + 22
1 + 2 + . . . + 2g−2


# of terminating grp
1
2
22
23
2(g−1)









In some embodiments, the diacyl group independently comprises a structural formula




embedded image


* indicates a point of attachment of the diacyl group at the proximal end thereof, and ** indicates a point of attachment of the diacyl group at the distal end thereof.


In some embodiments of the diacyl group of XBranch, Y3 is independently at each occurrence an optionally substituted; alkylene, an optionally substituted alkenylene, or an optionally substituted arenylene. In some embodiments of the diacyl group of XBranch, Y3 is independently at each occurrence an optionally substituted alkylene (e.g., C1-C12). In some embodiments of the diacyl group of XBranch, Y3 is independently at each occurrence an optionally substituted alkenylene (e.g., C1-C12). In some embodiments of the diacyl group of XBranch, Y3 is independently at each occurrence an optionally substituted arenylene (e.g., C1-C12).


In some embodiments of the diacyl group of XBranch, A1 and A2 are each independently at each occurrence —O—, —S—, or —NR4—. In some embodiments of the diacyl group of XBranch, A1 and A2 are each independently at each occurrence —O—. In some embodiments of the diacyl group of XBranch, A1 and A2 are each independently at each occurrence —S—. In some embodiments of the diacyl group of XBranch, A1 and A2 are each independently at each occurrence —NR4— and R4 is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl (e.g., C1-C6). In some embodiments of the diacyl group of XBranch, m1 and m2 are each independently at each occurrence 1, 2, or 3. In some embodiments of the diacyl group of XBranch, m1 and m2 are each independently at each occurrence 1. In some embodiments of the diacyl group of XBranch, m1 and m2 are each independently at each occurrence 2. In some embodiments of the diacyl group of XBranch, m1 and m2 are each independently at each occurrence 3. In some embodiments of the diacyl group of XBranch, R3c, R3d, R3e, and R3f are each independently at each occurrence hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl. In some embodiments of the diacyl group of XBranch, R3c, R3d, R3e, and R3f are each independently at each occurrence hydrogen. In some embodiments of the diacyl group of XBranch, R3c, R3d, R3e, and R3f are each independently at each occurrence an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C8) alkyl.


In some embodiments of the diacyl group, A1 is —O— or —NH—. In some embodiments of the diacyl group, A1 is —O—. In some embodiments of the diacyl group, A2 is —O— or —NH—. In some embodiments of the diacyl group, A2 is —O—. In some embodiments of the diacyl group, Y3 is C1-C12 (e.g., C1-C6, such as C1-C3) alkylene.


In some embodiments of the diacyl group, the diacyl group independently at each occurrence comprises a structural formula




embedded image


such as




embedded image


and optionally R3c, R3d, R3e, and R3f are each independently at each occurrence hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl.


In some embodiments, linker group independently comprises a structural formula




embedded image


** indicates a point of attachment of the linker to a proximal diacyl group, and *** indicates a point of attachment of the linker to a distal diacyl group.


In some embodiments of the linker group of XBranch if present, Y1 is independently at each occurrence an optionally substituted alkylene, an optionally substituted alkenylene, or an optionally substituted arenylene. In some embodiments of the linker group of XBranch if present, Y1 is independently at each occurrence an optionally substituted alkylene (e.g., C1-C12). In some embodiments of the linker group of XBranch if present, Y1 is independently at each occurrence an optionally substituted alkenylene (e.g., C1-C12). In some embodiments of the linker group of XBranch if present, Y1 is independently at each occurrence an optionally substituted arenylene (e.g., C1-C12).


In some embodiments of the terminating group of XBranch, each terminating group is independently selected from optionally substituted alkylthiol and optionally substituted alkenylthiol. In some embodiments of the terminating group of XBranch, each terminating group is an optionally substituted alkylthiol (e.g., C1-C18, such as C4-C18). In some embodiments of the terminating group of XBranch, each terminating group is optionally substituted alkenylthiol (e.g., C1-C18, such as C4-C18).


In some embodiments of the terminating group of XBranch, each terminating group is independently C1-C18 alkenylthiol or C1-C18 alkylthiol, and the alkyl or alkenyl moiety is optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from halogen, C6-C12 aryl, C1-C12 alkylamino, C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl, —OH, —C(O)OH, —C(O)N(C1-C3 alkyl)-(C1-C6 alkylene)-(C1-C12 alkylamino), —C(O)N(C1-C3 alkyl)-(C1-C6 alkylene)-(C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl), —C(O)—(C1-C12 alkylamino), and —C(O)—(C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl), and the C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl moiety of any of the preceding substituents is optionally substituted with C1-C3 alkyl or C1-C3 hydroxyalkyl.


In some embodiments of the terminating group of XBranch, each terminating group is independently C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkenylthiol or C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkylthiol, wherein the alkyl or alkenyl moiety is optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from halogen, C6-C12 aryl (e.g., phenyl), C1-C12 (e.g., C1-C8) alkylamino (e.g., C1-C6 mono-alkylamino (such as —NHCH2CH2CH2CH3) or C1-C8 di-alkylamino (such as




embedded image


C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl (e.g., N-pyrrolidinyl




embedded image


N-piperidinyl



embedded image


N-azepanyl



embedded image


—OH, —C(O)OH, —C(O)N(C1-C3 alkyl)-(C1-C6 alkylene)-(C1-C12 alkylamino (e.g., mono- or di-alkylamino)) (e.g.,




embedded image


—C(O)N(C1-C3 alkyl)-(C1-C6 alkylene)-(C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl) (e.g.,




embedded image


—C(O)—(C1-C12 alkylamino (e.g., mono- or di-alkylamino)), and —C(O)—(C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl) (e.g.,




embedded image


wherein the C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl moiety of any of the preceding substituents is optionally substituted with C1-C3 alkyl or C1-C3 hydroxyalkyl. In some embodiments of the terminating group of XBranch, each terminating group is independently C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkylthiol, wherein the alkyl moiety is optionally substituted with one substituent —OH. In some embodiments of the terminating group of XBranch, each terminating group is independently C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkylthiol, wherein the alkyl moiety is optionally substituted with one substituent selected from C1-C12 (e.g., C1-C8) alkylamino (e.g., C1-C6 mono-alkylamino (such as —NHCH2CH2CH2CH3) or C1-C8 di-alkylamino (such as




embedded image


and C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl (e.g., N-pyrrolidinyl




embedded image


N-piperidinyl



embedded image


N-azepanyl



embedded image


In some embodiments of the terminating group of XBranch, each terminating group is independently C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkenylthiol or C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkylthiol. In some embodiments of the terminating group of XBranch, each terminating group is independently C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkylthiol.


In some embodiments of the terminating group of XBranch, each terminating group is independently a structural set forth in Table 3. In some embodiments, the dendrimers or dendrons described herein can comprise a terminating group or pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or thereof selected in Table 3. In some embodiments, the example terminating group of Table 3 are not limiting of the stereoisomers (i.e., enantiomers, diastereomers) listed.









TABLE 3







Example terminating group/peripheries structures








ID #
Structure





SC1


embedded image







SC2


embedded image







SC3


embedded image







SC4


embedded image







SC5


embedded image







SC6


embedded image







SC7


embedded image







SC8


embedded image







SC9


embedded image







 SC10


embedded image







 SC11


embedded image







 SC12


embedded image







 SC14


embedded image







 SC16


embedded image







 SC18


embedded image







 SC19


embedded image







SO1


embedded image







SO2


embedded image







SO3


embedded image







SO4


embedded image







SO5


embedded image







SO6


embedded image







SO7


embedded image







SO8


embedded image







SO9


embedded image







SN1


embedded image







SN2


embedded image







SN3


embedded image







SN4


embedded image







SN5


embedded image







SN6


embedded image







SN7


embedded image







SN8


embedded image







SN9


embedded image







 SN10


embedded image







 SN11


embedded image











In some embodiments, the dendrimer or dendron of Formula (X) is selected from those set forth in Table 4 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.









TABLE 4







Example ionizable cationic lipo-dendrimers or lipo-dendrons








ID #
Structure





2A2-SC14


embedded image







2A6-SC14


embedded image







2A9-SC14


embedded image







3A3-SC10


embedded image







3A3-SC14


embedded image







3A5-SC10


embedded image







3A5-SC14


embedded image







4A1-SC12


embedded image







4A3-SC12


embedded image







5A1-SC12


embedded image







5A1-SC8


embedded image







5A2-2-SC12 (5-arm)


embedded image







5A3-1-SC12 (5 arm)


embedded image







5A3-1-SC8 (5-arm)


embedded image







5A4-1-SC12 (5-arm)


embedded image







5A4-1-SC8 (5-arm)


embedded image







5A5-SC8


embedded image







5A5-SC12


embedded image







5A2-4-SC12 (6-arm)


embedded image







5A2-4-SC10 (6-arm)


embedded image







5A3-2-SC8 (6-arm)


embedded image







5A3-2-SC12 (6-arm)


embedded image







5A4-2-SC8 (6-arm)


embedded image







5A4-2-SC12 (6-arm)


embedded image







6A4-SC8


embedded image







6A4-SC12


embedded image







2A2-g2-SC12


embedded image







2A2-g2-SC8


embedded image







2A11-g2-SC12


embedded image







2A11-g2-SC8


embedded image







3A3-g2-SC12


embedded image







3A3-g2-SC8


embedded image







3A5-g2-SC12


embedded image







2A11-g3-SC12


embedded image







2A11-g3-SC8


embedded image







1A2-g4-SC12


embedded image







4A1-g2-SC12


embedded image







1A2-g4-SC8


embedded image







4A1-g2-SC8


embedded image







4A3-g2-SC12


embedded image







4A3-g2-SC8


embedded image







1A2-g3-SC12


embedded image







1A2-g3-SC8


embedded image







2A2-g3-SC12


embedded image







2A2-g3-SC8


embedded image







5A2-4-SC8 (6-arm)


embedded image







5A-5-SC8 (6 arm)


embedded image







5A2-6-SC8 (6 arm)


embedded image







5A2-1-SC8 (5-arm)


embedded image







5A2-2-SC8


embedded image







4A1-SC5


embedded image







4A1-SC8


embedded image







4A3-SC6


embedded image







4A3-SC7


embedded image







4A3-SC8


embedded image







5A4-2-SC5 (6 arm)


embedded image







5A4-2-SC6 (6 arm)


embedded image







5A2-4-SC8 (5-arm)


embedded image







3A5-g2-SC8


embedded image











Other Ionizable Cationic Lipids

In some embodiments of the lipid composition, the cationic lipid comprises a structural formula (D-I′):




embedded image


wherein:

    • a is 1 and b is 2, 3, or 4; or, alternatively, b is 1 and a is 2, 3, or 4;
    • m is 1 and n is 1; or, alternatively, m is 2 and n is 0; or, alternatively, m is 2 and n is 1; and
    • R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, —CH2CH(OH)R7, —CH(R7)CH2OH, —CH2CH2C(═O)OR7, —CH2CH2C(═O)NHR7, and —CH2R7, wherein R7 is independently selected from C3-C18 alkyl, C3-C18 alkenyl having one C═C double bond, a protecting group for an amino group, —C(═NH)NH2, a poly(ethylene glycol) chain, and a receptor ligand;
    • provided that at least two moieties among R1 to R6 are independently selected from —CH2CH(OH)R7, —CH(R7)CH2OH, —CH2CH2C(═O)OR7, —CH2CH2C(═O)NHR7, or —CH2R7, wherein R7 is independently selected from C3-C18 alkyl or C3-C18 alkenyl having one C═C double bond; and
    • wherein one or more of the nitrogen atoms indicated in formula (D-I′) may be protonated to provide a cationic lipid.


In some embodiments of the cationic lipid of formula (D-I′), a is 1. In some embodiments of the cationic lipid of formula (D-I′), b is 2. In some embodiments of the cationic lipid of formula (D-I′), m is 1. In some embodiments of the cationic lipid of formula (D-I′), n is 1. In some embodiments of the cationic lipid of formula (D-I′), R1, R2, R3, R4, R, and R6 are each independently H or —CH2CH(OH)R7. In some embodiments of the cationic lipid of formula (D-I′), R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are each independently H or




embedded image


In some embodiments of the cationic lipid of formula (D-I′), R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are each independently H or




embedded image


In some embodiments of the cationic lipid of formula (D-I′), R7 is C3-C18 alkyl (e.g., C6-C12 alkyl).


In some embodiments, the cationic lipid of formula (D-I′) is 13,16,20-tris(2-hydroxydodecyl)-13,16,20,23-tetraazapentatricontane-11,25-diol:




embedded image


In some embodiments, the cationic lipid of formula (D-I′) is (11R,25R)-13,16,20-tris((R)-2-hydroxydodecyl)-13,16,20,23-tetraazapentatricontane-11,25-diol:




embedded image


Additional cationic lipids that can be used in the compositions and methods of the present application include those cationic lipids as described in J. McClellan, M. C. King, Cell 2010, 141, 210-217, and International Patent Publication WO 2010/144740, WO 2013/149140, WO 2016/118725, WO 2016/118724, WO 2013/063468, WO 2016/205691, WO 2015/184256, WO 2016/004202, WO 2015/199952, WO 2017/004143, WO 2017/075531, WO 2017/117528, WO 2017/049245, WO 2017/173054 and WO 2015/095340, which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Examples of those ionizable cationic lipids include but are not limited to those as shown in Table 5.









TABLE 5







Example ionizable cationic lipids








#
Structure of example ionizable cationic lipid





 1


embedded image







 2


embedded image







 3


embedded image







 4


embedded image







 5


embedded image







 6


embedded image







 7


embedded image







 8


embedded image







 9


embedded image







10


embedded image







11


embedded image







12


embedded image







13


embedded image







14


embedded image







15


embedded image







16


embedded image







17


embedded image







18


embedded image







19


embedded image







20


embedded image







21


embedded image







22


embedded image







23


embedded image







24


embedded image







25


embedded image







26


embedded image







27


embedded image







28


embedded image







29


embedded image







30


embedded image







31


embedded image







32


embedded image







33


embedded image







34


embedded image







35


embedded image







36


embedded image







37


embedded image







38


embedded image







39


embedded image







40


embedded image







41


embedded image







42


embedded image







43


embedded image







44


embedded image







45


embedded image







46


embedded image







47


embedded image







48


embedded image







49


embedded image







50


embedded image







51


embedded image







52


embedded image







53


embedded image







54


embedded image







55


embedded image







56


embedded image







57


embedded image







58


embedded image







59


embedded image







60


embedded image







61


embedded image







62


embedded image







63


embedded image







64


embedded image







65


embedded image







66


embedded image







67


embedded image







68


embedded image







69


embedded image







70


embedded image







71


embedded image







72


embedded image







73


embedded image







74


embedded image







75


embedded image







76


embedded image









text missing or illegible when filed








In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the ionizable cationic lipid is present in an amount from about from about 20 to about 23. In some embodiments, the molar percentage is from about 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5, to about 23 or any range derivable therein. In other embodiments, the molar percentage is from about 7.5 to about 20. In some embodiments, the molar percentage is from about 7.5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, to about 20 or any range derivable therein.


In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the ionizable cationic lipid at a molar percentage from about 5% to about 30%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the ionizable cationic lipid at a molar percentage from about 10% to about 25%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the ionizable cationic lipid at a molar percentage from about 15% to about 20%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the ionizable cationic lipid at a molar percentage from about 10% to about 20%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the ionizable cationic lipid at a molar percentage from about 20% to about 30%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the ionizable cationic lipid at a molar percentage of at least (about) 5%, at least (about) 10%, at least (about) 15%, at least (about) 20%, at least (about) 25%, or at least (about) 30%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the ionizable cationic lipid at a molar percentage of at most (about) 5%, at most (about) 10%, at most (about) 15%, at most (about) 20%, at most (about) 25%, or at most (about) 30%.


Selective Organ Targeting (SORT) Lipids

In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid (e.g., nanoparticle) composition is preferentially delivered to a target organ. In some embodiments, the target organ is a lung, a lung tissue or a lung cell. As used herein, the term “preferentially delivered” is used to refer to a composition, upon being delivered, which is delivered to the target organ (e.g., lung), tissue, or cell in at least 25% (e.g., at least 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, or 75%) of the amount administered.


In some embodiments of the lipid composition, the lipid composition comprises one or more selective organ targeting (SORT) lipid which leads to the selective delivery of the composition to a particular organ. In some embodiments, the SORT lipid may have two or more alkyl or alkenyl chains of C6-C24.


In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid comprises permanently positively charged moiety. The permanently positively charged moiety may be positively charged at a physiological pH such that the SORT lipid comprises a positive charge upon delivery of a polynucleotide to a cell. In some embodiments the positively charged moiety is quaternary amine or quaternary ammonium ion. In some embodiments, the SORT lipid comprises, or is otherwise complexed to or interacting with, a counterion.


In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid is a permanently cationic lipid (i.e., comprising one or more hydrophobic components and a permanently cationic group). The permanently cationic lipid may contain a group which has a positive charge regardless of the pH. One permanently cationic group that may be used in the permanently cationic lipid is a quaternary ammonium group. The permanently cationic lipid may comprise a structural formula:




embedded image


wherein:

    • Y1, Y2, or Y3 are each independently X1C(O)R1 or X2N+R3R4R5;
    • provided at least one of Y1, Y2, and Y3 is X2N+R3R4R5;
    • R1 is C1-C24 alkyl, C1-C24 substituted alkyl, C1-C24 alkenyl, C1-C24 substituted alkenyl;
    • X1 is O or NRa, wherein Ra is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, or C1-C4 substituted alkyl;
    • X2 is C1-C6 alkanediyl or C1-C6 substituted alkanediyl;
    • R3, R4, and R5 are each independently C1-C24 alkyl, C1-C24 substituted alkyl, C1-C24 alkenyl, C1-C24 substituted alkenyl; and
    • A1 is an anion with a charge equal to the number of X2N+R3R4R5 groups in the compound.


In some embodiments of the SORT lipids, the permanently cationic SORT lipid has a structural formula:




embedded image


wherein:

    • R6-R9 are each independently C1-C24 alkyl, C1-C24 substituted alkyl, C1-C24 alkenyl, C1-C24 substituted alkenyl; provided at least one of R6-R9 is a group of C8-C24; and
    • A2 is a monovalent anion.


In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid is ionizable cationic lipid (i.e., comprising one or more hydrophobic components and an ionizable cationic group). The ionizable positively charged moiety may be positively charged at a physiological pH. One ionizable cationic group that may be used in the ionizable cationic lipid is a tertiary ammine group. In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid has a structural formula:




embedded image


wherein:

    • R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl(C8-C24), alkenyl(C8-C24), or a substituted version of either group; and
    • R3 and R3′ are each independently alkyl(C≤6) or substituted alkyl(C≤6).


In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid comprises a head group of a particular structure. In some embodiments, the SORT lipid comprises a headgroup having a structural formula:




embedded image


wherein L is a linker; Z+ is positively charged moiety and X is a counterion. In some embodiment, the linker is a biodegradable linker. The biodegradable linker may be degradable under physiological pH and temperature. The biodegradable linker may be degraded by proteins or enzymes from a subject. In some embodiments, the positively charged moiety is a quaternary ammonium ion or quaternary amine.


In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid has a structural formula:




embedded image


wherein R1 and R2 are each independently an optionally substituted C6-C24 alkyl, or an optionally substituted C6-C24 alkenyl.


In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid has a structural formula:




embedded image


In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid comprises a Linker (L). In some embodiments, L is




embedded image


wherein:

    • p and q are each independently 1, 2, or 3; and
    • R4 is an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl


In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid has a structural formula:




embedded image


wherein:

    • R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl(C8-C24), alkenyl(C8-C24), or a substituted version of either group;
    • R3, R3′, and R3″ are each independently alkyl(C≤6) or substituted alkyl(C≤6);
    • R4 is alkyl(C≤6) or substituted alkyl(C≤6); and
    • X is a monovalent anion.


In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid is a phosphatidylcholine (e.g., 14:0 EPC). In some embodiments, the phosphatidylcholine compound is further defined as:




embedded image


wherein:

    • R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl(C8-C24), alkenyl(C8-C24), or a substituted version of either group;
    • R3, R3′, and R3″ are each independently alkyl(C≤6) or substituted alkyl(C≤6); and
    • X is a monovalent anion.


In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid is a phosphocholine lipid. In some embodiments, the SORT lipid is an ethylphosphocholine. The ethylphosphocholine may be, by way of example, without being limited to, 1,2-dimyristoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine, 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine, 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine, 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine, 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine, 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine.


In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid has a structural formula:




embedded image


wherein:

    • R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl(C8-C24), alkenyl(C8-C24), or a substituted version of either group;
    • R3, R3′, and R3″ are each independently alkyl(C≤6) or substituted alkyl(C≤6);
    • X is a monovalent anion.


By way of example, and without being limited thereto, a SORT lipid of the structural formula of the immediately preceding paragraph is 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (18:1 DOTAP) (e.g., chloride salt).


In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid has a structural formula:




embedded image


wherein:

    • R4 and R4′ are each independently alkyl(C6-C24), alkenyl(C6-C24), or a substituted version of either group;
    • R4″ is alkyl(C≤24), alkenyl(C≤24), or a substituted version of either group;
    • R4′″ is alkyl(C1-C8), alkenyl(C2-C8), or a substituted version of either group; and
    • X2 is a monovalent anion.


By way of example, and without being limited thereto, a SORT lipid of the structural formula of the immediately preceding paragraph is dimethyldioctadecylammonium (DDAB) (e.g., bromide salt).


In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid has a structural formula:




embedded image


wherein:

    • R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl(C8-C24), alkenyl(C8-C24), or a substituted version of either group;
    • R3, R3′, and R3″ are each independently alkyl(C≤6) or substituted alkyl(C≤6); and
    • X is a monovalent anion.


In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid is an anionic lipid. In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid has a structural formula:




embedded image


wherein:

    • R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl(C8-C24), alkenyl(C8-C24), or a substituted version of either group;
    • R3 is hydrogen, alkyl(C≤6), or substituted alkyl(C≤6), or —Y1—R4, wherein:
      • Y1 is alkanediyl(C≤6) or substituted alkanediyl(C≤6); and
    • R4 is acyloxy(C≤8-24) or substituted acyloxy(C≤8-24).


In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the SORT lipid comprises one or more selected from the lipids set forth in Table 6.









TABLE 6







Example SORT lipids








Lipid Name
Structure





1,2-Dioleoyl-3- dimethylammonium-propane (18:1 DODAP)


embedded image







1,2-dimyristoyl-3- trimethylammonium-propane (14:0 TAP) (e.g., chloride salt)


embedded image







1,2-dipalmitoyl-3- trimethylammonium-propane (16:0 TAP) (e.g., chloride salt)


embedded image







1,2-stearoyl-3- trimethylammonium-propane (18:0 TAP) (e.g., chloride salt)


embedded image







1,2-Dioleoyl-3- trimethylammonium-propane (18:1 DOTAP) (e.g., chloride salt)


embedded image







1,2-Di-O-octadeceny1-3- trimethylammonium propane (DOTMA) (e.g., chloride salt)


embedded image







Dimethyldioctadecylammonium (DDAB) (e.g., bromide salt)


embedded image







1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3- ethylphosphocholine (12:0 EPC) (e.g., chloride salt)


embedded image







1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3- ethylphosphocholine (14:0 EPC) (e.g., chloride salt)


embedded image







1,2-dimyristoleoyl-sn-glycero- 3-ethylphosphocholine (14:1 EPC) (e.g., triflate salt)


embedded image







1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3- ethylphosphocholine (16:0 EPC) (e.g., chloride salt)


embedded image







1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3- ethylphosphocholine (18:0 EPC) (e.g., chloride salt)


embedded image







1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3- ethylphosphocholine (18:1 EPC) (e.g., chloride salt)


embedded image







1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn- glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine (16:0-18:1 EPC) (e.g., chloride salt)


embedded image







1,2-di-O-octadeceny1-3- trimethylammonium propane (18:1 DOTMA) (e.g., chloride salt)


embedded image







1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphate (18.1 PA)


embedded image







X is a counterion (e.g., Cl, Br, etc.)






In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the SORT lipid at a molar percentage from about 20% to about 65%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the SORT lipid at a molar percentage from about 25% to about 60%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the SORT lipid at a molar percentage from about 30% to about 55%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the SORT lipid at a molar percentage from about 20% to about 50%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the SORT lipid at a molar percentage from about 30% to about 60%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the SORT lipid at a molar percentage from about 25% to about 60%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the SORT lipid at a molar percentage of at least (about) 25%, at least (about) 30%, at least (about) 35%, at least (about) 40%, at least (about) 45%, at least (about) 50%, at least (about) 55%, at least (about) 60%, or at least (about) 65%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the SORT lipid at a molar percentage of at most (about) 25%, at most (about) 30%, at most (about) 35%, at most (about) 40%, at least (about) 45%, at most (about) 50%, at most (about) 55%, at most (about) 60%, or at most (about) 65%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the SORT lipid at a molar percentage of about 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, or 65%, or of a range between (inclusive) any two of the foregoing values.


Additional Lipids

In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition further comprises an additional lipid including but not limited to a steroid or a steroid derivative, a PEG lipid, and a phospholipid.


Phospholipids or Other Zwitterionic Lipids

In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition further comprises a phospholipid. In some embodiments, the phospholipid may contain one or two long chain (e.g., C6-C24) alkyl or alkenyl groups, a glycerol or a sphingosine, one or two phosphate groups, and, optionally, a small organic molecule. The small organic molecule may be an amino acid, a sugar, or an amino substituted alkoxy group, such as choline or ethanolamine. In some embodiments, the phospholipid is a phosphatidylcholine. In some embodiments, the phospholipid is distearoylphosphatidylcholine or dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine. In some embodiments, other zwitterionic lipids are used, where zwitterionic lipid defines lipid and lipid-like molecules with both a positive charge and a negative charge.


In some embodiments of the lipid compositions, the phospholipid is not an ethylphosphocholine.


In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the compositions may further comprise a molar percentage of the phospholipid to the total lipid composition from about 20 to about 23. In some embodiments, the molar percentage is from about 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5, to about 23 or any range derivable therein. In other embodiments, the molar percentage is from about 7.5 to about 60. In some embodiments, the molar percentage is from about 7.5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, to about 20 or any range derivable therein.


In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the phospholipid at a molar percentage from about 8% to about 23%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the phospholipid at a molar percentage from about 10% to about 20%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the phospholipid at a molar percentage from about 15% to about 20%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the phospholipid at a molar percentage from about 8% to about 15%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the phospholipid at a molar percentage from about 10% to about 15%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the phospholipid at a molar percentage from about 12% to about 18%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the phospholipid at a molar percentage of at least (about) 8%, at least (about) 10%, at least (about) 12%, at least (about) 15%, at least (about) 18%, at least (about) 20%, or at least (about) 23%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the phospholipid at a molar percentage of at most (about) 8%, at most (about) 10%, at most (about) 12%, at most (about) 15%, at most (about) 18%, at most (about) 20%, or at most (about) 23%.


Steroids or Steroid Derivatives

In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition further comprises a steroid or steroid derivative. In some embodiments, the steroid or steroid derivative comprises any steroid or steroid derivative. As used herein, in some embodiments, the term “steroid” is a class of compounds with a four ring 17 carbon cyclic structure which can further comprises one or more substitutions including alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, hydroxy groups, oxo groups, acyl groups, or a double bond between two or more carbon atoms. In one aspect, the ring structure of a steroid comprises three fused cyclohexyl rings and a fused cyclopentyl ring as shown in the formula:




embedded image


In some embodiments, a steroid derivative comprises the ring structure above with one or more non-alkyl substitutions. In some embodiments, the steroid or steroid derivative is a sterol wherein the formula is further defined as:




embedded image


In some embodiments of the present application, the steroid or steroid derivative is a cholestane or cholestane derivative. In a cholestane, the ring structure is further defined by the formula:




embedded image


As described above, a cholestane derivative includes one or more non-alkyl substitution of the above ring system. In some embodiments, the cholestane or cholestane derivative is a cholestene or cholestene derivative or a sterol or a sterol derivative. In other embodiments, the cholestane or cholestane derivative is both a cholestere and a sterol or a derivative thereof.


In some embodiments of the lipid composition, the compositions may further comprise a molar percentage of the steroid to the total lipid composition from about 40 to about 46. In some embodiments, the molar percentage is from about 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, to about 46 or any range derivable therein. In other embodiments, the molar percentage of the steroid relative to the total lipid composition is from about 15 to about 40. In some embodiments, the molar percentage is 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, or 40, or any range derivable therein.


In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the steroid or steroid derivative at a molar percentage from about 15% to about 46%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the steroid or steroid derivative at a molar percentage from about 20% to about 40%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the steroid or steroid derivative at a molar percentage from about 25% to about 35%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the steroid or steroid derivative at a molar percentage from about 30% to about 40%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the steroid or steroid derivative at a molar percentage from about 20% to about 30%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the steroid or steroid derivative at a molar percentage of at least (about) 15%, of at least (about) 20%, of at least (about) 25%, of at least (about) 30%, of at least (about) 35%, of at least (about) 40%, of at least (about) 45%, or of at least (about) 46%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the steroid or steroid derivative at a molar percentage of at most (about) 15%, of at most (about) 20%, of at most (about) 25%, of at most (about) 30%, of at most (about) 35%, of at most (about) 40%, of at most (about) 45%, or of at most (about) 46%.


Polymer-Conjugated Lipids

In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition further comprises a polymer conjugated lipid. In some embodiments, the polymer conjugated lipid is a PEG lipid. In some embodiments, the PEG lipid is a diglyceride which also comprises a PEG chain attached to the glycerol group. In other embodiments, the PEG lipid is a compound which contains one or more C6-C24 long chain alkyl or alkenyl group or a C6-C24 fatty acid group attached to a linker group with a PEG chain. Some non-limiting examples of a PEG lipid includes a PEG modified phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidic acid, a PEG ceramide conjugated, PEG modified dialkylamines and PEG modified 1,2-diacyloxypropan-3-amines, PEG modified diacylglycerols and dialkylglycerols. In some embodiments, PEG modified diastearoylphosphatidylethanolamine or PEG modified dimyristoyl-sn-glycerol. In some embodiments, the PEG modification is measured by the molecular weight of PEG component of the lipid. In some embodiments, the PEG modification has a molecular weight from about 100 to about 15,000. In some embodiments, the molecular weight is from about 200 to about 500, from about 400 to about 5,000, from about 500 to about 3,000, or from about 1,200 to about 3,000. The molecular weight of the PEG modification is from about 100, 200, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1,000, 1,250, 1,500, 1,750, 2,000, 2,250, 2,500, 2,750, 3,000, 3,500, 4,000, 4,500, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 12,500, to about 15,000. Some non-limiting examples of lipids that may be used in the present application are taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,873, WO 2010/141069, or U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,298, which is incorporated herein by reference.


In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the PEG lipid has a structural formula:




embedded image


wherein: R12 and R13 are each independently alkyl(C≤24), alkenyl(C≤24), or a substituted version of either of these groups; Re is hydrogen, alkyl(C≤8), or substituted alkyl(C≤8); and x is 1-250. In some embodiments, Re is alkyl(C≤18) such as methyl. R12 and R13 are each independently alkyl(C≤4-20). In some embodiments, x is 5-250. In one embodiment, x is 5-125 or x is 100-250. In some embodiments, the PEG lipid is 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycerol, methoxypolyethylene glycol.


In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the PEG lipid has a structural formula:




embedded image


wherein: n1 is an integer between 1 and 100 and n2 and n3 are each independently selected from an integer between 1 and 29. In some embodiments, n1 is 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100, or any range derivable therein. In some embodiments, n1 is from about 30 to about 50. In some embodiments, n2 is from 5 to 23. In some embodiments, n2 is 11 to about 17. In some embodiments, n3 is from 5 to 23. In some embodiments, n3 is 11 to about 17.


In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the compositions may further comprise a molar percentage of the PEG lipid to the total lipid composition from about 4.0 to about 4.6. In some embodiments, the molar percentage is from about 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, to about 4.6 or any range derivable therein. In other embodiments, the molar percentage is from about 1.5 to about 4.0. In some embodiments, the molar percentage is from about 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, to about 4.0 or any range derivable therein.


In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the polymer-conjugated lipid at a molar percentage from about 0.5% to about 10%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the polymer-conjugated lipid at a molar percentage from about 1% to about 8%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the polymer-conjugated lipid at a molar percentage from about 2% to about 7%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the polymer-conjugated lipid at a molar percentage from about 3% to about 5%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the polymer-conjugated lipid at a molar percentage from about 5% to about 10%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the polymer-conjugated lipid at a molar percentage of at least (about) 0.5%, at least (about) 1%, at least (about) 1.5%, at least (about) 2%, at least (about) 2.5%, at least (about) 3%, at least (about) 3.5%, at least (about) 4%, at least (about) 4.5%, at least (about) 5%, at least (about) 5.5%, at least (about) 6%, at least (about) 6.5%, at least (about) 7%, at least (about) 7.5%, at least (about) 8%, at least (about) 8.5%, at least (about) 9%, at least (about) 9.5%, or at least (about) 10%. In some embodiments of the lipid composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises the polymer-conjugated lipid at a molar percentage of at most (about) 0.5%, at most (about) 1%, at most (about) 1.5%, at most (about) 2%, at most (about) 2.5%, at most (about) 3%, at most (about) 3.5%, at most (about) 4%, at most (about) 4.5%, at most (about) 5%, at most (about) 5.5%, at most (about) 6%, at most (about) 6.5%, at most (about) 7%, at most (about) 7.5%, at most (about) 8%, at most (about) 8.5%, at most (about) 9%, at most (about) 9.5%, or at most (about) 10%.


Pharmaceutical Compositions
Therapeutic or Prophylactic Agents

In another aspect, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) assembled with a lipid composition as described herein.


In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) comprises a compound, a polynucleotide, a polypeptide, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the compound, the polynucleotide, the polypeptide, or a combination thereof is exogenous or heterologous to the cell or the subject being treated by the pharmaceutical compositions described herein. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) comprises a compound described herein. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) comprises a polynucleotide described herein. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) comprises a polypeptide described herein. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) comprises a compound, a polynucleotide, a polypeptide, or a combination thereof.


In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) for treating a lung disease such as asthma, COPD, or lung cancer. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) comprises a steroid such as prednisone, hydrocortisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, or dexamethasone. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) comprises Abraxane, Afatinib Dimaleate, Afinitor, Afinitor Disperz, Alecensa, Alectinib, Alimta, Alunbrig, Atezolizumab, Avastin, Bevacizumab, Brigatinib, Capmatinib Hydrochloride, Carboplatin, Ceritinib, Crizotinib, Cyramza, Dabrafenib Mesylate, Dacomitinib, Docetaxel, Doxorubicin Hydrochloride, Durvalumab, Entrectinib, Erlotinib Hydrochloride, Everolimus, Gavreto, Gefitinib, Gilotrif, Gemcitabine, Ipilimumab, Iressa, Keytruda, Lorbrena, Mekinist, Methotrexate Sodium, Necitumumab, Nivolumab, Osimertinib Mesylate, Paclitaxel, Pembrolizumab, Pemetrexed Disodium, Pralsetinib, Ramucirumab, Retevmo, Selpercatinib, Tabrecta, Tafinlar, Tagrisso, Trametinib Dimethyl Sulfoxide, Vizimpro, Vinorelbine Tartrate, Xalkori, Yervoy, Zirabev, Zykadia, Carboplatin, Gemcitabine-cisplatin, Afinitor, Atezolizumab, Durvalumab, Etopophos, Etoposide, Hycamtin, Imfinzi, Keytruda, Lurbinectedin, Methotrexate Sodium, Nivolumab, Opdivo, Pembrolizumab, Tecentriq, Topotecan Hydrochloride, Trexall, or Zepzelca. Other non-limiting examples of the therapeutic agents (or prophylactic agents) comprising compounds include small molecule selected from 7-Methoxypteridine, 7 Methylpteridine, abacavir, abafungin, abarelix, acebutolol, acenaphthene, acetaminophen, acetanilide, acetazolamide, acetohexamide, acetretin, acrivastine, adenine, adenosine, alatrofloxacin, albendazole, albuterol, alclofenac, aldesleukin, alemtuzumab, alfuzosin, alitretinoin, allobarbital, allopurinol, all-transretinoic acid (ATRA), aloxiprin, alprazolam, alprenolol, altretamine, amifostine, amiloride, aminoglutethimide, aminopyrine, amiodarone HCl, amitriptyline, amlodipine, amobarbital, amodiaquine, amoxapine, amphetamine, amphotericin, amphotericin B, ampicillin, amprenavir, amsacrine, amylnitrate, amylobarbitone, anastrozole, anrinone, anthracene, anthracyclines, aprobarbital, arsenic trioxide, asparaginase, aspirin, astemizole, atenolol, atorvastatin, atovaquone, atrazine, atropine, atropine azathioprine, auranofin, azacitidine, azapropazone, azathioprine, azintamide, azithromycin, aztreonum, baclofen, barbitone, BCG live, beclamide, beclomethasone, bendroflumethiazide, benezepril, benidipine, benorylate, benperidol, bentazepam, benzamide, benzanthracene, benzathine penicillin, benzhexol HCl, benznidazole, benzodiazepines, benzoic acid, bephenium hydroxynaphthoate, betamethasone, bevacizumab (avastin), bexarotene, bezafibrate, bicalutamide, bifonazole, biperiden, bisacodyl, bisantrene, bleomycin, bleomycin, bortezomib, brinzolamide, bromazepam, bromocriptine mesylate, bromperidol, brotizolam, budesonide, bumetanide, bupropion, busulfan, butalbital, butamben, butenafine HCl, butobarbitone, butobarbitone (butethal), butoconazole, butoconazole nitrate, butylparaben, caffeine, calcifediol, calciprotriene, calcitriol, calusterone, cambendazole, camphor, camptothecin, camptothecin analogs, candesartan, capecitabine, capsaicin, captopril, carbamazepine, carbimazole, carbofuran, carboplatin, carbromal, carimazole, carmustine, cefamandole, cefazolin, cefixime, ceftazidime, cefuroxime axetil, celecoxib, cephradine, cerivastatin, cetrizine, cetuximab, chlorambucil, chloramphenicol, chlordiazepoxide, chlormethiazole, chloroquine, chlorothiazide, chlorpheniramine, chlorproguanil HCl, chlorpromazine, chlorpropamide, chlorprothixene, chlorpyrifos, chlortetracycline, chlorthalidone, chlorzoxazone, cholecalciferol, chrysene, cilostazol, cimetidine, cinnarizine, cinoxacin, ciprofibrate, ciprofloxacin HCl, cisapride, cisplatin, citalopram, cladribine, clarithromycin, clemastine fumarate, clioquinol, clobazam, clofarabine, clofazimine, clofibrate, clomiphene citrate, clomipramine, clonazepam, clopidogrel, clotiazepam, clotrimazole, clotrimazole, cloxacillin, clozapine, cocaine, codeine, colchicine, colistin, conjugated estrogens, corticosterone, cortisone, cortisone acetate, cyclizine, cyclobarbital, cyclobenzaprine, cyclobutane-spirobarbiturate, cycloethane-spirobarbiturate, cycloheptane-spirobarbiturate, cyclohexane-spirobarbiturate, cyclopentane-spirobarbiturate, cyclophosphamide, cyclopropane-spirobarbiturate, cycloserine, cyclosporin, cyproheptadine, cytarabine, cytosine, dacarbazine, dactinomycin, danazol, danthron, dantrolene sodium, dapsone, darbepoetin alfa, darodipine, daunorubicin, decoquinate, dehydroepiandrosterone, delavirdine, demeclocycline, denileukin, deoxycorticosterone, desoxymethasone, dexamethasone, dexamphetamine, dexchlorpheniramine, dexfenfluramine, dexrazoxane, dextropropoxyphene, diamorphine, diatrizoicacid, diazepam, diazoxide, dichlorophen, dichlorprop, diclofenac, dicumarol, didanosine, diflunisal, digitoxin, digoxin, dihydrocodeine, dihydroequilin, dihydroergotamine mesylate, diiodohydroxyquinoline, diltiazem HCl, diloxamide furoate, dimenhydrinate, dimorpholamine, dinitolmide, diosgenin, diphenoxylate HCl, diphenyl, dipyridamole, dirithromycin, disopyramide, disulfiram, diuron, docetaxel, domperidone, donepezil, doxazosin, doxazosin HCl, doxorubicin, doxycycline, dromostanolone propionate, droperidol, dyphylline, echinocandins, econazole, econazole nitrate, efavirenz, ellipticine, enalapril, enlimomab, enoximone, epinephrine, epipodophyllotoxin derivatives, epirubicin, epoetinalfa, eposartan, equilenin, equilin, ergocalciferol, ergotamine tartrate, erlotinib, erythromycin, estradiol, estramustine, estriol, estrone, ethacrynic acid, ethambutol, ethinamate, ethionamide, ethopropazine HCl, ethyl-4-aminobenzoate (benzocaine), ethylparaben, ethinylestradiol, etodolac, etomidate, etoposide, etretinate, exemestane, felbamate, felodipine, fenbendazole, fenbuconazole, fenbufen, fenchlorphos, fenclofenac, fenfluramine, fenofibrate, fenoldepam, fenoprofen calcium, fenoxycarb, fenpiclonil, fentanyl, fenticonazole, fexofenadine, filgrastim, finasteride, flecamide acetate, floxuridine, fludarabine, fluconazole, fluconazole, flucytosine, fludioxonil, fludrocortisone, fludrocortisone acetate, flufenamic acid, flunanisone, flunarizine HCl, flunisolide, flunitrazepam, fluocortolone, fluometuron, fluorene, fluorouracil, fluoxetine HCl, fluoxymesterone, flupenthixol decanoate, fluphenthixol decanoate, flurazepam, flurbiprofen, fluticasone propionate, fluvastatin, folic acid, fosenopril, fosphenytoin sodium, frovatriptan, furosemide, fulvestrant, furazolidone, gabapentin, G-BHC (Lindane), gefitinib, gemcitabine, gemfibrozil, gemtuzumab, glafenine, glibenclamide, gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide, glutethimide, glyburide, Glyceryltrinitrate (nitroglycerin), goserelin acetate, grepafloxacin, griseofulvin, guaifenesin, guanabenz acetate, guanine, halofantrine HCl, haloperidol, hydrochlorothiazide, heptabarbital, heroin, hesperetin, hexachlorobenzene, hexethal, histrelin acetate, hydrocortisone, hydroflumethiazide, hydroxyurea, hyoscyamine, hypoxanthine, ibritumomab, ibuprofen, idarubicin, idobutal, ifosfamide, ihydroequilenin, imatinib mesylate, imipenem, indapamide, indinavir, indomethacin, indoprofen, interferon alfa-2a, interferon alfa-2b, iodamide, iopanoic acid, iprodione, irbesartan, irinotecan, isavuconazole, isocarboxazid, isoconazole, isoguanine, isoniazid, isopropylbarbiturate, isoproturon, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, isradipine, itraconazole, itraconazole, itraconazole (Itra), ivermectin, ketoconazole, ketoprofen, ketorolac, khellin, labetalol, lamivudine, lamotrigine, lanatoside C, lanosprazole, L-DOPA, leflunomide, lenalidomide, letrozole, leucovorin, leuprolide acetate, levamisole, levofloxacin, lidocaine, linuron, lisinopril, lomefloxacin, lomustine, loperamide, loratadine, lorazepam, lorefloxacin, lormetazepam, losartan mesylate, lovastatin, lysuride maleate, Maprotiline HCl, mazindol, mebendazole, Meclizine HCl, meclofenamic acid, medazepam, medigoxin, medroxyprogesterone acetate, mefenamic acid, Mefloquine HCl, megestrol acetate, melphalan, mepenzolate bromide, meprobamate, meptazinol, mercaptopurine, mesalazine, mesna, mesoridazine, mestranol, methadone, methaqualone, methocarbamol, methoin, methotrexate, methoxsalen, methsuximide, methyclothiazide, methylphenidate, methylphenobarbitone, methyl-p-hydroxybenzoate, methylprednisolone, methyltestosterone, methyprylon, methysergide maleate, metoclopramide, metolazone, metoprolol, metronidazole, Mianserin HCl, miconazole, midazolam, mifepristone, miglitol, minocycline, minoxidil, mitomycin C, mitotane, mitoxantrone, mofetilmycophenolate, molindone, montelukast, morphine, Moxifloxacin HCl, nabumetone, nadolol, nalbuphine, nalidixic acid, nandrolone, naphthacene, naphthalene, naproxen, naratriptan HCl, natamycin, nelarabine, nelfinavir, nevirapine, nicardipine HCl, nicotin amide, nicotinic acid, nicoumalone, nifedipine, nilutamide, nimodipine, nimorazole, nisoldipine, nitrazepam, nitrofurantoin, nitrofurazone, nizatidine, nofetumomab, norethisterone, norfloxacin, norgestrel, nortriptyline HCl, nystatin, oestradiol, ofloxacin, olanzapine, omeprazole, omoconazole, ondansetron HCl, oprelvekin, ornidazole, oxaliplatin, oxamniquine, oxantelembonate, oxaprozin, oxatomide, oxazepam, oxcarbazepine, oxfendazole, oxiconazole, oxprenolol, oxyphenbutazone, oxyphencyclimine HCl, paclitaxel, palifermin, pamidronate, p-aminosalicylic acid, pantoprazole, paramethadione, paroxetine HCl, pegademase, pegaspargase, pegfilgrastim, pemetrexeddisodium, penicillamine, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, pentazocin, pentazocine, pentobarbital, pentobarbitone, pentostatin, pentoxifylline, perphenazine, perphenazine pimozide, perylene, phenacemide, phenacetin, phenanthrene, phenindione, phenobarbital, phenolbarbitone, phenolphthalein, phenoxybenzamine, phenoxybenzamine HCl, phenoxymethyl penicillin, phensuximide, phenylbutazone, phenytoin, pindolol, pioglitazone, pipobroman, piroxicam, pizotifen maleate, platinum compounds, plicamycin, polyenes, polymyxin B, porfimersodium, posaconazole (Posa), pramipexole, prasterone, pravastatin, praziquantel, prazosin, prazosin HCl, prednisolone, prednisone, primidone, probarbital, probenecid, probucol, procarbazine, prochlorperazine, progesterone, proguanil HCl, promethazine, propofol, propoxur, propranolol, propylparaben, propylthiouracil, prostaglandin, pseudoephedrine, pteridine-2-methyl-thiol, pteridine-2-thiol, pteridine-4-methyl-thiol, pteridine-4-thiol, pteridine-7-methyl-thiol, pteridine-7-thiol, pyrantelembonate, pyrazinamide, pyrene, pyridostigmine, pyrimethamine, quetiapine, quinacrine, quinapril, quinidine, quinidine sulfate, quinine, quininesulfate, rabeprazole sodium, ranitidine HCl, rasburicase, ravuconazole, repaglinide, reposal, reserpine, retinoids, rifabutine, rifampicin, rifapentine, rimexolone, risperidone, ritonavir, rituximab, rizatriptan benzoate, rofecoxib, ropinirole HCl, rosiglitazone, saccharin, salbutamol, salicylamide, salicylic acid, saquinavir, sargramostim, secbutabarbital, secobarbital, sertaconazole, sertindole, sertraline HCl, simvastatin, sirolimus, sorafenib, sparfloxacin, spiramycin, spironolactone, stanolone, stanozolol, stavudine, stilbestrol, streptozocin, strychnine, sulconazole, sulconazole nitrate, sulfacetamide, sulfadiazine, sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfanilamide, sulfathiazole, sulindac, sulphabenzamide, sulphacetamide, sulphadiazine, sulphadoxine, sulphafurazole, sulphamerazine, sulpha-methoxazole, sulphapyridine, sulphasalazine, sulphinpyrazone, sulpiride, sulthiame, sumatriptan succinate, sunitinib maleate, tacrine, tacrolimus, talbutal, tamoxifen citrate, tamulosin, targretin, taxanes, tazarotene, telmisartan, temazepam, temozolomide, teniposide, tenoxicam, terazosin, terazosin HCl, terbinafine HCl, terbutaline sulfate, terconazole, terfenadine, testolactone, testosterone, tetracycline, tetrahydrocannabinol, tetroxoprim, thalidomide, thebaine, theobromine, theophylline, thiabendazole, thiamphenicol, thioguanine, thioridazine, thiotepa, thotoin, thymine, tiagabine HCl, tibolone, ticlopidine, tinidazole, tioconazole, tirofiban, tizanidine HCl, tolazamide, tolbutamide, tolcapone, topiramate, topotecan, toremifene, tositumomab, tramadol, trastuzumab, trazodone HCl, tretinoin, triamcinolone, triamterene, triazolam, triazoles, triflupromazine, trimethoprim, trimipramine maleate, triphenylene, troglitazone, tromethamine, tropicamide, trovafloxacin, tybamate, ubidecarenone (coenzyme Q10), undecenoic acid, uracil, uracil mustard, uric acid, valproic acid, valrubicin, valsartan, vancomycin, venlafaxine HCl, vigabatrin, vinbarbital, vinblastine, vincristine, vinorelbine, voriconazole, xanthine, zafirlukast, zidovudine, zileuton, zoledronate, zoledronic acid, zolmitriptan, zolpidem, or zopiclone.


Polynucleotides

In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical compositions of the present application, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) assembled with the lipid composition comprises one or more polynucleotides. The present application is not limited in scope to any particular source, sequence, or type of polynucleotide; however, as one of ordinary skill in the art could readily identify related homologs in various other sources of the polynucleotide including nucleic acids from non-human species (e.g., mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, monkey, gibbon, chimp, ape, baboon, cow, pig, horse, sheep, cat and other species). It is contemplated that the polynucleotide used in the present application can comprises a sequence based upon a naturally-occurring sequence. Allowing for the degeneracy of the genetic code, sequences that have at least about 50%, usually at least about 60%, more usually about 70%, most usually about 80%, preferably at least about 90% and most preferably about 95% of nucleotides that are identical to the nucleotide sequence of the naturally-occurring sequence. In another embodiment, the polynucleotide comprises nucleic acid sequence that is a complementary sequence to a naturally occurring sequence, or complementary to 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% and 100%. Longer polynucleotides encoding 250, 500, 1000, 1212, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 or longer are contemplated herein.


In some embodiments, the polynucleotide used herein may be derived from genomic DNA, i.e., cloned directly from the genome of a particular organism. In preferred embodiments, however, the polynucleotide would comprise complementary DNA (cDNA). Also contemplated is a cDNA plus a natural intron or an intron derived from another gene; such engineered molecules are sometime referred to as “mini-genes.” At a minimum, these and other nucleic acids of the present application may be used as molecular weight standards in, for example, gel electrophoresis. The term “cDNA” is intended to refer to DNA prepared using messenger RNA (mRNA) as template. The advantage of using a cDNA, as opposed to genomic DNA or DNA polymerized from a genomic, non- or partially-processed RNA template, is that the cDNA primarily contains coding sequences of the corresponding protein. There may be times when the full or partial genomic sequence is preferred, such as where the non-coding regions are required for optimal expression or where non-coding regions such as introns are to be targeted in an antisense strategy.


In some embodiments, the polynucleotide comprises one or more segments comprising a small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA), a short hairpin RNA (shRNA), a micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA), a primary micro-ribonucleic acid (pri-miRNA), a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) related nucleic acid, a CRISPR-RNA (crRNA), a single guide ribonucleic acid (sgRNA), a trans-activating CRISPR ribonucleic acid (tracrRNA), a plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (pDNA), a transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA), an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), an antisense ribonucleic acid (RNA), a guide ribonucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), a double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA), a single stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA), a single stranded ribonucleic acid (ssRNA), a or double stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA). In some embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes at least one of the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) described herein. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes at least one guide polynucleotide, such as guide RNA (gRNA) or guide DNA (gDNA), for complexing with a guide RNA guided nuclease described herein. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes at least one guide polynucleotide guided heterologous nuclease. The nuclease may be an endonuclease. Non-limiting example of the guide polynucleotide guided heterologous endonuclease may be selected from CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins or Cas nucleases including type I CRISPR-associated (Cas) polypeptides, type II CRISPR-associated (Cas) polypeptides, type III CRISPR-associated (Cas) polypeptides, type IV CRISPR-associated (Cas) polypeptides, type V CRISPR-associated (Cas) polypeptides, and type VI CRISPR-associated (Cas) polypeptides; zinc finger nucleases (ZFN); transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN); meganucleases; RNA-binding proteins (RBP); CRISPR-associated RNA binding proteins; recombinases; flippases; transposases; Argonaute (Ago) proteins (e.g., prokaryotic Argonaute (pAgo), archaeal Argonaute (aAgo), eukaryotic Argonaute (eAgo), and Natronobacterium gregoryi Argonaute (NgAgo)); Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADAR); CIRT, PUF, homing endonuclease, or any functional fragment thereof, any derivative thereof, any variant thereof, and any fragment thereof.


Some embodiments of the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) provided herein comprise a heterologous polypeptide comprising an actuator moiety. The actuator moiety can be configured to complex with a target polynucleotide corresponding to a target gene. In some embodiments, administration of the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) results in a modified expression or activity of the target gene. The therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) may comprise a heterologous polynucleotide encoding an actuator moiety. The actuator moiety may be configured to complex with a target polynucleotide corresponding to a target gene. The heterologous polynucleotide may encode a guide polynucleotide configured to direct the actuator moiety to the target polynucleotide. The actuator moiety may comprise a heterologous endonuclease or a fragment thereof (e.g., directed by a guide polynucleotide to specifically bind the target polynucleotide). The heterologous endonuclease may be (1) part of a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) and (2) complexed with the guide polynucleotide. The heterologous endonuclease may be part of a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) protein complex. The heterologous endonuclease may be a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) endonuclease. The heterologous endonuclease may comprise a deactivated endonuclease. The deactivated endonuclease may be fused to a regulatory moiety. The regulatory moiety may comprise a transcription activator, a transcription repressor, an epigenetic modifier, or a fragment thereof.


In some embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes at least one guide polynucleotide (such as guide RNA (gRNA) or guide DNA (gDNA)) guided heterologous endonuclease. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes at least one guide polynucleotide and at least one heterologous endonuclease, where the guide polynucleotide can be complexed with and guides the at least one heterologous endonuclease to cleave a genetic locus of any one of the genes described herein. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes at least one guide polynucleotide guided heterologous endonuclease such as Cas9, Cas12, Cas13, Cpf1 (or Cas12a), C2C1, C2C2 (or Cas13a), Cas13b, Cas13c, Cas13d, Cas14, C2C3, Cas1, Cas1B, Cas2, Cas3, Cas4, Cas5, Cas5e (CasD), Cas6, Cas6e, Cas6f, Cas7, Cas8a, Cas8a1, Cas8a2, Cas8b, Cas8c, Csn1, Csx12, Cas10, Cas10d, Cas10, Cas10d, CasF, CasG, CasH, Csy1, Csy2, Csy3, Cse1 (CasA), Cse2 (CasB), Cse3 (CasE), Cse4 (CasC), Csc1, Csc2, Csa5, Csn2, Csm2, Csm3, Csm4, Csm5, Csm6, Cmr1, Cmr3, Cmr4, Cmr5, Cmr6, Csb1, Csb2, Csb3, Csx17, Csx14, Csx10, Csx16, CsaX, Csx3, Csx1, Csx15, Csf1, Csf2, Csf3, Csf4, or Cul966; any derivative thereof, any variant thereof, or any fragment thereof. In some embodiments, Cas13 can include, but are not limited to, Cas13a, Cas13b, Cas13c, and Cas 13d (e.g., CasRx).


In some embodiments, the heterologous endonuclease comprises a deactivated endonuclease, optionally fused to a regulatory moiety, such as an epigenetic modifier to remodel the epigenome that mediates the expression of the selected genes of interest. In some cases, the epigenetic modifier can include methyltransferase, demethylase, dismutase, an alkylating enzyme, depurinase, oxidase, photolyase, integrase, transposase, recombinase, polymerase, ligase, helicase, glycosylase, acetyltransferase, deacetylase, kinase, phosphatase, ubiquitin-activating enzymes, ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes, ubiquitin ligase, deubiquitinating enzyme, adenylate-forming enzyme, AMPylator, de-AMPylator, SUMOylating enzyme, deSUMOylating enzyme, ribosylase, deribosylase, N-myristoyltransferase, chromotine remodeling enzyme, protease, oxidoreductase, transferase, hydrolase, lyase, isomerase, synthase, synthetase, or demyristoylation enzyme. In some instances, the epigenetic modifier can comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of p300, TET1, LSD1, HDAC1, HDAC8, HDAC4, HDAC11, HDT1, SIRT3, HST2, CobB, SIRT5, SIR2A, SIRT6, NUE, vSET, SUV39H1, DIM5, KYP, SUVR4, Set4, Set1, SETD8, and TgSET8.


In some embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes a guide polynucleotide (such as guide RNA (gRNA) or guide DNA (gDNA)) that is at least partially complementary to the genomic region of a gene, where upon binding of the guide polynucleotide to the gene the guide polynucleotide recruits the guide polynucleotide guided nuclease to cleave and genetically modified the region. Examples of the genes that may be modified by the guide polynucleotide guided nuclease include CFTR, DNAH5, DNAH11, BMPR2, FAH, PAH, IDUA, COL4A3, COL4A4, COL4A5, PKD1, PKD2, PKHD1, SLC3A1, SLC7A9, PAX9, MYO7A, CDH23, USH2A, CLRN1, GJB2, GJB6, RHO, DMPK, DMD, SCN1A, SCN1B, F8, F9, NGLY1, p53, PPT1, TPP1, hERG, PPT1, ATM, or FBN1.


In some embodiments, the polynucleotide comprises or encodes at least one mRNA that, upon expression of the mRNA, restores the function of a defective gene in a subject being treated by the pharmaceutical composition described herein.


In some embodiments, the polynucleotides of the present application comprise at least one chemical modifications of the one or more nucleotides. In some embodiments, the chemical modification increases specificity of the guide polynucleotide (such as guide RNA (gRNA) or guide DNA (gDNA)) binding to a complementary genomic locus (e.g., the genomic locus of any one of the genes described herein). In some embodiments, the at least one chemical modification increases resistance to nuclease digestion, when then polynucleotide is administered to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one chemical modification decreases immunogenicity, when then polynucleotide is administered to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one chemical modification stabilizes scaffold such as a tRNA scaffold. Such chemical modification may have desirable properties, such as enhanced resistance to nuclease digestion or increased binding affinity with a target genomic locus relative to a polynucleotide without the at least one chemical modification.


In some embodiments, the at least one chemical modification comprises modification to sugar moiety. In some embodiments, modified sugar moieties are substituted sugar moieties comprising one or more non-bridging sugar substituent, including but not limited to substituents at the 2′ and/or 5′ positions. Examples of sugar substituents suitable for the 2′-position, include, but are not limited to: 2′-F, 2′-OCH3 (“OMe” or “O-methyl”), and 2′-O(CH2)2OCH3 (“MOE”). In certain embodiments, sugar substituents at the 2′ position is selected from allyl, amino, azido, thio, O-allyl, O—C1-C10 alkyl, O—C1-C10 substituted alkyl; OCF3, O(CH2)2SCH3, O(CH2)2—O—N(Rm)(Rn), and O—CH2—C(═O)—N(Rm)(Rn), where each Rm and Rn is, independently, H or substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl. Examples of sugar substituents at the 5′-position, include, but are not limited to: 5′-methyl (R or S); 5′-vinyl, and 5′-methoxy. In some embodiments, substituted sugars comprise more than one non-bridging sugar substituent, for example, T-F-5′-methyl sugar moieties.


Nucleosides comprising 2′-substituted sugar moieties are referred to as 2′-substituted nucleosides. In some embodiments, a 2′-substituted nucleoside comprises a 2′-substituent group selected from halo, allyl, amino, azido, SH, CN, OCN, CF3, OCF3, O, S, or N(Rm)-alkyl; O, S, or N(Rm)-alkenyl; O, S or N(Rm)-alkynyl; O-alkylenyl-O-alkyl, alkynyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, O-alkaryl, O-aralkyl, O(CH2)2SCH3, O(CH2)2—O—N(Rm)(Rn) or O—CH2—C(═O)—N(Rm)(Rn), where each Rm and Rn is, independently, H, an amino protecting group or substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl. These 2′-substituent groups can be further substituted with one or more substituent groups independently selected from hydroxyl, amino, alkoxy, carboxy, benzyl, phenyl, nitro (NO2), thiol, thioalkoxy (S-alkyl), halogen, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl and alkynyl.


In some embodiments, a 2′-substituted nucleoside comprises a 2′-substituent group selected from F, NH2, N3, OCF3, O—CH3, O(CH2)3NH2, CH2—CH═CH2, O—CH2—CH═CH2, OCH2CH2OCH3, O(CH2)2SCH3, O—(CH2)2—O—N(Rm)(Rn), O(CH2)2O(CH2)2N(CH3)2, and N-substituted acetamide (O—CH2—C(═O)—N(Rm)(Rn) where each Rm and Rn is, independently, H, an amino protecting group or substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl.


In some embodiments, a 2′-substituted nucleoside comprises a sugar moiety comprising a 2′-substituent group selected from F, OCF3, O—CH3, OCH2CH2OCH3, O(CH2)2SCH3, O(CH2)2—O—N(CH3)2, —O(CH2)2O(CH2)2N(CH3)2, and O—CH2—C(═O)—N(H)CH3.


In some embodiments, a 2′-substituted nucleoside comprises a sugar moiety comprising a 2′-substituent group selected from F, O—CH3, and OCH2CH2OCH3.


Certain modified sugar moieties comprise a bridging sugar substituent that forms a second ring resulting in a bicyclic sugar moiety. In some such embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety comprises a bridge between the 4′ and the 2′ furanose ring atoms. Examples of such 4′ to 2′ sugar substituents, include, but are not limited to: —[C(Ra)(Rb)]n—, —[C(Ra)(Rb)]n—O—, —C(RaRb)—N(R)—O— or, —C(RaRb)—O—N(R)—; 4′-CH2-2′, 4′—(CH2)2-2′, 4′—(CH2)—O-2′ (LNA); 4′-(CH2)—S-2′; 4′—(CH2)2—O-2′ (ENA); 4′-CH(CH3)—O-2′ (cEt) and 4′-CH(CH2OCH3)—O-2′, and analogs thereof, 4′-C(CH3)(CH3)—O-2′ and analogs thereof, 4′-CH2—N(OCH3)-2′ and analogs thereof, 4′-CH2—O—N(CH3)-2′; 4′—CH2—O—N(R)-2′, and 4′-CH2—N(R)—O-2′-, wherein each R is, independently, H, a protecting group, or C1-C12 alkyl; 4′-CH2—N(R)—O-2′, wherein R is H, C1-C12 alkyl, or a protecting group; 4′-CH2—C(H)(CH3)-2′; and 4′-CH2—C(═CH2)-2′ and analogs thereof.


In some embodiments, such 4′ to 2′ bridges independently comprise from 1 to 4 linked groups independently selected from —[C(Ra)(Rb)]n—, —C(Ra)═C(Rb)—, —C(Ra)═N—, —C(═NRa)—, —C(═O)—, —C(═S)—, —O—, —Si(Ra)2—, —S(═O)r—, and —N(Ra)—; wherein: x is 0, 1, or 2; n is 1, 2, 3, or 4; each Ra and Rb is, independently, H, a protecting group, hydroxyl, C1-C12 alkyl, substituted C1-C12 alkyl, C2-C12 alkenyl, substituted C2-C12 alkenyl, C2-C12 alkynyl, substituted C2-C12 alkynyl, C5-C20 aryl, substituted C5-C20 aryl, heterocycle radical, substituted heterocycle radical, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, C5-C7 alicyclic radical, substituted C5-C7 alicyclic radical, halogen, OJ1, NJ1J2, SJ1, N3, COOJ1, acyl (C(═O)—H), substituted acyl, CN, sulfonyl (S(═O)2-J1), or sulfoxyl (S(═O)-J1); and each J1 and J2 is, independently, H, C1-C12 alkyl, substituted C1-C12 alkyl, C2-C12 alkenyl, substituted C2-C12 alkenyl, C2-C12 alkynyl, substituted C2-C12 alkynyl, C5-C20 aryl, substituted C5-C20 aryl, acyl (C(═O)—H), substituted acyl, a heterocycle radical, a substituted heterocycle radical, C1-C12 aminoalkyl, substituted C1-C12 aminoalkyl, or a protecting group.


Nucleosides comprising bicyclic sugar moieties are referred to as bicyclic nucleosides or BNAs. Bicyclic nucleosides include, but are not limited to, (A) α-L-Methyleneoxy (4′-CH2—O-2′) BNA, (B) R-D-Methyleneoxy (4′-CH2—O-2′) BNA (also referred to as locked nucleic acid or LNA), (C) Ethyleneoxy (4′-(CH2)2—O-2′) BNA, (D) Aminooxy (4′-CH2—O—N(R)-2′) BNA, (E) Oxyamino (4′-CH2—N(R)—O-2′) BNA, (F) Methyl(methyleneoxy) (4′-CH(CH3)—O-2′) BNA (also referred to as constrained ethyl or cEt), (G) methylene-thio (4′-CH2—S-2′) BNA, (H) methylene-amino (4′-CH2—N(R)-2′) BNA, (I) methyl carbocyclic (4′-CH2—CH(CH3)-2′) BNA, (J) propylene carbocyclic (4′-(CH2)3-2′) BNA, and (K) Methoxy(ethyleneoxy) (4′-CH(CH2OMe)-O-2′) BNA (also referred to as constrained MOE or cMOE).


In some embodiments, bicyclic sugar moieties and nucleosides incorporating such bicyclic sugar moieties are further defined by isomeric configuration. For example, a nucleoside comprising a 4′-2′ methylene-oxy bridge, may be in the .alpha.-L configuration or in the .beta.-D configuration. Previously, α-L-methyleneoxy (4′-CH2—O-2′) bicyclic nucleosides have been incorporated into antisense polynucleotides that showed antisense activity.


In some embodiments, substituted sugar moieties comprise one or more non-bridging sugar substituent and one or more bridging sugar substituent (e.g., 5′-substituted and 4′-2′ bridged sugars, wherein LNA is substituted with, for example, a 5′-methyl or a 5′-vinyl group).


In some embodiments, modified sugar moieties are sugar surrogates. In some such embodiments, the oxygen atom of the naturally occurring sugar is substituted, e.g., with a sulfur, carbon or nitrogen atom. In some such embodiments, such modified sugar moiety also comprises bridging and/or non-bridging substituents as described above. For example, certain sugar surrogates comprise a 4′-sulfur atom and a substitution at the 2′-position and/or the 5′ position. By way of additional example, carbocyclic bicyclic nucleosides having a 4′-2′ bridge have been described.


In some embodiments, sugar surrogates comprise rings having other than 5-atoms. For example, in some embodiments, a sugar surrogate comprises a six-membered tetrahydropyran. Such tetrahydropyrans may be further modified or substituted. Nucleosides comprising such modified tetrahydropyrans include, but are not limited to, hexitol nucleic acid (HNA), anitol nucleic acid (ANA), manitol nucleic acid (MNA), and fluoro HNA (F-HNA).


Many other bicyclo and tricyclo sugar surrogate ring systems are also known in the art that can be used to modify nucleosides for incorporation into antisense compounds.


Combinations of modifications are also provided without limitation, such as 2′-F-5′-methyl substituted nucleosides and replacement of the ribosyl ring oxygen atom with S and further substitution at the 2′-position or alternatively 5′-substitution of a bicyclic nucleic acid. In some embodiments, a 4′-CH2—O-2′ bicyclic nucleoside is further substituted at the 5′ position with a 5′-methyl or a 5′-vinyl group). The synthesis and preparation of carbocyclic bicyclic nucleosides along with their oligomerization and biochemical studies have also been described.


In some embodiments, the present application provides polynucleotide comprising modified nucleosides. Those modified nucleotides may include modified sugars, modified nucleobases, and/or modified linkages. The specific modifications are selected such that the resulting polynucleotide possesses desirable characteristics. In some embodiments, polynucleotide comprises one or more RNA-like nucleosides. In some embodiments, polynucleotide comprises one or more DNA-like nucleotides.


In some embodiments, nucleosides of the present application comprise one or more unmodified nucleobases. In certain embodiments, nucleosides of the present application comprise one or more modified nucleobases.


In some embodiments, modified nucleobases are selected from: universal bases, hydrophobic bases, promiscuous bases, size-expanded bases, and fluorinated bases as defined herein. 5-substituted pyrimidines, 6-azapyrimidines and N-2, N-6 and O-6 substituted purines, including 2-aminopropyladenine, 5-propynyluracil; 5-propynylcytosine; 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, 2-aminoadenine, 6-methyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-propyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-thiouracil, 2-thiothymine and 2-thiocytosine, 5-halouracil and cytosine, 5-propynyl CH3) uracil and cytosine and other alkynyl derivatives of pyrimidine bases, 6-azo uracil, cytosine and thymine, 5-uracil (pseudouracil), 4-thiouracil, 8-halo, 8-amino, 8-thiol, 8-thioalkyl, 8-hydroxyl and other 8-substituted adenines and guanines, 5-halo particularly 5-bromo, 5-trifluoromethyl and other 5-substituted uracils and cytosines, 7-methylguanine and 7-methyladenine, 2-F-adenine, 2-amino-adenine, 8-azaguanine and 8-azaadenine, 7-deazaguanine and 7-deazaadenine, 3-deazaguanine and 3-deazaadenine, universal bases, hydrophobic bases, promiscuous bases, size-expanded bases, and fluorinated bases as defined herein. Further modified nucleobases include tricyclic pyrimidines such as phenoxazine cytidine([5,4-b][1,4]benzoxazin-2(3H)-one), phenothiazine cytidine (1H-pyrimido[5,4-b][1,4]benzothiazin-2(3H)-one), G-clamps such as a substituted phenoxazine cytidine (e.g., 9-(2-aminoethoxy)-H-pyrimido[5,4-13][1,4]benzoxazin-2(3H)-one), carbazole cytidine (2H-pyrimido[4,5-b]indol-2-one), pyridoindole cytidine (H-pyrido[3′,2′:4,5]pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-one). Modified nucleobases may also include those in which the purine or pyrimidine base is replaced with other heterocycles, for example 7-deaza-adenine, 7-deazaguanosine, 2-aminopyridine and 2-pyridone.


In some embodiments, the present application provides polynucleotide comprising linked nucleosides. In such embodiments, nucleosides may be linked together using any internucleoside linkage. The two main classes of internucleoside linking groups are defined by the presence or absence of a phosphorus atom. Representative phosphorus containing internucleoside linkages include, but are not limited to, phosphodiesters (P═O), phosphotriesters, methylphosphonates, phosphoramidate, and phosphorothioates (P═S). Representative non-phosphorus containing internucleoside linking groups include, but are not limited to, methylenemethylimino (—CH2—N(CH3)—O—CH2—), thiodiester (—O—C(O)—S—), thionocarbamate (—O—C(O)(NH)—S—); siloxane (—O—Si(H)2—O—); and N,N′-dimethylhydrazine (—CH2—N(CH3)—N(CH3)—). Modified linkages, compared to natural phosphodiester linkages, can be used to alter, typically increase, nuclease resistance of the oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, internucleoside linkages having a chiral atom can be prepared as a racemic mixture, or as separate enantiomers. Representative chiral linkages include, but are not limited to, alkylphosphonates and phosphorothioates. Methods of preparation of phosphorous-containing and non-phosphorous-containing internucleoside linkages are well known to those skilled in the art.


The polynucleotides described herein contain one or more asymmetric centers and thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, and other stereoisomeric configurations that may be defined, in terms of absolute stereochemistry, as (R) or (S), a or R such as for sugar anomers, or as (D) or (L) such as for amino acids etc. Included in the antisense compounds provided herein are all such possible isomers, as well as their racemic and optically pure forms.


Neutral internucleoside linkages include without limitation, phosphotriesters, methylphosphonates, MMI (3′-CH2—N(CH3)—O-5′), amide-3 (3′-CH2—C(═O)—N(H)-5′), amide-4 (3′-CH2—N(H)—C(═O)-5′), formacetal (3′-O—CH2—O-5′), and thioformacetal (3′-S—CH2—O-5′). Further neutral internucleoside linkages include nonionic linkages comprising siloxane (dialkylsiloxane), carboxylate ester, carboxamide, sulfide, sulfonate ester and amides (See for example: Carbohydrate Modifications in Antisense Research; Y. S. Sanghvi and P. D. Cook, Eds., ACS Symposium Series 580; Chapters 3 and 4, 40-65). Further neutral internucleoside linkages include nonionic linkages comprising mixed N, O, S and CH2 component parts.


Additional modifications may also be made at other positions on the oligonucleotide, particularly the 3′ position of the sugar on the 3′ terminal nucleotide and the 5′ position of 5′ terminal nucleotide. For example, one additional modification of the ligand conjugated polynucleotides of the present application involves chemically linking to the oligonucleotide one or more additional non-ligand moieties or conjugates which enhance the activity, cellular distribution or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include but are not limited to lipid moieties such as a cholesterol moiety, cholic acid, a thioether, e.g., hexyl-5-tritylthiol, a thiocholesterol, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol orundecyl residues, aphospholipid, e.g., di-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol or triethylammonium 1,2-di-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycero-3-H-phosphonate, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid, a palmityl moiety, or an octadecylamine or hexylamino-carbonyl-oxycholesterol moiety.


In some embodiments, the polynucleotides described herein comprise or encode at least one tRNA described herein. In some embodiments, the tRNA expressed from the polynucleotide restores the function of at least one defective tRNA in a subject who is being treated by the pharmaceutical composition described herein. In some embodiments, the at least one tRNA expressed by the polynucleotide described herein may include tRNA that encodes alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, hydroxyproline, isoleucine, leucin, lysine, methionine, phenylaniline, proline, pyroglutamic acid, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, or valine. In some embodiments, the at least one tRNA expressed by the polynucleotide described herein may include tRNA that encodes arginine, tryptophan, glutamic acid, glutamine, serine, tyrosine, lysine, leucine, glycine, or cysteine.


Polypeptides

In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical compositions of the present application, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) assembled with the lipid composition comprises one or more one or more polypeptides. Some polypeptides may include enzymes such as any one of the nuclease enzymes described herein. For example, the nuclease enzyme may include from CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins or Cas nucleases including type I CRISPR-associated (Cas) polypeptides, type II CRISPR-associated (Cas) polypeptides, type III CRISPR-associated (Cas) polypeptides, type IV CRISPR-associated (Cas) polypeptides, type V CRISPR-associated (Cas) polypeptides, and type VI CRISPR-associated (Cas) polypeptides; zinc finger nucleases (ZFN); transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN); meganucleases; RNA-binding proteins (RBP); CRISPR-associated RNA binding proteins; recombinases; flippases; transposases; Argonaute (Ago) proteins (e.g., prokaryotic Argonaute (pAgo), archaeal Argonaute (aAgo), eukaryotic Argonaute (eAgo), and Natronobacterium gregoryi Argonaute (NgAgo)); Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADAR); CIRT, PUF, homing endonuclease, or any functional fragment thereof, any derivative thereof, any variant thereof, and any fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the nuclease enzyme may include Cas proteins such as Cas1, Cas1B, Cas2, Cas3, Cas4, Cas5, Cas6, Cas7, Cas8, Cas9 (also known as Csn1 and Csx12), Cas10, Csy1, Csy2, Csy3, Cse1, Cse2, Csc1, Csc2, Csa5, Csn2, Csm2, Csm3, Csm4, Csm5, Csm6, Cmr1, Cmr3, Cmr4, Cmr5, Cmr6, Csb1, Csb2, Csb3, Csx17, Csx14, Csx10, Csx16, CsaX, Csx3, Csx1, Csx15, Csf1, Csf2, Csf3, Csf4, homologs thereof, or modified versions thereof.


In some embodiments, the Cas protein may be complexed with a guide polynucleotide described herein to be form a CRISPR ribonucleoprotein (RNP).


The nuclease in the compositions described herein may be Cas9 (e.g., from S. pyogenes or S. pneumonia). The CRISPR enzyme can direct cleavage of one or both strands at the location of a target sequence, such as within the target sequence and/or within the complement of the target sequence of any one of the genes described herein.


The CRISPR enzyme may be mutated with respect to a corresponding wild-type enzyme such that the mutated CRISPR enzyme lacks the ability to cleave one or both strands of a target polynucleotide containing a target sequence. For example, an aspartate-to-alanine substitution (D10A) in the RuvC I catalytic domain of Cas9 from S. pyogenes converts Cas9 from a nuclease that cleaves both strands to a nickase (cleaves a single strand). In some embodiments, a Cas9 nickase may be used in combination with guide sequence(s), e.g., two guide sequences, which target respectively sense and antisense strands of the DNA target. This combination allows both strands to be nicked and used to induce NHEJ or HDR.


In some embodiments, the present application provides polypeptide containing one or more therapeutic proteins. The therapeutic proteins that may be included in the composition include a wide range of molecules such as cytokines, chemokines, interleukins, interferons, growth factors, coagulation factors, anti-coagulants, blood factors, bone morphogenic proteins, immunoglobulins, and enzymes. Some non-limiting examples of particular therapeutic proteins include Erythropoietin (EPO), Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), Alpha-galactosidase A, Alpha-L-iduronidase, Thyrotropin a, N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase (rhASB), Dornase alfa, Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) Activase, Glucocerebrosidase, Interferon (IF) β-1a, Interferon β-1b, Interferon γ, Interferon α, TNF-α, IL-1 through IL-36, Human growth hormone (rHGH), Human insulin (BHI), Human chorionic gonadotropin a, Darbepoetin a, Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and Factor VIII.


In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprises a peptide sequence that is at least partially identical to any of the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) comprising a peptide sequence. For example, the polypeptide may comprise a peptide sequence that is at least partially identical to an antibody (e.g., a monoclonal antibody) for treating a disease such as cancer.


In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprises a peptide or protein that restores the function of a defective protein in a subject being treated by the pharmaceutical composition described herein.


In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition of the present application comprises a plurality of payloads assembled with (e.g., encapsulated within) a lipid composition. The plurality of payloads assembled with the lipid composition may be configured for gene-editing or gene-expression modification. The plurality of payloads assembled with the lipid composition may comprise a polynucleotide encoding an actuator moiety (e.g., comprising a heterologous endonuclease such as Cas) or a polynucleotide encoding the actuator moiety. The plurality of payloads assembled with the lipid composition may further comprise one or more (e.g., one or two) guide polynucleotides. The plurality of payloads assembled with the lipid composition may further comprise one or more donor or template polynucleotides. The plurality of payloads assembled with the lipid composition may comprise a ribonucleoprotein (RNP).


In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) is a polynucleotide, and a molar ratio of nitrogen in the lipid composition to phosphate in the polynucleotide (N/P ratio) is no more than (about) 20:1, no more than (about) 15:1, no more than (about) 10:1, or no more than (about) 5:1. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) is a polynucleotide, and a molar ratio of nitrogen in the lipid composition to phosphate in the polynucleotide (N/P ratio) is no less than (about) 20:1, no less than (about) 15:1, no less than (about) 10:1, or no less than (about) 5:1. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) is a polynucleotide, and a molar ratio of nitrogen in the lipid composition to phosphate in the polynucleotide (N/P ratio) is from about 5:1 to about 20:1. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) is a polynucleotide, and a molar ratio of nitrogen in the lipid composition to phosphate in the polynucleotide (N/P ratio) is from about 10:1 to about 20:1. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) is a polynucleotide, and a molar ratio of nitrogen in the lipid composition to phosphate in the polynucleotide (N/P ratio) is from about 15:1 to about 20:1. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) is a polynucleotide, and a molar ratio of nitrogen in the lipid composition to phosphate in the polynucleotide (N/P ratio) is from about 5:1 to about 10:1. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) is a polynucleotide, and a molar ratio of nitrogen in the lipid composition to phosphate in the polynucleotide (N/P ratio) is from about 5:1 to about 15:1. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) is a polynucleotide, and a molar ratio of nitrogen in the lipid composition to phosphate in the polynucleotide (N/P ratio) is from about 5:1 to about 20:1. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) is a polynucleotide, and a molar ratio of nitrogen in the lipid composition to phosphate in the polynucleotide (N/P ratio) is from about 15:1 to about 20:1.


In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, a molar ratio of the therapeutic agent to total lipids of the lipid composition is from about 1:1 to about 1:100. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, a molar ratio of the therapeutic agent to total lipids of the lipid composition is from about 1:1 to about 1:50. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, a molar ratio of the therapeutic agent to total lipids of the lipid composition is from about 50:1 to about 1:100. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, a molar ratio of the therapeutic agent to total lipids of the lipid composition is from about 1:1 to about 1:20. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, a molar ratio of the therapeutic agent to total lipids of the lipid composition is from about 20:1 to about 1:50. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, a molar ratio of the therapeutic agent to total lipids of the lipid composition is from about 50:1 to about 1:70. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, a molar ratio of the therapeutic agent to total lipids of the lipid composition is from about 70:1 to about 1:100. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, a molar ratio of the therapeutic agent to total lipids of the lipid composition is no more than (about) 1:1, no more than (about) 1:5, no more than (about) 1:10, no more than (about) 1:15, no more than (about) 1:20, no more than (about) 1:25, no more than (about) 1:30, no more than (about) 1:35, no more than (about) 1:40, no more than (about) 1:45, no more than (about) 1:50, no more than (about) 1:60, no more than (about) 1:70, no more than (about) 1:80, no more than (about) 1:90, or more than (about) 1:100. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, a molar ratio of the therapeutic agent to total lipids of the lipid composition is no less than (about) 1:1, no less than (about) 1:5, no less than (about) 1:10, no less than (about) 1:15, no less than (about) 1:20, no less than (about) 1:25, no less than (about) 1:30, no less than (about) 1:35, no less than (about) 1:40, no less than (about) 1:45, no less than (about) 1:50, no less than (about) 1:60, no less than (about) 1:70, no less than (about) 1:80, no less than (about) 1:90, or less than (about) 1:100.


In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, at least (about) 85%, at least (about) 86%, at least (about) 87%, at least (about) 88%, at least (about) 89%, at least (about) 90%, at least (about) 91%, at least (about) 92%, at least (about) 93%, at least (about) 94%, at least (about) 95%, at least (about) 96%, at least (about) 97%, at least (about) 98%, at least (about) 99%, or (about) 100% of the therapeutic agent is encapsulated in particles of the lipid compositions.


In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles characterized by one or more characteristics of the following: (1) a (e.g., average) size of 100 nanometers (nm) or less; (2) a polydispersity index (PDI) of no more than about 0.2; and (3) a zeta potential of −10 millivolts (mV) to 10 mV.


In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a (e.g., average) size from about 50 nanometers (nm) to about 100 nanometers (nm). In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a (e.g., average) size from about 70 nanometers (nm) to about 100 nanometers (nm). In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a (e.g., average) size from about 50 nanometers (nm) to about 80 nanometers (nm). In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a (e.g., average) size from about 60 nanometers (nm) to about 80 nanometers (nm). In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a (e.g., average) size of at most about 100 nanometers (nm), at most about 90 nanometers (nm), at most about 85 nanometers (nm), at most about 80 nanometers (nm), at most about 75 nanometers (nm), at most about 70 nanometers (nm), at most about 65 nanometers (nm), at most about 60 nanometers (nm), at most about 55 nanometers (nm), or at most about 50 nanometers (nm). In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a (e.g., average) size of at least about 100 nanometers (nm), at least about 90 nanometers (nm), at least about 85 nanometers (nm), at least about 80 nanometers (nm), at least about 75 nanometers (nm), at least about 70 nanometers (nm), at least about 65 nanometers (nm), at least about 60 nanometers (nm), at least about 55 nanometers (nm), or at least about 50 nanometers (nm). The (e.g., average) size may be determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The (e.g., average) size may be determined by spectroscopic method(s) or image-based method(s), for example, dynamic light scattering, static light scattering, multi-angle light scattering, laser light scattering, or dynamic image analysis, or a combination thereof.


In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a polydispersity index (PDI) from about 0.05 to about 0.5. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a polydispersity index (PDI) from about 0.1 to about 0.5. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a polydispersity index (PDI) from about 0.1 to about 0.3. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a polydispersity index (PDI) from about 0.2 to about 0.5. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a polydispersity index (PDI) of no more than about 0.5, no more than about 0.4, no more than about 0.3, no more than about 0.2, no more than about 0.1, or no more than about 0.05.


In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a negative zeta potential of −5 millivolts (mV) or less. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a negative zeta potential of −10 millivolts (mV) or less. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a negative zeta potential of −15 millivolts (mV) or less. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a negative zeta potential of −20 millivolts (mV) or less. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a negative zeta potential of −30 millivolts (mV) or less. In some embodiments, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a zeta potential of 0 millivolts (mV) or less. In some embodiments, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a zeta potential of 5 millivolts (mV) or less. In some embodiments, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a zeta potential of 10 millivolts (mV) or less. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a negative zeta potential of 15 millivolts (mV) or less. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a negative zeta potential of 20 millivolts (mV) or less.


In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a negative zeta potential of −5 millivolts (mV) or more. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a negative zeta potential of −10 millivolts (mV) or more In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a negative zeta potential of −15 millivolts (mV) or more. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a negative zeta potential of −20 millivolts (mV) or more. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a negative zeta potential of −30 millivolts (mV) or more. In some embodiments, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a zeta potential of 0 millivolts (mV) or more. In some embodiments, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a zeta potential of 5 millivolts (mV) or more. In some embodiments, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a zeta potential of 10 millivolts (mV) or more. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a zeta potential of 15 millivolts (mV) or more. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles with a zeta potential of 20 millivolts (mV) or more.


In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition has an apparent ionization constant (pKa) outside a range of 6 to 7. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition has an apparent pKa of about 8 or higher, about 9 or higher, about 10 or higher, about 11 or higher, about 12 or higher, or about 13 or higher. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition has an apparent pKa of about 8 to about 13. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition has an apparent pKa of about 8 to about 10. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition has an apparent pKa of about 9 to about 11. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition has an apparent pKa of about 10 to about 13. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition has an apparent pKa of about 8 to about 12. In some embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the present application, the lipid composition has an apparent pKa of about 10 to about 12.


In some embodiments of the composition, the SORT lipid in the composition achieves about least 1.1-fold greater therapeutic effect in a spleen cell compared to that achieved in a lung cell. In some embodiments, the SORT lipid in the composition achieves about 1.1-fold greater, at least 1.5-fold greater, at least 2-fold greater, at least 2.5-fold greater, at least 3-fold greater, at least 3.5-fold greater, at least 4-fold greater, at least 4.5-fold greater, at least 5-fold greater, at least 5.5-fold greater, at least 6-fold greater, at least 7-fold greater, at least 8-fold greater, at least 9-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 15-fold greater, at least 18-fold greater, at least 20-fold greater, at least 30-fold greater, at least 40-fold greater, at least 50-fold greater, at least 75-fold greater, at least 100-fold greater, at least 200-fold greater, or at least 300-fold greater, therapeutic effect in a spleen cell compared to that achieved in a lung cell. In some embodiments of the composition, the SORT lipid in the composition achieves about least 1.1-fold greater therapeutic effect in a spleen cell compared to that achieved in a liver cell. In some embodiments, the SORT lipid in the composition achieves about 1.1-fold greater, at least 1.5-fold greater, at least 2-fold greater, at least 2.5-fold greater, at least 3-fold greater, at least 3.5-fold greater, at least 4-fold greater, at least 4.5-fold greater, at least 5-fold greater, at least 5.5-fold greater, at least 6-fold greater, at least 7-fold greater, at least 8-fold greater, at least 9-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 15-fold greater, at least 18-fold greater, or at least 20-fold greater therapeutic effect in a spleen cell compared to that achieved in a liver cell. In some embodiments of the composition, the SORT lipid in the composition achieves about least 1.1-fold greater therapeutic effect in a lung cell compared to that achieved in a liver cell. In some embodiments, the SORT lipid in the composition achieves about 1.1-fold greater, at least 1.5-fold greater, at least 2-fold greater, at least 2.5-fold greater, at least 3-fold greater, at least 3.5-fold greater, at least 4-fold greater, at least 4.5-fold greater, at least 5-fold greater, at least 5.5-fold greater, at least 6-fold greater, at least 7-fold greater, at least 8-fold greater, at least 9-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 15-fold greater, at least 18-fold greater, or at least 20-fold greater therapeutic effect in a lung cell compared to that achieved in a liver cell.


In some embodiments of the composition, the SORT lipid in the composition achieves about least 1.1-fold greater therapeutic effect in a lung cell compared to that achieved in a spleen cell. In some embodiments, the SORT lipid in the composition achieves about 1.1-fold greater, at least 1.5-fold greater, at least 2-fold greater, at least 2.5-fold greater, at least 3-fold greater, at least 3.5-fold greater, at least 4-fold greater, at least 4.5-fold greater, at least 5-fold greater, at least 5.5-fold greater, at least 6-fold greater, at least 7-fold greater, at least 8-fold greater, at least 9-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 15-fold greater, at least 18-fold greater, or at least 20-fold greater therapeutic effect in a lung cell compared to that achieved in a spleen cell. In some embodiments of the composition, the SORT lipid in the composition achieves about least 1.1-fold greater therapeutic effect in a spleen cell compared to that achieved in a liver cell. In some embodiments, the SORT lipid in the composition achieves about 1.1-fold greater, at least 1.5-fold greater, at least 2-fold greater, at least 2.5-fold greater, at least 3-fold greater, at least 3.5-fold greater, at least 4-fold greater, at least 4.5-fold greater, at least 5-fold greater, at least 5.5-fold greater, at least 6-fold greater, at least 7-fold greater, at least 8-fold greater, at least 9-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 15-fold greater, at least 18-fold greater, or at least 20-fold greater therapeutic effect in a spleen cell compared to that achieved in a liver cell. In some embodiments of the composition, the SORT lipid in the composition achieves about least 1.1-fold greater therapeutic effect in a lung cell compared to that achieved in a liver cell. In some embodiments, the SORT lipid in the composition achieves about 1.1-fold greater, at least 1.5-fold greater, at least 2-fold greater, at least 2.5-fold greater, at least 3-fold greater, at least 3.5-fold greater, at least 4-fold greater, at least 4.5-fold greater, at least 5-fold greater, at least 5.5-fold greater, at least 6-fold greater, at least 7-fold greater, at least 8-fold greater, at least 9-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 15-fold greater, at least 18-fold greater, or at least 20-fold greater therapeutic effect in a lung cell compared to that achieved in a liver cell.


Methods

In some embodiments of the method, the pharmaceutical composition of the present application can be administrated through any suitable routes including, for example, oral, rectal, vaginal, transmucosal, pulmonary including intratracheal or inhaled, or intestinal administration; parenteral delivery, including intramuscular, subcutaneous, intramedullary injections, as well as intrathecal, direct intraventricular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, or intraocular injections.


In some embodiments of the method, the pharmaceutical composition of the present application can be administered in a local rather than systemic manner, for example, via injection of the pharmaceutical composition directly into a targeted tissue, preferably in a sustained release formulation. Local delivery can be affected in various ways, depending on the tissue to be targeted.


In some embodiments, the composition of the present application can be injected into the site of injury, disease manifestation, or pain, for example. In some embodiments, the composition of the present application can be provided in lozenges for oral, tracheal, or esophageal application. In some embodiments, the composition of the present application can be supplied in liquid, tablet or capsule form for administration to the stomach or intestines. In some embodiments, the composition of the present application can be supplied in suppository form for rectal or vaginal application. In some embodiments, the composition of the present application can even be delivered to the eye by use of creams, drops, or even injection.


In some embodiments, provided herein is a method for potent delivery to a cell of a subject comprising administrating to the subject the pharmaceutical composition as described in the present application. In some embodiments of the method, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) assembled with a lipid composition as described in the present application, wherein the lipid composition comprises (i) an ionizable cationic lipid; and (iii) a selective organ targeting (SORT) lipid separate from the ionizable cationic lipid. The lipid composition may further comprise a phospholipid.


In some embodiments of any method described herein, the method of delivery of a therapeutic agent to a spleen cell comprising (e.g., systemically) administering a composition described herein, thereby providing an effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said spleen cell of said subject that is at least 1.1-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a lung cell of said subject. In some embodiments, the effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said spleen cell is at least 1.1-fold greater, at least 1.5-fold greater, at least 2-fold greater, at least 2.5-fold greater, at least 3-fold greater, at least 3.5-fold greater, at least 4-fold greater, at least 4.5-fold greater, at least 5-fold greater, at least 5.5-fold greater, at least 6-fold greater, at least 7-fold greater, at least 8-fold greater, at least 9-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 15-fold greater, at least 18-fold greater, at least 20-fold greater, at least 30-fold greater, at least 40-fold greater, at least 50-fold greater, at least 75-fold greater, at least 100-fold greater, at least 200-fold greater, or at least 300-fold greater, than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a lung cell of said subject.


In some embodiments of the method of delivery of the therapeutic agent to the spleen cell, the method provides an effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said spleen cell of said subject that is at least 1.1-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a liver cell of said subject. In some embodiments, the effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said spleen cell is at least 1.1-fold greater, at least 1.5-fold greater, at least 2-fold greater, at least 2.5-fold greater, at least 3-fold greater, at least 3.5-fold greater, at least 4-fold greater, at least 4.5-fold greater, at least 5-fold greater, at least 5.5-fold greater, at least 6-fold greater, at least 7-fold greater, at least 8-fold greater, at least 9-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 15-fold greater, at least 18-fold greater, or at least 20-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a liver cell of said subject.


In some embodiments of the method of delivery of the therapeutic agent to the spleen cell, the method provides an effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said lung cell of said subject that is at least 1.1-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a liver cell of said subject. In some embodiments, the effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said lung cell is at least 1.1-fold greater, at least 1.5-fold greater, at least 2-fold greater, at least 2.5-fold greater, at least 3-fold greater, at least 3.5-fold greater, at least 4-fold greater, at least 4.5-fold greater, at least 5-fold greater, at least 5.5-fold greater, at least 6-fold greater, at least 7-fold greater, at least 8-fold greater, at least 9-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 15-fold greater, at least 18-fold greater, or at least 20-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a liver cell of said subject.


In some embodiments any method described herein, the method of delivery of a therapeutic agent to a lung cell comprising (e.g., systemically) administering a composition described herein, thereby providing an effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said lung cell of said subject that is at least 1.1-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a spleen cell of said subject. In some embodiments, the effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said lung cell is at least 1.1-fold greater, at least 1.5-fold greater, at least 2-fold greater, at least 2.5-fold greater, at least 3-fold greater, at least 3.5-fold greater, at least 4-fold greater, at least 4.5-fold greater, at least 5-fold greater, at least 5.5-fold greater, at least 6-fold greater, at least 7-fold greater, at least 8-fold greater, at least 9-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 15-fold greater, at least 18-fold greater, or at least 20-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a spleen cell of said subject.


In some embodiments of the method of delivery of the therapeutic agent to the lung cell, the method provides an effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said lung cell of said subject that is at least 1.1-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a liver cell of said subject. In some embodiments, the effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said lung cell is at least 1.1-fold greater, at least 1.5-fold greater, at least 2-fold greater, at least 2.5-fold greater, at least 3-fold greater, at least 3.5-fold greater, at least 4-fold greater, at least 4.5-fold greater, at least 5-fold greater, at least 5.5-fold greater, at least 6-fold greater, at least 7-fold greater, at least 8-fold greater, at least 9-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 15-fold greater, at least 18-fold greater, or at least 20-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a liver cell of said subject.


In some embodiments of the method of delivery of the therapeutic agent to the lung cell, the method provides an effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said spleen cell of said subject that is at least 1.1-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a liver cell of said subject. In some embodiments, the effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said spleen cell is at least 1.1-fold greater, at least 1.5-fold greater, at least 2-fold greater, at least 2.5-fold greater, at least 3-fold greater, at least 3.5-fold greater, at least 4-fold greater, at least 4.5-fold greater, at least 5-fold greater, at least 5.5-fold greater, at least 6-fold greater, at least 7-fold greater, at least 8-fold greater, at least 9-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 15-fold greater, at least 18-fold greater, or at least 20-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a liver cell of said subject.


In some embodiments, the delivery of the therapeutic to a cell may alter the genome, transcriptome, or expression levels. The cell may be allowed to, or able to, propagate and the alteration may be passed on to the cells generated from the cell that the therapeutic was delivered to. In this manner, the therapeutic effect may be propagated to a larger number of cells. The alteration to the genome, transcriptome or expression level may also persist in a given cell.


Dosing Level

In another aspect, provided is high-potency dosage form of a therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) formulated with a selective organ targeting (SORT) lipid, the dosage form comprising a therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) assembled with a lipid composition as described herein. In some embodiments, the lipid composition comprises: (i) an ionizable cationic lipid; and (ii) a selective organ targeting (SORT) lipid separate from the ionizable cationic lipid. The lipid composition may further comprise a phospholipid.


In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is present in the dosage form at a dose of about 2.0, 1.5, 1.0, 0.5, 0.2, or 0.1 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg, or mpk) body weight, or of a range between (inclusive) any two of the foregoing values.


In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is present in the dosage form at a dose of no more than about 2 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg, or mpk) body weight. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is present in the dosage form at a dose of no more than about 1 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg, or mpk) body weight. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is present in the dosage form at a dose of no more than about 0.5 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg, or mpk) body weight. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is present in the dosage form at a dose of no more than about 0.2 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg, or mpk) body weight. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is present in the dosage form at a dose of no more than about 0.1 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg, or mpk) body weight. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is present in the dosage form at a concentration of no more than about 5 milligram per milliliter (mg/mL).


In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is present in the dosage form at a concentration of about 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.2, or 0.1 milligram per milliliter (mg/mL), or of a range between (inclusive) any two of the foregoing values.


In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is present in the dosage form at a concentration of no more than about 5 milligram per milliliter (mg/mL). In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is present in the dosage form at a concentration of no more than about 2 milligram per milliliter (mg/mL). In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is present in the dosage form at a concentration of no more than about 1 milligram per milliliter (mg/mL). In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is present in the dosage form at a concentration of no more than about 0.5 milligram per milliliter (mg/mL). In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent is present in the dosage form at a concentration of no more than about 0.1 milligram per milliliter (mg/mL).


Any suitable dosage form can be prepared for delivery, for example, via oral, rectal, vaginal, transmucosal, pulmonary including intratracheal or inhaled, or intestinal administration; parenteral delivery, including intramuscular, subcutaneous, intramedullary injections, as well as intrathecal, direct intraventricular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, or intraocular injections.


In some embodiments, the dosage form can be administered in a local rather than systemic manner, for example, via injection of the pharmaceutical composition directly into a targeted tissue, preferably in a sustained release formulation. Local delivery can be affected in various ways, depending on the tissue to be targeted.


In some embodiments, the dosage form is an inhaled aerosol containing the composition of the present for nasal, tracheal, or bronchial delivery. In some embodiments, the dosage form can be provided in lozenges for oral, tracheal, or esophageal application. In some embodiments, the dosage form can be supplied in liquid, tablet or capsule form for administration to the stomach or intestines. In some embodiments, the dosage form can be supplied in suppository form for rectal or vaginal application. In some embodiments, the dosage form can be can even be delivered to the eye by use of creams, drops, or even injection.


In some embodiments, the administration of a dose of the therapeutic agent may be repeated.


Subject

Any subject in need thereof can be treated with the method of the present application. In some embodiments, the subject has been determined to likely respond to the therapeutic agent. For example, the subject may have, is suffering from, or suspected of having a disease or condition. The therapeutic or prophylactic agent(s) as described elsewhere herein may be effective for providing a therapeutic effect for the subject by a variety of mechanisms, for example, via gene therapy (e.g., requiring repeated administration), altered (e.g., increased) protein production, (e.g., in vivo) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell generation, immuno-oncology, vaccine-based approach, reactivation of tumor suppressors, or other mechanisms.


In some embodiments, the subject has been determined to have a (e.g., missense or nonsense) mutation in a target gene. In some embodiments, the mutation in the target gene is associated with a genetic disease or disorder.


In some embodiments, the subject has been determined to exhibit an aberrant expression or activity of a protein or polynucleotide that corresponds to a target gene. In some embodiments, the aberrant expression or activity of the protein or polynucleotide is associated with a genetic disease or disorder


In some embodiments, the subject is selected from the group consisting of mouse, rat, monkey, and human. In some embodiments, the subject is a human.


In another aspect, provided herein is a method for potent delivery of a therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) to a cell comprising contacting the cell with the pharmaceutical composition of the present application. In some embodiments of the method, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) assembled with a lipid composition as described in the present application, wherein the lipid composition comprises (i) an ionizable cationic lipid; and (iii) a selective organ targeting (SORT) lipid separate from the ionizable cationic lipid. The lipid composition may further comprise a phospholipid.


In some embodiments of the method, the cell is isolated from the subject. In some embodiments of the method, the cell is a cell line.


In another aspect, provided herein is a method for targeted delivery of a therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) to a cell type comprising contacting the cell with the pharmaceutical composition of the present application. In some embodiments of the method, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a therapeutic agent (or prophylactic agent) assembled with a lipid composition as described in the present application, wherein the lipid composition comprises (i) an ionizable cationic lipid; and (ii) a selective organ targeting (SORT) lipid separate from the ionizable cationic lipid. The lipid composition may further comprise a phospholipid.


In some embodiments, the contacting is ex vivo. In some embodiments, the contacting is in vitro. In some embodiments, the contacting is in vivo. In some embodiments, the contacting comprises administering to a subject the composition comprising the therapeutic agent assembled with the lipid composition.


The following are examples of compositions and evaluations of compositions of the disclosure. It is understood that various other embodiments may be practiced, given the general description provided above.


LIST OF EMBODIMENTS

The following list of embodiments of the invention are to be considered as disclosing various features of the invention, which features can be considered to be specific to the particular embodiment under which they are discussed, or which are combinable with the various other features as listed in other embodiments. Thus, simply because a feature is discussed under one particular embodiment does not necessarily limit the use of that feature to that embodiment.


Embodiment 1. A composition formulated for systemic (e.g., intravenous) administration, the composition comprising a therapeutic agent assembled with a lipid composition that comprises:

    • (i) an ionizable cationic lipid;
    • (ii) a polymer-conjugated lipid; and
    • (iii) a selective organ targeting (SORT) lipid has the structure of Formula (IA), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, tautomer thereof:




embedded image




    •  wherein:

    • R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl(C8-C24), alkenyl(C8-C24), or a substituted version of either group;

    • R3, R3′, and R3″ are each independently alkyl(C≤6) or substituted alkyl(C≤6); and

    • X is a monovalent anion.





Embodiment 2. The composition of Embodiment 1, wherein the SORT lipid having the structure of Formula (IA) is selected from the group consisting of:




embedded image


Embodiment 3. A composition formulated for systemic (e.g., intravenous) administration, the composition comprising a therapeutic agent assembled with a lipid composition that comprises:

    • (i) an ionizable cationic lipid;
    • (ii) a polymer-conjugated lipid; and
    • (iii) a selective organ targeting (SORT) lipid has the structure of Formula (S-III), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, tautomer thereof:




embedded image




    •  wherein:
      • R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl(C8-C24), alkenyl(C8-C24), or a substituted version of either group;
      • R3, R3′, and R3″ are each independently alkyl(C≤6) or substituted alkyl(C≤6); and

    • X is a monovalent anion.





Embodiment 4. The composition of Embodiment 3, wherein the SORT lipid having the structure of Formula (S-III) is




embedded image


Embodiment 5. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-4, wherein the ionizable cationic lipid is a dendrimer or dendron of a generation (g) having a structural formula:




embedded image


or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

    • (a) the core comprises a structural formula (XCore):




embedded image




    • wherein:
      • Q is independently at each occurrence a covalent bond, —O—, —S—, —NR2—, or —CR3aR3b—;
      • R2 is independently at each occurrence R1g or -L2-NR1eR1f;
      • R3a and R3b are each independently at each occurrence hydrogen or an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C6, such as C1-C3) alkyl;
      • R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, R1e, R1f, and R1g (if present) are each independently at each occurrence a point of connection to a branch, hydrogen, or an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C12) alkyl;
      • L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence selected from a covalent bond, (e.g., C1-C12, such as C1-C6 or C1-C3) alkylene, (e.g., C1-C12, such as C1-C8 or C1-C6) heteroalkylene (e.g., C2-C8 alkyleneoxide, such as oligo(ethyleneoxide)), [(e.g., C1-C6) alkylene]-[(e.g., C4-C6) heterocycloalkyl]-[(e.g., C1-C6) alkylene], [(e.g., C1-C6) alkylene]-(arylene)-[(e.g., C1-C6) alkylene] (e.g., [(e.g., C1-C6) alkylene]-phenylene-[(e.g., C1-C6) alkylene]), (e.g., C4-C6) heterocycloalkyl, and arylene (e.g., phenylene); or,
      • alternatively, part of L1 form a (e.g., C4-C6) heterocycloalkyl (e.g., containing one or two nitrogen atoms and, optionally, an additional heteroatom selected from oxygen and sulfur) with one of R1c and R1d; and
      • x1 is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; and

    • (b) each branch of the plurality (N) of branches independently comprises a structural formula (XBranch):







embedded image




    • wherein:
      • * indicates a point of attachment of the branch to the core;
      • g is 1, 2, 3, or 4;
      • Z=2(g-1);
      • G=0, when g=1; or G=Σi=0i=g-2, when g≠1;

    • (c) each diacyl group independently comprises a structural formula







embedded image




    •  wherein:
      • * indicates a point of attachment of the diacyl group at the proximal end thereof,
      • ** indicates a point of attachment of the diacyl group at the distal end thereof,
      • Y3 is independently at each occurrence an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C12); alkylene, an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C12) alkenylene, or an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C12) arenylene;
      • A1 and A2 are each independently at each occurrence —O—, —S—, or —NR4—, wherein:
        • R4 is hydrogen or optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C6) alkyl;
      • m1 and m2 are each independently at each occurrence 1, 2, or 3; and
      • R3c, R3d, R3e, and R3f are each independently at each occurrence hydrogen or an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C8) alkyl; and

    • (d) each linker group independently comprises a structural formula







embedded image




    •  wherein:
      • ** indicates a point of attachment of the linker to a proximal diacyl group;
      • *** indicates a point of attachment of the linker to a distal diacyl group; and
      • Y1 is independently at each occurrence an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C12) alkylene, an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C12) alkenylene, or an optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C12) arenylene; and

    • (e) each terminating group is independently selected from optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C18, such as C4-C18) alkylthiol, and optionally substituted (e.g., C1-C18, such as C4-C18) alkenylthiol.





Embodiment 6. The composition of Embodiment 5, wherein x1 is 0, 1, 2, or 3.


Embodiment 7. The composition of Embodiment 5 or 6, wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, R1e, R1f, and R1g (if present) are each independently at each occurrence a point of connection to a branch (e.g., as indicated by *), hydrogen, or C1-C12 alkyl (e.g., C1-C8 alkyl, such as C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C3 alkyl), wherein the alkyl moiety is optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from —OH, C4-C8 (e.g., C4-C6) heterocycloalkyl (e.g., piperidinyl




embedded image


N—(C1-C3 alkyl)-piperidinyl




embedded image


piperazinyl




embedded image


N—(C1-C3 alkyl)-piperadizinyl




embedded image


morpholinyl




embedded image


N-pyrrolidinyl



embedded image


pyrrolidinyl




embedded image


or N—(C1-C3 alkyl)-pyrrolidinyl




embedded image


(e.g., C6-C10) aryl, and C3-C5 heteroaryl (e.g., imidazolyl




embedded image


or pyridinyl




embedded image


Embodiment 8. The method of Embodiment 7, wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, R1e, R1f, and R1g (if present) are each independently at each occurrence a point of connection to a branch (e.g., as indicated by *), hydrogen, or C1-C12 alkyl (e.g., C1-C8 alkyl, such as C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C3 alkyl), wherein the alkyl moiety is optionally substituted with one substituent —OH.


Embodiment 9. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-8, wherein R3a and R3b are each independently at each occurrence hydrogen.


Embodiment 10. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-9, wherein the plurality (N) of branches comprises at least 3 (e.g., at least 4, or at least 5) branches.


Embodiment 11. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-10, wherein g=1; G=0; and Z=1.


Embodiment 12. The composition of Embodiment 11, wherein each branch of the plurality of branches comprises a structural formula




embedded image


Embodiment 13. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-10, wherein g=2; G=1; and Z=2.


Embodiment 14. The composition of Embodiment 13, wherein each branch of the plurality of branches comprises a structural formula




embedded image


Embodiment 15. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-14, wherein the core comprises a structural formula:




embedded image


Embodiment 16. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-14, wherein the core comprises a structural formula:




embedded image


Embodiment 17. The composition of Embodiment 16, wherein the core comprises a structural formula:




embedded image


Embodiment 18. The composition of Embodiment 16, wherein the core comprises a structural formula:




embedded image


such as




embedded image


or


Embodiment 19. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-14, wherein the core comprises a structural formula:




embedded image


wherein Q′ is —NR2— or —CR3aR3b—; q1 and q2 are each independently 1 or 2.


Embodiment 20. The composition of Embodiment 19, wherein the core comprises a structural formula:




embedded image


Embodiment 21. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-14, wherein the core comprises a structural formula




embedded image


wherein ring A is an optionally substituted aryl or an optionally substituted (e.g., C3-C12, such as C3-C5) heteroaryl.


Embodiment 22. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-14, wherein the core comprises has a structural formula




embedded image


Embodiment 23. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-14, wherein the core is selected from those set forth in Table 1 or a subset thereof.


Embodiment 24. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-14, wherein the core comprises a structural formula selected from the group consisting of:




embedded image


embedded image


embedded image


embedded image


embedded image


and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein * indicates a point of attachment of the core to a branch of the plurality of branches.


Embodiment 25. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-14, wherein the core comprises a structural formula selected from the group consisting of:




embedded image


and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein * indicates a point of attachment of the core to a branch of the plurality of branches.


Embodiment 26. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-14, wherein the core has the structure




embedded image


wherein * indicates a point of attachment of the core to a branch of the plurality of branches or H.


Embodiment 27. The composition of Embodiment 26, wherein at least 2 branches are attached to the core.


Embodiment 28. The composition of Embodiment 26, wherein at least 3 branches are attached to the core.


Embodiment 29. The composition of Embodiment 26, wherein at least 4 branches are attached to the core.


Embodiment 30. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-14, wherein the core has the structure




embedded image


wherein * indicates a point of attachment of the core to a branch of the plurality of branches or H.


Embodiment 31. The composition of Embodiment 30, wherein at least 4 branches are attached to the core.


Embodiment 32. The composition of Embodiment 30, wherein at least 5 branches are attached to the core.


Embodiment 33. The composition of Embodiment 30, wherein at least 6 branches are attached to the core.


Embodiment 34. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-33, wherein A1 is —O— or —NH—.


Embodiment 35. The composition of Embodiment 34, wherein A1 is —O—.


Embodiment 36. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-35, wherein A2 is —O— or —NH—.


Embodiment 37. The composition of any Embodiment 36, wherein A2 is —O—.


Embodiment 38. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-37, wherein Y3 is C1-C12 (e.g., C1-C6, such as C1-C3) alkylene.


Embodiment 39. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-38, wherein the diacyl group independently at each occurrence comprises a structural formula




embedded image


such as




embedded image


optionally wherein R3c, R3d, R3e, and R3f are each independently at each occurrence hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl.


Embodiment 40. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-39, wherein L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence selected from a covalent bond, C1-C6 alkylene (e.g., C1-C3 alkylene), C2-C12 (e.g., C2-C8) alkyleneoxide (e.g., oligo(ethyleneoxide), such as —(CH2CH2O)1-4—(CH2CH2)—), [(C1-C4) alkylene]-[(C4-C6) heterocycloalkyl]-[(C1-C4) alkylene]




embedded image


and [(C1-C4) alkylene]-phenylene-[(C1-C4) alkylene]




embedded image


Embodiment 41. The composition of Embodiment 40, wherein L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence selected from C1-C6 alkylene (e.g., C1-C3 alkylene), —(C1-C3 alkylene-O)1-4—(C1-C3 alkylene), —(C1-C3 alkylene)-phenylene-(C1-C3 alkylene)-, and —(C1-C3 alkylene)-piperazinyl-(C1-C3 alkylene)-.


Embodiment 42. The composition of Embodiment 40, wherein L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence C1-C6 alkylene (e.g., C1-C3 alkylene).


Embodiment 43. The composition of Embodiment 40, wherein L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence C2-C12 (e.g., C2-C8) alkyleneoxide (e.g., —(C1-C3 alkylene-O)1-4—(C1-C3 alkylene)).


Embodiment 44. The composition of Embodiment 40, wherein L0, L1, and L2 are each independently at each occurrence selected from [(C1-C4) alkylene]-[(C4-C6) heterocycloalkyl]-[(C1-C4) alkylene] (e.g., —(C1-C3 alkylene)-phenylene-(C1-C3 alkylene)-) and [(C1-C4) alkylene]-[(C4-C6) heterocycloalkyl]-[(C1-C4) alkylene] (e.g., —(C1-C3 alkylene)-piperazinyl-(C1-C3 alkylene)-).


Embodiment 45. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-44, wherein each terminating group is independently C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkenylthiol or C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkylthiol, wherein the alkyl or alkenyl moiety is optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from halogen, C6-C12 aryl (e.g., phenyl), C1-C12 (e.g., C1-C8) alkylamino (e.g., C1-C6 mono-alkylamino (such as —NHCH2CH2CH2CH3) or C1-C8 di-alkylamino (such as




embedded image


C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl (e.g., N-pyrrolidinyl




embedded image


N-piperidinyl



embedded image


N-azepanyl



embedded image


—OH, —C(O)OH, —C(O)N(C1-C3 alkyl)-(C1-C6 alkylene)-(C1-C12 alkylamino (e.g., mono- or di-alkylamino))




embedded image


—C(O)N(C1-C3 alkyl)-(C1-C6 alkylene)-(C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl)




embedded image


—C(O)—(C1-C12 alkylamino (e.g., mono- or di-alkylamino)), and —C(O)—(C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl)




embedded image


wherein the C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl moiety of any of the preceding substituents is optionally substituted with C1-C3 alkyl or C1-C3 hydroxyalkyl.


Embodiment 46. The composition of Embodiment 45, wherein each terminating group is independently C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkylthiol, wherein the alkyl moiety is optionally substituted with one or more (e.g., one) substituents each independently selected from C6-C12 aryl (e.g., phenyl), C1-C12 (e.g., C1-C8) alkylamino (e.g., C1-C6 mono-alkylamino (such as —NHCH2CH2CH2CH3) or C1-C8 di-alkylamino (such as




embedded image


C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl (e.g., N-pyrrolidinyl




embedded image


N-piperidinyl



embedded image


N-azepanyl



embedded image


—OH, —C(O)OH, —C(O)N(C1-C3 alkyl)-(C1-C6 alkylene)-(C1-C12 alkylamino (e.g., mono- or di-alkylamino))




embedded image


—C(O)N(C1-C3 alkyl)-(C1-C6 alkylene)-(C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl)




embedded image


and —C(O)—(C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl)




embedded image


wherein the C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl moiety of any of the preceding substituents is optionally substituted with C1-C3 alkyl or C1-C3 hydroxyalkyl.


Embodiment 47. The composition of Embodiment 46, wherein each terminating group is independently C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkylthiol, wherein the alkyl moiety is optionally substituted with one substituent —OH.


Embodiment 48. The composition of Embodiment 46, wherein each terminating group is independently C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkylthiol, wherein the alkyl moiety is optionally substituted with one substituent selected from C1-C12 (e.g., C1-C8) alkylamino (e.g., C1-C6 mono-alkylamino (such as —NHCH2CH2CH2CH3) or C1-C8 di-alkylamino (such as




embedded image


and C4-C6 N-heterocycloalkyl (e.g., N-pyrrolidinyl




embedded image


N-piperidinyl



embedded image


N-azepanyl



embedded image


Embodiment 49. The composition of Embodiment 45, wherein each terminating group is independently C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkenylthiol or C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkylthiol.


Embodiment 50. The composition of Embodiment 47 or 49, wherein each terminating group is independently C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkylthiol.


Embodiment 51. The composition of Embodiment 50, wherein each terminating group is independently selected from the group consisting of:




embedded image


Embodiment 52. The composition of any one of Embodiments 5-44, wherein each terminating group is independently selected from those set forth in Table 3 or a subset thereof.


Embodiment 53. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-4, wherein the ionizable cationic lipid is selected from those set forth in Table 4, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, or a subset of the lipids and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.


Embodiment 54. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-4, wherein the ionizable cationic lipid is selected from those set forth in Table 4 or Table 5, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, or a subset of the lipids and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.


Embodiment 55. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-54, wherein the lipid composition further comprises a phospholipid.


Embodiment 56. The composition of Embodiment 55, wherein the phospholipid is at a molar percentage from about 8% to about 23%.


Embodiment 57. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-56, wherein the lipid composition further comprises a steroid or steroid derivative.


Embodiment 58. The composition of Embodiment 57, wherein the steroid or steroid derivative is at a molar percentage from about 15% to about 46%.


Embodiment 59. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-58, wherein the ionizable cationic lipid is at a molar percentage from about 5% to about 30%.


Embodiment 60. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-59, wherein the polymer-conjugated lipid is at a molar percentage from about 0.5% to about 10%.


Embodiment 61. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-59, wherein the polymer-conjugated lipid is at a molar percentage from about 1% to about 10%.


Embodiment 62. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-59, wherein the polymer-conjugated lipid is at a molar percentage from about 2% to about 10%.


Embodiment 63. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-62, wherein the SORT lipid is at a molar percentage from about 20% to about 65%.


Embodiment 64. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-63, wherein the therapeutic agent is a polynucleotide; and wherein a molar ratio of nitrogen in the lipid composition to phosphate in the polynucleotide (N/P ratio) is no more than about 20:1.


Embodiment 65. The composition of Embodiment 64, wherein the N/P ratio is from about 5:1 to about 20:1.


Embodiment 66. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-65, wherein a molar ratio of the therapeutic agent to total lipids of said lipid composition is no more than about 1:1, 1:10, 1:50, or 1:100.


Embodiment 67. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-66, wherein at least about 85% of said therapeutic agent is encapsulated in particles of said lipid compositions.


Embodiment 68. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-67, wherein said lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles characterized by one or more characteristics of the following:

    • (1) a (e.g., average) size of 100 nanometers (nm) or less;
    • (2) a polydispersity index (PDI) of no more than about 0.2; and
    • (3) a negative zeta potential of −10 millivolts (mV) to 10 mV.


Embodiment 69. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-68, wherein said lipid composition has an apparent ionization constant (pKa) outside a range of 6 to 7.


Embodiment 70. The composition of Embodiment 69, wherein said apparent pKa of said lipid composition is of about 7 or higher.


Embodiment 71. The composition of Embodiment 69, wherein said apparent pKa of said lipid composition is of about 8 or higher.


Embodiment 72. The composition of Embodiment 69, wherein said apparent pKa of said lipid composition is from about 8 to about 13.


Embodiment 73. A method for targeted delivery of a therapeutic agent to a spleen cell, the method comprising (e.g., systemically) administering a composition according to any one of Embodiments 1-72, thereby providing an effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said spleen cell of said subject that is at least 1.1-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a lung cell of said subject.


Embodiment 74. The method of Embodiment 73, wherein the effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said spleen cell of said subject that is at least 1.1-fold greater, at least 2.5-fold greater, at least 3.5-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 5.5-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 15-fold greater, at least 20-fold greater, or at least 50-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a lung cell of said subject.


Embodiment 75. A method for targeted delivery of a therapeutic agent to a lung cell, the method comprising (e.g., systemically) administering a composition according to any one of Embodiments 1-72, thereby providing an effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said lung cell of said subject that is at least 1.1-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a spleen cell of said subject.


Embodiment 76. The method of Embodiment 75, wherein said effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said lung cell of said subject is at least 1.1-fold greater, at least 5-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 15-fold greater, at least 18-fold greater, at least 20-fold greater, or at least about 50-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a liver cell of said subject.


EXAMPLES
Example 1: Preparation of DOTAP or DODAP Modified Lipid Nanoparticles

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are the most efficacious carrier class for in vivo nucleic acid delivery. Historically, effective LNPs are composed of 4 components: an ionizable cationic lipid, zwitterionic phospholipid, cholesterol, and lipid poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). However, these LNPs result in only general delivery of nucleic acids, rather than organ or tissue targeted delivery. LNPs typically delivery RNAs only to the liver. Therefore, new formulations of LNPs were sought in an effort to provide targeted nucleic acid delivery.


The four canonical types of lipids were mixed in a 15:15:30:3 molar ratio, with or without the addition of a permanently cationic lipid. Briefly, LNPs were prepared by mixing a dendrimer or dendron lipid (ionizable cationic), DOPE (zwitterionic), cholesterol, DMG-PEG, and DOTAP (permanently cationic). Alternatively, DOTAP can be substituted for DODAP to generate an LNP comprising DODAP. The structure of DODAP and DODAP are shown in FIG. 1. Various dendrimer or dendron lipids that may be used are shown in FIG. 2.


For preparation of the LNP formulation, a dendrimer or dendron lipid, DOPE, Cholesterol and DMG-PEG were dissolved in ethanol at desired molar ratios. The mRNA was dissolved in citrate buffer (10 mM, pH 4.0). The mRNA was then diluted into the lipids solution to achieve a weight ratio of 40:1 (total lipids: mRNA) by rapidly mixing the mRNA into the lipid solution at a volume ratio of 3:1 (mRNA: lipids, v/v). This solution was then incubated for 10 min at room temperature. For formation of DOTAP modified LNP formulations, mRNA was dissolved in 1×PBS or citrate buffer (10 mM, pH 4.0), and mixed rapidly into ethanol containing 5A2-SC8, DOPE, Cholesterol, DMG-PEG and DOTAP, fixing the weight ratio of 40:1 (total lipids:mRNA) and volume ratio of 3:1 (mRNA:lipids). Formulations are named X % DOTAP Y (or X % DODAP Y) where X represents the DOTAP (or DODAP) molar percentage in total lipids, and Y represents the type of dendrimer or dendron lipid. Alternatively, formulation may be named Y X % DOTAP or Y X % DODAP where X represents the DOTAP (or DODAP) molar percentage in total lipids, and Y represents the type of dendrimer or dendron lipid.


Example 2: SORT LNP Stability

Example lipid compositions as described herein were generated using either a microfluidic mixing method or a cross/tee mixing method and tested for stability. The physical characteristics including size, polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta-potential were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) from various example lipid (LNP) compositions (3 separate measurements for each formulation) and illustrated in Table 7.


The encapsulation efficiency was tested using a Ribogreen RNA assay (Zhao et al., 2016). Briefly, mRNA was encapsulated with >95% efficiency in LNPs when the mRNA was dissolved in acidic buffer (10 mM citrate, pH 4). The characteristics were observed over 28 days for the two types of LNPs (5A2-SC8 with 20% DODAP (“Liver-SORT) and 5A2-SC8 with 50% DOTAP (“Lung-SORT”)). FIG. 3 illustrates changes in the physical characteristics of the lipid compositions over a duration of 28 days.









TABLE 7







SORT LNP characteristics












Size

Zeta
Encapsulation



(nm)
PDI
(mV)
Efficiency (%)
















Lung-SORT -
82.3
0.10
3.0
100



microfluidic







Lung-SORT -
78.1
0.09
2.2
100



cross/tee mixing







Liver-SORT -
59.1
0.10
−2.3
97



microfluidic







Liver-SORT -
60.0
0.11
−30
96



cross/tee mixing









Example 3: Lung-SORT IV Study

This example compiles several studies of administration of Lung-SORTs intravenously and systemically to multiple species (e.g., mice, rats, dogs, and non-human primate (NHP) (e.g., Rhesus macaques, Cynomolgus macaques)).


Summary

Most of the test subjects were administered a single dose of luciferase mRNA encapsulated in a Lung-SORT LNP (e.g., 5A2-SC8 with 50% DOTAP). Some of the test subjected were administered two doses. The low doses administered to dogs and NHP was translated from mice studies. In this study, Whole animal imaging, organ imaging, blood chemistry, hematology, immunoreactivity, complement, and tolerability parameters were assessed. The Lung-SORT LNP showed selectivity across species to target lung and avoid other organ and tissues. Various DOTAP alternative LNPs (e.g., 14:0 TAP) were tested in vivo (e.g., mice) and in vitro, e.g., in hBEs and exhibit improved tolerability, higher potency, and similarly or better selectivity. Animal experiments (e.g., in dogs) also tested used a second Lung-SORT with a 14:0 TAP (SORT lipid) (“RTX0031”), formulation highly potent, very selective for lung targeting (results similar for IV bolus and IV infusion, with no signs of in-infusion related reactions (IRRs).


The example “Lung-SORT LNP” tested herein was a 5-component lipid nanoparticle composition comprising about 11.9% 5A2-SC8 (ionizable cationic lipid), about 50% DOTAP (SORT lipid), about 11.9% DOPE lipid, about 23.8% cholesterol, and about 2.4% DMG-PEG (PEG conjugated lipid), wherein each lipid component is defined as mol % of the total lipid composition.


The example DOTAP alternative LNP replaces the DOTAP (SORT lipid) with 14:0 TAP as the SORT lipid (referred to “RTX0031 LNP”). This RTX0031 LNP composition tested herein was a 5-component lipid nanoparticle composition comprising about 14.3% 5A2-SC8 (ionizable cationic lipid), about 40% 14:0 TAP (SORT lipid), about 14.3% DOPE, about 28.6% cholesterol, and about 2.8% DMG-PEG (PEG conjugated lipid), wherein each lipid component is defined as mol % of the total lipid composition.


NHP IV Lung-SORT LNP Study

Lung-SORT LNP containing 0.1 mg/kg luciferase mRNA were delivered to NHPs via IV bolus over 5 min without any pre-medication (e.g., steroids). Whole body bioluminescence imaging was taken 4 hr post IV bolus administration. The study showed the Lung-SORT LNP formulation was active in NHPs and highly potent as the delivery of mRNA was outside the liver and significant signal was observed in the lungs. Additionally, tolerability of the Lung-SORT LNP was assessed in NHPs. Without wishing to be bound to any theory, DOTAP and/or the method of administration may play a factor in the tolerability.


The RTX0031 LNP was tested tested herein. Additionally, therapeutically relevant parameters were further tested (e.g., slow infusion with premedication as needed).









TABLE 8





Parameters of Beagle Lung SORT LNP


(5A2-SC8 with 50% DOTAP) Study
















Status
In-life complete


Formulation
Lung-SORT LNP



(5A2-SC8 with 50% DOTAP)


Method of Administration
IV bolus (0.5 mL, 5 min push)


Dose
0.01 mg/kg


N
2 (1 M, 2 yrs old, 8-10 kg)


Readouts
Blood chem, hematology, cytokines,



complement, IVIS of explanted organs.










FIGS. 4A and 4B shows IVIS organ imaging of spleen, liver and lung of a female dog and male dog after the administration of Lung-SORT LNP (5A2-SC8 with 50% DOTAP). The higher signal seen in the lungs showed that the Lung-SORT LNP was selective for lung delivery.


Both dogs showed signs consistent with mild infusion-related reactions. The female (first) dog had very mild tachycardia compared to her baseline. The blood chemistry of the female dog showed only small changes, 2-fold increase in AST, CK, and LDH. The hematology assessment showed no significant changes. The male dog showed mucosal hyperemia and mild lethargy/muscle weakness (ventroflexion of the neck) in the first 15 min post-injection, which resolved over the first half hour post-infusion and were not severe enough to warrant intervention. The male (second) dog had mild bradycardia compared to the baseline and was observed in the first hour-post infusion.









TABLE 9





Cynomolgus Lung-SORT LNP (5A2-


SC8 with 50% DOTAP) Study
















Status
In-life complete


Formulation
Lung-SORT LNP



5A2-SC8 with 50% DOTAP


Method of Administration
IV bolus (5 min push)


Dose
0.01 mg/kg


Number of Doses
2 (3 weeks apart)


N
2 (Female, ~3 kg)


Readouts
Blood chem, hematology, cytokines,



complement, IVIS of explanted organs.










FIGS. 5A and 5B shows IVIS organ imaging of spleen, liver and lung of both Cynomolgus NHPs after the administration of the Lung-SORT LNP (5A2-SC8 with 50% DOTAP). The higher signal seen in the lungs showed that the Lung-SORT LNP was selective for lung delivery.


No adverse reactions were observed during or after the first or second administration of the Lung-SORT formulation. The blood chemistry of the Cynomolgus NHPs test subjects showed an increase in AST, ALT, CK and LDH after the first dose and showed an increase in LDH and CO2 after the second dose. The hematology of the Cynomolgus NHPs test subjects showed an increase in neutrophils and decrease in lymphocytes and eosinophils after the first and second doses.


Lung-SORT LNP (5A2-SC8 with 50% DOTAP) Delivered as IV Bolus in Rats, Dogs, Rhesus Macaques and Cynomolgus Macaques


The Lung-SORT LNP was well tolerated when delivered as IV bolus without any premeds and shown no adverse reactions during 2 administrations to Cynomolgus macaques and only mild signs of IRRs in dogs after a single administration. The AST, CK, LDH, and changes in neutrophils/lymphocytes were good indication of tolerability blood markers across the tested species.


The tested rats did not provide as favorable results with differences in potency and toxicity in comparison to the tested mice, dogs, and NHPs subjects, only showing signs of toxicity at 1 mg/mL doses.


RTX0031 LNP (DOTAP Alternative for Lung-SORT) in Mice Study


FIG. 6A shows IVIS organ imaging of spleen, liver, kidneys and lung of three mice after the administration of luciferase mRNA formulated with the RTX0031 LNP after 5 hrs. The higher signal seen in the lungs compared to the liver, spleen and kidneys show that the RTX0031 LNP was selective for lung delivery. FIG. 6B quantitatively displays the signal obtained at the lungs, spleen, and liver of the 3 mice. The in vivo study may provide information that RTX0031 LNP had improved tolerability and potency.


RTX0031 LNP (14:0 TAP as SORT Lipid) Versus Lung-SORT LNP (DOTAP as SORT Lipid) in hBEs Study


RTX0031 LNP and Lung-SORT LNP were tested in hBEs for tolerability and potency. The hBEs were dosed with apical liquid with 12 ug of formulated Tomato red (TR) mRNA formulated in the Lung-SORT and RTX0031 LNP formulations. The TR expression was assessed by fluorescence microscopy 24 hrs post treatment. FIG. 7A shows the TR intensity expressed in the treated hBEs of the two LNPs compositions tested. The RTX0031 LNP showed higher TR intensity compared to the Lung-SORT LNP (5A2-SC8 with 50% DOTAP) formulation. Additionally, the cytotoxicity (LDH release) was assessed after 48 hrs post treatment. FIG. 7B shows the % LDH released from the treated hBEs of the two LNP compositions. The Lung-SORT LNP (5A2-SC8 with 50% DOTAP) formulation showed a higher % of LDH released than the RTX0031 LNP formulation. The in vitro study may provide information that RTX0031 LNP formulation had improved tolerability and potency.









TABLE 10





LNP Study in Beagles with


















Status
In-life complete



Formulation
RTX0031 LNP




(40% 14:0 TAP)



Method of
1) IV bolus, 5 min push



Administration1, 2
2) IV infusion, ~30 min + premed



Dose
0.01 mg/kg*



Number of Doses
2 (3 weeks apart)



N
4 (2 per group)



Readouts
Blood chem, hematology, cytokines,




complement, IVIS of explanted organs.






1Injection volume: 0.5 mL for IV bolus, 10-15 mL for IV infusion




2Pre-medications to mitigate IRRs were: dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg IV, acetaminophen 10 mg/kg PO, Diphenhydramine 1 mg/kg IV, Famotidine 0.5 mg/kg IV slow bolus



*RTX0031 LNP was about 2-fold more potent than the Lung-SORT LNP (5A2-SC8 with 50% DOTAP) in mice







FIG. 8A shows IVIS organ imaging of spleen, liver, and lung of two beagles after the IV bolus administration of luciferase mRNA formulated in the RTX0031 LNP. The male dog had some hypersalivation shortly after the TA treatment that was observed for less than one to two minutes. Female dog had no signs of adverse reactions during or after TA treatment. For both dogs, temperatures, heart rate, and respiratory rates showed only minor changes and mainly related to stress due to handling. The female dog experienced a seizure during luciferin administration. The blood chemistry showed an increase in ALT by ˜3-old in the male dog. The hematology showed only small changes, particularly decreases in lymphocytes and eosinophils in the male dog.



FIG. 8B shows IVIS organ imaging of spleen, liver, and lung of two beagles after the IV infusion of luciferase mRNA formulated in the RTX0031 LNP with pre-meds. Both dogs did not show any clinical observations or signs of adverse reactions during or after administration of TA. One of the dogs experienced a seizure during luciferin administration. The blood chemistry showed an increase in ALT (2-fold), CK (3-fold) and LDH (5-fold) in the female dog. The hematology only showed small changes, particularly decreases in lymphocytes and eosinophils.



FIG. 9 shows a compiled panel of IVIS organ imaging of spleen, liver, and lung of dogs and NHPs as seen in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 8A, and 8B.









TABLE 11







Compiled Beagle and NHP Lung-SORT LNP and RTX0031 LNP Study Models









Model













Rhesus
Cynomolgus
Beagle
Beagle
Beagle



(M)
(F)
(1M, 1F)
(1M, 1F)
(1M, 1F)





Formulation
Lung SORT LNP
Lung SORT LNP
Lung SORT LNP
RTX0031 LNP
RTX0031



(5A2-SC8 50%)
(5A2-SC8 50%)
(5A2-SC8 50%)
(14:0 TAP)
(14:0 TAP)


N
1
2
2
2
2


Delivery
IV bolus
IV bolus
IV bolus
IV bolus
IV infusion



(5 min)
(5 min)
(5 min)
(5 min)
(30 min) +



single dose
Dosed 2x, 3
Single dose
Single dose
premeds,




wks apart


single dose


IRRs
Yes, moderate
No
Yes (in 1 of 2),
Yes (in 1 of 2),
No



to severe

mild
very mild









Example 4: Organ Selective Tropism of Spleen SORT Formulations and Lung SORT Formulations

Luc mRNA/LNP comprising 5A2-SC8 lipid and 40% of a SORT lipid as described in Table 12 were intravenously administered to mice at 0.05 mpk dose. Each SORT lipid investigated in Table 12 had n=4 mice per group. After 5 hr post administration of LNPs, the organs were excised and the kidneys, lungs, spleen, and liver were IVIS imaged to determine the selective organ tropism of the differ SORT lipids.


The exemplary LNP tested herein were 5 component lipid nanoparticle composition comprising about 14.3% 5A2-SC8 (ionizable cationic lipid), about 40% SORT lipid from Table 12, about 14.3% DOPE, about 28.6% cholesterol, and about 2.8% DMG-PEG (PEG conjugated lipid), wherein each lipid component is defined as mol % of the total lipid composition









TABLE 12







SORT LNPs with different SORT lipid












SORT Lipid
Size (nm)
PDI
Encapsulation (%)















12:0 EPC
45.3
0.16
97



14:0 EPC
50.7
0.10
96



14:1 EPC
52.9
0.13
94



16:0 EPC
60.9
0.16
93



18:0 EPC
80.3
0.08
95



18:1 EPC
56.8
0.10
95



16:0-18:1 EPC
50.7
0.09
95



14:0 TAP
104.4
0.15
96



16:0 TAP
133.9
0.12
97



18:0 TAP
241.0
0.13
96



18:1 DOTAP
61.0
0.12
95



18:0 DDAB
133.8
0.17
96



18:1 DOTMA
66.8
0.03
95









The IVIS images of FIG. 11A displays the varying organ selectivity of 12:0 EPC, 14:0 EPC, 14:1 EPC, 16:0 EPC, 18:0 EPC, 18:1 EPC, and 16:0-18:1 EPC SORT lipids of SORT LNPs delivered to the mice. The higher intensities localized in the spleen and lungs vs. the liver displays organ targeting tropism of SORT LNPs and influence of SORT lipids. FIG. 11B quantitively displays the IVIS data for the liver, spleen, and lungs of the mice with the different SORT lipids tested. Each tested EPC lipid has a higher selectivity to spleen and lungs vs. liver in all cases tested as seen with the higher luminescence intensity. Certain EPC lipids provides more effective delivery of the payload and levels of selectivity between the lungs and spleen.


The IVIS images of FIG. 12A displays the varying organ selectivity of 14:0 TAP, 16:0 TAP, 18:0 TAP, 18:1, TAP, 18:0 DDAB, and 18:1 DOTMA SORT lipids of SORT LNPs delivered to the mice. The higher intensities localized in the lungs vs. the liver and spleen displays organ targeting tropism of SORT LNPs and influence of SORT lipids. FIG. 12B quantitively displays the IVIS data for the liver, spleen, and lungs of the mice with the different SORT lipids tested. Most of the tested SORT lipid has a higher selectivity to lungs vs. liver and spleen as seen with the higher luminescence intensity. Certain SORT lipids provide more effective delivery of the payload and levels of selectivity between the lungs and spleen.


While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. It is not intended that the invention be limited by the specific examples provided within the specification. While the invention has been described with reference to the aforementioned specification, the descriptions and illustrations of the embodiments herein are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Furthermore, it shall be understood that all aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific depictions, configurations or relative proportions set forth herein which depend upon a variety of conditions and variables. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the invention shall also cover any such alternatives, modifications, variations or equivalents. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

Claims
  • 1. A composition formulated for systemic (e.g., intravenous) administration, the composition comprising a therapeutic agent assembled with a lipid composition that comprises: (i) an ionizable cationic lipid;(ii) a polymer-conjugated lipid; and(iii) a selective organ targeting (SORT) lipid has the structure of Formula (IA), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, tautomer thereof:
  • 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the SORT lipid having the structure of Formula (IA) is selected from the group consisting of:
  • 3. A composition formulated for systemic (e.g., intravenous) administration, the composition comprising a therapeutic agent assembled with a lipid composition that comprises: (i) an ionizable cationic lipid;(ii) a polymer-conjugated lipid; and(iii) a selective organ targeting (SORT) lipid has the structure of Formula (S-III), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, tautomer thereof:
  • 4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the SORT lipid having the structure of Formula (S-III) is
  • 5. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the ionizable cationic lipid is a dendrimer or dendron of a generation (g) having a structural formula:
  • 6. The composition of claim 5, wherein x1 is 0, 1, 2, or 3.
  • 7. The composition of claim 5, wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, R1e, R1f, and R1g (if present) are each independently at each occurrence a point of connection to a branch (e.g., as indicated by *), hydrogen, or C1-C12 alkyl (e.g., C1-C8 alkyl, such as C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C3 alkyl), wherein the alkyl moiety is optionally substituted with one or more substituents each independently selected from —OH, C4-C8 (e.g., C4-C6) heterocycloalkyl (e.g., piperidinyl
  • 8. The method of claim 7, wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, R1e, R1f, and R1g (if present) are each independently at each occurrence a point of connection to a branch (e.g., as indicated by *), hydrogen, or C1-C12 alkyl (e.g., C1-C8 alkyl, such as C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C3 alkyl), wherein the alkyl moiety is optionally substituted with one substituent —OH.
  • 9. The composition of claim 5, wherein R3a and R3b are each independently at each occurrence hydrogen.
  • 10. The composition of claim 5, wherein the plurality (N) of branches comprises at least 3 (e.g., at least 4, or at least 5) branches.
  • 11. The composition of claim 5, wherein g=1; G=0; and Z=1.
  • 12. The composition of claim 11, wherein each branch of the plurality of branches comprises a structural formula
  • 13. The composition of claim 5, wherein g=2; G=1; and Z=2.
  • 14. The composition of claim 13, wherein each branch of the plurality of branches comprises a structural formula
  • 15. The composition of claim 5, wherein the core is selected from those set forth in Table 1 or a subset thereof.
  • 16. The composition of claim 5, wherein the core comprises a structural formula selected from the group consisting of:
  • 17. The composition of claim 5, wherein the core has the structure
  • 18. The composition of claim 17, wherein at least 2 branches are attached to the core.
  • 19. The composition of claim 17, wherein at least 3 branches are attached to the core.
  • 20. The composition of claim 17, wherein at least 4 branches are attached to the core.
  • 21. The composition of claim 5, wherein the core has the structure
  • 22. The composition of claim 21, wherein at least 4 branches are attached to the core.
  • 23. The composition of claim 21, wherein at least 5 branches are attached to the core.
  • 24. The composition of claim 21, wherein at least 6 branches are attached to the core.
  • 25. The composition of claim 5, wherein A1 is —O— or —NH—.
  • 26. The composition of claim 25, wherein A1 is —O—.
  • 27. The composition of claim 5, wherein A2 is —O— or —NH—.
  • 28. The composition of claim 27, wherein A2 is —O—.
  • 29. The composition of claim 5, wherein Y3 is C1-C12 (e.g., C1-C6, such as C1-C3) alkylene.
  • 30. The composition of claim 5, wherein the diacyl group independently at each occurrence comprises a structural formula
  • 31. The composition of claim 5, wherein each terminating group is independently C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkenylthiol or C1-C18 (e.g., C4-C18) alkylthiol.
  • 32. The composition of claim 5, wherein each terminating group is independently selected from those set forth in Table 3 or a subset thereof.
  • 33. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the ionizable cationic lipid is selected from those set forth in Table 4, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, or a subset of the lipids and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • 34. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the ionizable cationic lipid is selected from those set forth in Table 4 or Table 5, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, or a subset of the lipids and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • 35. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the lipid composition further comprises a phospholipid.
  • 36. The composition of claim 35, wherein the phospholipid is at a molar percentage from about 8% to about 23%.
  • 37. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the lipid composition further comprises a steroid or steroid derivative.
  • 38. The composition of claim 37, wherein the steroid or steroid derivative is at a molar percentage from about 15% to about 46%.
  • 39. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the ionizable cationic lipid is at a molar percentage from about 5% to about 30%.
  • 40. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the polymer-conjugated lipid is at a molar percentage from about 0.5% to about 10%.
  • 41. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the polymer-conjugated lipid is at a molar percentage from about 1% to about 10%.
  • 42. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the polymer-conjugated lipid is at a molar percentage from about 2% to about 10%.
  • 43. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the SORT lipid is at a molar percentage from about 20% to about 65%.
  • 44. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the therapeutic agent is a polynucleotide; and wherein a molar ratio of nitrogen in the lipid composition to phosphate in the polynucleotide (N/P ratio) is no more than about 20:1.
  • 45. The composition of claim 44, wherein the N/P ratio is from about 5:1 to about 20:1.
  • 46. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein a molar ratio of the therapeutic agent to total lipids of said lipid composition is no more than about 1:1, 1:10, 1:50, or 1:100.
  • 47. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least about 85% of said therapeutic agent is encapsulated in particles of said lipid compositions.
  • 48. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein said lipid composition comprises a plurality of particles characterized by one or more characteristics of the following: (1) a (e.g., average) size of 100 nanometers (nm) or less;(2) a polydispersity index (PDI) of no more than about 0.2; and(3) a negative zeta potential of −10 millivolts (mV) to 10 mV.
  • 49. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein said lipid composition has an apparent ionization constant (pKa) outside a range of 6 to 7.
  • 50. The composition of claim 49, wherein said apparent pKa of said lipid composition is of about 7 or higher.
  • 51. The composition of claim 49, wherein said apparent pKa of said lipid composition is of about 8 or higher.
  • 52. The composition of claim 49, wherein said apparent pKa of said lipid composition is from about 8 to about 13.
  • 53. A method for targeted delivery of a therapeutic agent to a spleen cell, the method comprising (e.g., systemically) administering a composition according to claim 1 or 2, thereby providing an effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said spleen cell of said subject that is at least 1.1-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a lung cell of said subject.
  • 54. The method of claim 53, wherein the effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said spleen cell of said subject that is at least 1.1-fold greater, at least 2.5-fold greater, at least 3.5-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 5.5-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 15-fold greater, at least 20-fold greater, or at least 50-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a lung cell of said subject.
  • 55. A method for targeted delivery of a therapeutic agent to a lung cell, the method comprising (e.g., systemically) administering a composition according to claim 1 or 2, thereby providing an effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said lung cell of said subject that is at least 1.1-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a spleen cell of said subject.
  • 56. The method of claim 55, wherein said effective amount or activity of said therapeutic agent in said lung cell of said subject is at least 1.1-fold greater, at least 5-fold greater, at least 10-fold greater, at least 15-fold greater, at least 18-fold greater, at least 20-fold greater, or at least about 50-fold greater than a corresponding amount or activity of said therapeutic agent achieved in a liver cell of said subject.
CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/164,534 filed on Mar. 23, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/305,652 filed on Feb. 1, 2022, the entirety of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

PCT Information
Filing Document Filing Date Country Kind
PCT/US2022/021553 3/23/2022 WO
Provisional Applications (2)
Number Date Country
63164534 Mar 2021 US
63305652 Feb 2022 US