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Home > RNA Delivery > Cationic/Ionizable Lipids

Cationic/Ionizable Lipids

In the past five years, DC Chemicals has focused on research and development in the RNA delivery field, successfully developing over 500 cationic lipid structures and maintaining an inventory of over 200 cationic lipids. We collaborate with leading gene delivery companies and research institutions worldwide, and our products and services have received widespread acclaim.
DC Chemicals has accumulated substantial experience in the synthesis of lipids, particularly for highly complex lipid molecules. Our unique chemical synthesis and purification processes often circumvent patented and literature-reported routes, allowing us to design new synthetic routes that yield lipid molecules with higher purity than those reported in literature and patents. Our representative molecules, such as LP-01, SM-102, ALC-0315, and DLIN-MC3-DMA, have purities exceeding 98% as tested by CAD-HPLC, placing them among the top purity products available.We have the capability to scale production from grams to kilograms.


Cationic ionizable lipids play a major role in the LNP formulation and its ability to transfect target cells with its cargo. The ionizable lipids are used to complex negatively charged nucleic acid cargo. The mRNA-cationic lipid complex fuses with the cell membrane and is then delivered into the cytosol. To be able to play these roles efficiently, a cationic ionizable lipid must be engineered with a suitable apparent acid dissociation constant (pKa). The apparent pKa of a cationic ionizable lipid is the likely pKa at the LNP surface. Currently, the cationic ionizable lipids in FDA-approved therapeutics all have an apparent pKa between 6-7. This is crucial for the cationic ionizable lipid to maintain a neutral charge while in systemic circulation (pH above the pKa of the lipid, pH ~7.5), as well as its ability to become positively charged in the endosome (pH ~6.5) and facilitate membrane fusion and subsequent cytosolic release.
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Cat. No. Product Name Field of Application Chemical Structure
DC31000 LP-01 Featured
LP-01 is an ionizable cationic amino lipid (pKa = ~6.1). It has been used in the generation of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). LNPs containing LP-01 and encapsulating both Cas9 mRNA and modified single-guide RNA (sgRNA) for the transport protein transthyretin (Ttr) induce gene editing in liver cells in mice in a dose-dependent manner resulting in reduced serum Ttr levels for at least 12 months.
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DC82301 IC-8(lipid MIC5) Featured
IC8 is an ionizable cationic lipid. It has been used in combination with other lipids for the formation of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Immunization with severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike glycoprotein mRNA in IC8- and manganese-containing LNPs induces IgG responses to SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants in mice.1 Administration of mRNA encoding B7-H3 X CD3 bispecific T cell engaging (BiTE) antibodies in IC8-containing LNPs reduces tumor growth in MV4-11 and A375 mouse xenograft models.
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DC53130 93-O17S Featured
93-O17S is an imidazole-based synthetic lipidoid for in vivo mRNA delivery. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) with 93-O17S promotes both the cross-presentation of tumor antigens and the intracellular delivery of cGAMP (STING agonist).
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DC67281 BNT-51 Featured
BNT-51 is an ionizable thiolipid developed by Biontech, characterized by its sulfur-containing moieties and a multiarm dendron-like architecture. Synthesized via reactions between amine-containing compounds and sulfur-based halides or sulfonates, it forms stable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) optimized for mRNA delivery. The LNPs exhibit uniform particle size (80–100 nm, PDI <0.2), near-neutral zeta potential, and high mRNA encapsulation efficiency (>90%), while maintaining payload integrity through freeze-thaw cycles and extended storage. In vitro, BNT-51 demonstrates low cytotoxicity (>80% cell viability in C2C12, HepG2, and HEK293 cells) and superior transfection efficiency compared to conventional lipids, particularly in immune cells such as CD4+/CD8+ T cells within PBMCs. Its modular design allows integration of stealth lipids (e.g., PEG or vitamin E derivatives) to prolong circulation time and minimize immune activation, as evidenced by low hemolysis and complement activation risks. In vivo, BNT-51-based LNPs enable targeted mRNA delivery to splenic macrophages, achieving potent genome editing (e.g., Cre mRNA) and therapeutic protein expression (e.g., BACH1) in preclinical models. With its tunable structure, robust stability, and cell-specific tropism, BNT-51 holds promise for advancing mRNA therapeutics in gene editing, cancer immunotherapy, and regenerative medicine, offering a versatile platform for next-generation nanomedicine.
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DC60494 76-O17Se
76-O17Se is a lipidoid for the efficient delivery of antiCD19 mRNA CAR to murine primary macrophages. 76-O17Se is more efficient than delivery with lipofectamine 2000 (LPF2K) or MC3
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DC60578 TE-EP8-S
TE-EP8-S is a single-component, ionizable cationic lipid designed specifically for the targeted delivery of mRNA to T cells within the spleen. This innovative lipid formulation enhances the efficiency and precision of mRNA-based therapies by ensuring optimal cellular uptake and expression in immune cells. Its unique structure and properties make it a promising tool for advancing immunotherapeutic applications.
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DC60495 9322-O16B Featured
9322-O16B is a lipidoid for the efficient delivery of antiCD19 mRNA CAR to murine primary macrophages. LNP 9322-O16B is more efficient than delivery with lipofectamine 2000 (LPF2K) or MC3.
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DC67557 Tidal Lipid 40
Tidal Lipid 40is an ionizable cationic lipid engineered to deliver RNA with high precision to immune cells like macrophages. Based on ​​Tidal Therapeutics' patent US 20250205169A1​​, ​​ Its pH-responsive design shifts from a ​​+8 mV charge at pH 5.5​​ (enabling endosomal escape) to ​​near-neutral at pH 7.4​​ (reducing off -target binding), ensuring efficient intracellular release while maintaining blood stability. In lipid nanoparticles, Lipid 40 achieves ​​65% transfection efficiency in human macrophages​​—surpassing benchmarks like ALC-0315—and protects >95% of RNA payloads from degradation. Critically, it maintains particle integrity after freeze-thaw cycles with minimal size drift (<5 nm) and excels in in vivo targeting, driving potent gene expression in tumor-associated macrophages while avoiding liver/spleen accumulation. This combination of ​​precision delivery, stability, and low toxicity​​ makes it ideal for immunotherapies, such as reprogramming M2 macrophages to anti-tumor M1 states.
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DC67544 HCQ Lipid 4(HCQ-4)
HCQ-4​​ is a rationally engineered ionizable lipid derived from hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), featuring a ​​ditetradecylamine-derived twin-C14 saturated hydrocarbon tail​​ linked to the HCQ headgroup via a ​​succinic acid spacer​​. Synthesized through a three-step route involving HCQ deprotonation, ditetradecylamine carboxylation, and EDC/DMAP-mediated amidation, this lipid forms the core of optimized lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) at a molar ratio of ​​60:10:40:0.5 (HCQ-4:DOPE:cholesterol:DMG PEG2000)​​. The structure enables dual functionality: (1) ​​Spleen-selective mRNA delivery​​ (2.3-fold higher splenic vs. hepatic transfection) via 80-100 nm particle size, near-neutral charge (-3 mV), and low PEG density, facilitating immune cell uptake; (2) ​​Tumor microenvironment modulation​​ through HCQ-mediated repolarization of M2 macrophages to antitumor M1 phenotype (iNOS+ cells ↑2.5-fold, CD206+ cells ↓60%). This bifunctional design synergistically enhances mRNA cancer vaccine efficacy, demonstrating superior prophylactic/therapeutic antitumor activity and antimetastatic effects compared to clinical benchmarks like MC-3 LNP.
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DC80065 113-O12B Featured
113-O12B is a disulfide bond-containing ionizable cationic lipidoid. 113-O12B LNP, an LN-targeting LNP delivery system, is developed for a mRNA cancer vaccine. The 113-O12B/mRNA shows enhanced expression in APCs compared with ALC-0315/mRNA, indicating the LN-specific targeting ability.
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DC80068 LIPID PL1
PL1 is a novel biomimetic phospholipid. PL1 nanoparticle delivery of costimulatory receptor CD137 mRNA improved the immunotherapy with an anti-CD137 Ab to some extent in both tumor models with better results obtained in the B16F10 melanoma model as compared to the A20 lymphoma model.
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DC67563 S-Ac7-DOg Featured
S-Ac7-DOg​​ is an ​​ionizable lipid​​ engineered for optimized mRNA delivery to the retina, featuring a ​​sulfur-based ester bond​​ (S-Ac) and ​​dual oleyl glyceride chains​​ (DOg). Its pKa (~6.74) is finely tuned to enhance ​​endosomal escape​​ in acidic environments, enabling efficient cytosolic mRNA release. Unlike traditional lipids (e.g., C12-200, MC3), S-Ac7-DOg incorporates ​​biodegradable ester linkages​​ that hydrolyze intracellularly, minimizing lipid accumulation and reducing innate immune activation. In vitro, S-Ac7-DOg LNPs achieved >80% transfection efficiency in retinal cells (ARPE-19, MIO-M1) with ​​negligible cytokine secretion​​, outperforming MC3 and rivaling C12-200 while avoiding the latter’s high immunogenicity. In vivo, intravitreal delivery in mice showed ​​robust protein expression​​ in the optic nerve head (ONH) and Müller glia (75–100% of eyes), sustained for ≥7 days. Critically, it induced the ​​lowest immunogenicity​​ among tested lipids: minimal leukocyte infiltration (<1.5-fold vs. PBS), no microglial reactivity, and reduced GFAP upregulation.
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DC33580 DODMA Featured
DODMA, also known as MBN 305A is a a cationic lipid containing the unsaturated long-chain (18:1) oleic acid inserted at both the sn-1 and sn-2 positions. It has been used in the composition of lipospomes formulated as stable nucleic acid lipid particles that can encapsulate siRNA or other small molecules to be used for drug delivery
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DC67280 Lipid 35
Lipid 35 is an novel ionizable lipid designed to enhance the delivery of mRNA to specific tissues, particularly the lungs.Lipid 35 demonstrates superior chemical stability, especially in storage conditions. This stability ensures that the lipid maintains its integrity over extended periods, making it ideal for long-term storage and large-scale production.Lipid 35 exhibits high transfection efficiency in various cell types, including nonimmune cells, endothelial cells, and epithelial cells. Lipid 35 has demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and safety in preclinical studies. It does not cause significant liver damage or adverse immune responses, making it a safer alternative for therapeutic applications.
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DC71417 YSK 05 Featured
YSK 05 is a pH-sensitive cationic lipid. YSK 05 improves the intracellular trafficking of non-viral vectors. YSK 05-MEND shows significantly good gene silencing activity and hemolytic activity. YSK 05 overcomes the suppression of endosomal escape by PEGylation. YSK 05 effectively enhances siRNA delivery both in vitro and in vivo.
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DC67458 DMT7
DMT7 (pKa 6.5) is an ionizable cationic lipid engineered for co-delivery of mRNA and immunomodulators via LNPs. In 4T1 breast cancer metastasis models, DMT7 LNPs carrying IL-12 mRNA and STING agonist MSA-2 significantly reduce tumor burden and pulmonary metastases while modulating T cell populations. The formulation demonstrates broad immunotherapeutic effects in melanoma models, shifting tumor macrophages toward the M1 phenotype, reducing Tregs, and elevating pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-12, IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ).
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DC12381 DLin-KC2-DMA Featured
DLin-KC2-DMA is a highly potent ionizable lipid used in the formulation of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for the delivery of siRNA. It represents a significant advancement over earlier generations of lipids, such as DLin-DMA, due to its dramatically improved gene silencing efficiency.
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DC67538 XH-04 Featured
XH-04 ​​is an ionizable lipid engineered for advanced mRNA delivery developed by ​​JiaChen West Lake Biotech. Its core structure features a central benzene ring with asymmetric hydrophobic tails (C9-C10 chains) and pH-responsive tertiary amines that enable efficient mRNA encapsulation and endosomal escape. As detailed in CN113993839A, XH04 outperforms industry benchmarks (e.g., MC3 lipid), boosting protein expression by ​​>10-fold​​ in BHK cells. In PCT/CN2024/121624, JiaChen further demonstrated its utility in lung-targeted LNPs (tLNP/tLCNP). When combined with cationic lipids (e.g., DOTMA at 2:1 molar ratio), XH 04 redirects >80% of mRNA delivery to murine lungs—overcoming liver tropism—while maintaining low toxicity. The lipid’s benzenic core and optimized alkyl chain geometry (patent claims 1-9) are credited for enhanced endosomal disruption and mRNA release kinetics. JiaChen’s innovations position XH-04 as a cornerstone for next-generation mRNA therapeutics.
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DC67449 Lipid TG4C Featured
TG4C is an ionizable cationic lipid (pKa 6.71) optimized for mRNA delivery via lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). When formulated into LNPs carrying human EPO mRNA, it significantly elevates serum EPO levels in mice. Furthermore, aerosolized TG4C-based LNPs containing HGF mRNA demonstrate therapeutic potential in pulmonary emphysema models, showing reduced inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after elastase-induced lung injury.
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DC60537 C18 NC-TNP Featured
NC-TNP (noncationic thiourea lipids nanoparticles) could compress mRNA by strong hydrogen bonds interaction between thiourea groups of NC-TNP and the phosphate groups of mRNA. NC-TNP could escape the recycling pathway to inhibit the egress of internalized nanoparticles from the intracellular compartment to the extracellular milieu. NC-TNP-encapsulated mRNA shows higher gene transfection efficiency in vitro and in vivo than mRNA-LNP formulation. NC-TNP also shows spleen targeting delivery ability with higher accumulation ratio (spleen/liver), compared with traditional LNP.The C18 non-cationic thiourea lipid self-assembles into ~100 nm nanoparticles with neutral surface charge, utilizing strong hydrogen bonding between its thiourea groups and mRNA phosphate groups for efficient mRNA complexation. This delivery system demonstrates significantly enhanced EGFP expression efficiency—2.3-fold higher than standard C6/C12 formulations—in DC2.4, B16, and 4T1 cells, while sustaining luciferase activity for over 20 days post-subcutaneous injection. It exhibits exceptional stability, maintaining >94% mRNA integrity and <10% particle size variation after 30-day lyophilized storage. Importantly, the nanoparticles show pronounced spleen-targeting capability with 20-fold greater accumulation in the spleen versus liver, effectively activating twice the level of antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cells. Critically, the system avoids cationic lipid-associated toxicity, inducing no detectable IL-6/CXCL10 inflammation and causing no histopathological damage in cardiac or splenic tissues, thus establishing a novel high-efficacy, low-toxicity mRNA delivery platform.
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DC60711 CL15F 9-5 Featured
CL15F 9-5, a piperidine-based ionizable lipid, exhibits favorable properties for mRNA delivery in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Its apparent pKa ranges between 6.24–7.15, ideal for mRNA encapsulation and endosomal escape. LNPs formulated with CL15F 9-5 (50:38.5:10:1.5 molar ratio of ionizable lipid:cholesterol:DSPC:DMG-PEG2k) demonstrated high mRNA encapsulation efficiency (>90%) and maintained physicochemical stability (size, PDI, zeta potential) during storage at 4°C for 5 months . In vitro, CL15F 9-5 LNPs showed superior luciferase expression in HEK-293T cells compared to CL4F-based LNPs. In vivo, liver-targeted LNPs delivered hEPO mRNA effectively, with sustained serum hEPO levels post-storage. Intravenous administration of FLuc mRNA-loaded CL15F 9-5 LNPs yielded strong hepatic bioluminescence, confirming liver tropism. As a vaccine candidate, CL15F 9-5 induced robust antigen-specific cellular immunity in mice, with a 14-fold increase in IFN-γ spots compared to SM-102. Its enhanced stability is attributed to reduced aldehyde impurities, minimizing mRNA-lipid adduct formation.
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DC60478 ALC-0366 Featured
ALC 0366 is an ionizable cationic lipid (pKa = 6.25) from Biontech,which is derived from ALC-0315. ALC0366 has been used as a key component of LNP to deliver BNT142, a lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-formulated RNA (RNA-LNP) encoding a T cell-engaging bispecific antibody that monovalently binds the T cell marker CD3 and bivalently binds claudin 6 (CLDN6), an oncofetal antigen that is absent from normal adult tissue but expressed on various solid tumors.
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DC67217 Moderna Lipid 48 Featured
Moderna Lipid 48 is an novel ionizable amine lipid used for mRNA delivery from Moderna patent WO2017049245A2
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DC80080 OF-C4-Deg-Lin Featured
OF-C4-Deg-Lin is a novel ionizable lipid for RNA delivery. OF-C4-Deg-Lin LNPs entrapping mRNA coding for luciferase induce the majority of protein expression in the spleen, with minimal translation in the liver, and negligible translation in other organs. OF-C4-Deg-Lin LNPs entrapping mRNA coding for luciferase induce the majority of protein expression in the spleen, with minimal translation in the liver, and negligible translation in other organs. To improve the mRNA delivery to extrahepatic tissues, a series of degradable diketopiperazine-based ionizable lipids were synthesized. Through evaluating the mRNA functional activity delivered by iLNPs, it was found that the ionizable lipids with doubly unsaturated lipid tails and linkers containing a length of four carbon aliphatic chain (Of-C4-Deg-Lin) could deliver the mRNA more efficiently. Moreover, compared with cKK-E12 and Invivofectamine, Of-C4-Deg-Lin could specifically induce more than 85% of firefly luciferase expression in spleen,minimal expression in the liver, and insignificant expression in other tissues.
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DC67212 Acuitas Lipid III-25 Featured
Acuitas Lipid III-25 is an novel ionizable amine lipid used for mRNA delivery from Acuitas Therapeutics patent US 10,166,298 B2, with pKa 6.22, Liver Luc 1648 for 0.3mgkg(ng luc/g liver), Liver Luc 13880 for 1mgkg(ng luc/g liver) . It is an analgous of ALC-0315, showing higher activity than ALC-0315.
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DC67216 Moderna Lipid 26(Lipid M) Featured
Moderna Lipid 26(Lipid M) is an ionizable cationic lipid (pKa = 6.75) that has been used in the generation of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for mRNA delivery in vivo. LNPs containing lipid M and encapsulating mRNA encoding influenza virus genes increase anti-influenza virus IgG titers in cynomolgus monkeys without inducing local edema, erythema, or systemic levels of IL-6.
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DC82001 4A3-SC8 Featured
4A3-SC8 is a novel Ionizable amino lipid for RNA delivery.The CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system has been a hotspot in the field of gene therapy, especially the gene correction induced by homology-directed repair (HDR). However, its application has various obstacles, such as large molecular weight, poor stability, off-target risk, and the complexity of codeliver multiple genes. Farbiak et al. established a novel ionizable lipid library consisting of four distinct amine cores (3A3, 3A5, 4A1, 4A3) and nine peripheries with different alkyl chain lengths (SC5-SC14), and screened out a class of iLNPs with ability of encapsulating Cas9 mRNA, sgRNA and donor DNA simultaneously. The delivery efficiency (quantified by luciferase mRNA expression) and iLNPs toxicity were evaluated with three different cell lines (HEK293T, HeLa, and IGROV-1), indicating the formulation containing 4A3-SC8 was the best. 4A3-SC8 iLNPs successfully induced HDR in HEK293 cells by one-pot delivery of Cas9 mRNA, sgRNA, and the correct ssDNA template. Confocal microscopy imaging showed that a portion of blue fluorescence in cells was corrected to green fluorescence. Furthermore, the nucleic acid ratios of Cas9: sgRNA: donor DNA loading in iLNPs at a ratio of 2:1:3 could maximize the HDR efficiency with the editing efficiency up to 23%, which breaks through the current bottleneck of HDR efficiency of only 1–5%. This progress is undoubtedly an important advance in the gene therapy field to cure diseases caused by genetic mutations.
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DC67218 Moderna Lipid compound 182(Lipid 29 analogue-1) Featured
Moderna Lipid compound 182(Lipid 29 analogue-1) is a novel ionizable amine lipid developed by Moderna for the delivery of mRNA-based therapeutics. This lipid is part of Moderna's proprietary lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery platform, which is designed to encapsulate and protect mRNA, facilitate its cellular uptake, and enable efficient intracellular release. The ionizable nature of Lipid Compound 182 allows it to interact with mRNA at low pH (during LNP formulation) and release the payload in the neutral pH environment of the cytoplasm, making it a critical component of Moderna's mRNA delivery system.
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DC60432 DORI Featured
DORI, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-2,3-bis(oleoyloxy)propan-1-aminium bromide, is an ionizable cationic lipid with lower cytotoxicity and high transfection efficiency. Reagent grade, for research use only.
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DC86070 304O13 Featured
304O13 is a novel Biodegradable lipidoid for RNA delivery.
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