pH-Responsive PEG Lipid Composition for Stable Nucleic Acid Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polyethylene glycol lipids used in nucleic acid delivery systems contain in-vivo cleavable bonds, leading to instability and reduced delivery efficiency of bioactive substances.

Innovation Solution

Development of a polyethylene glycol lipid with in-vivo non-cleavable linkers that can be positively charged in specific pH environments, forming stable particles with bioactive substances for targeted delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polyethylene glycol lipids with cleavable bonds (e.g., ester bonds, amide bonds) are used in nucleic acid delivery systems, then the lipids can be degraded in vivo to release bioactive substances, but the delivery stability is reduced and delivery efficiency decreases due to premature degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery stabilityVSAvoiddelivery efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the linker from cleavable (ester, amide) to non-cleavable (thioether, alkyl), fundamentally altering the stability profile of the PEG lipid while maintaining its ability to form functional lipid nanoparticles for nucleic acid delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite PEG lipid structure combining a stable non-cleavable linker (thioether or alkyl) with a pH-responsive cationic head group, achieving both in vivo stability and pH-dependent cellular uptake enhancement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If polyethylene glycol lipids are designed to be positively charged in specific pH environments, then cellular uptake is improved, but the complexity of maintaining charge stability across different pH conditions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecellular uptake efficiencyVSAvoidpH-responsive charge stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces pH-responsive dynamic charge characteristics to the PEG lipid, where the cationic head group (containing amino groups) automatically adjusts its charge state based on environmental pH, being positively charged in endosomal/lysosomal environments for enhanced cellular uptake while remaining neutral at physiological pH for stable circulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the pH parameter change in different cellular compartments to trigger charge changes in the lipid head group, enabling the same molecule to exhibit different charge states optimized for different stages of the delivery process without requiring complex external control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the stability and efficiency of bioactive substance delivery to target cells or organs by avoiding degradation and improving cellular uptake.

Implementation Method 1

the new type polyethylene glycol lipid can be positively charged in a specific pH environment, and can more easily form stable particles with the bioactive substance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Data Source

PatentEP4342929B1Polyethylene glycol lipid and use thereof
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 JENKEM TECH CO LTD TIANJIN
  • EP4342929B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4342929B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4342929B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A new typepolyethylene glycol lipid and the use thereof. The lipid is free of in-vivo cleavable bonds, and can deliver a bioactive substance to a target cell or organ more stably. In addition, the new typepolyethylene glycol lipid can be positively charged in a specific pH environment, and can more easily form stable particles with the bioactive substance, so that the bioactive substance plays a role in the target cell or organ.