Simplifying the Chemical Structure of Cationic Lipids for siRNA-Lipid Nanoparticles

We report a potent cationic lipid, SST-02 ((3-hydroxylpropyl)dilinoleylamine), which possesses a simple chemical structure and is synthesized just in one step. Cationic lipids are key components of siRNA-lipid nanoparticles (LNP), which may serve as potential therapeutic agents for various diseases. For a decade, chemists have given enhanced potency and new functions to cationic lipids along with structural complexity. In this study, we conducted a medicinal chemistry campaign pursuing chemical simplicity and found that even dilinoleylmethylamine (SST-01) and methylpalmitoleylamine could be used for the in vitro and in vivo siRNA delivery. Further optimization revealed that a hydroxyl group boosted potency, and SST-02 showed an ID₅₀ of 0.02 mg/kg in the factor VII (FVII) model. Rats administered with 3 mg/kg of SST-02 LNP did not show changes in body weight, blood chemistry, or hematological parameters, while the AST level decreased at a dose of 5 mg/kg. The use of SST-02 avoids a lengthy synthetic route and may thus decrease the future cost of nucleic acid therapeutics.