This invention provides for a compound of formula (I):

##STR00001##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1-R.sup.4, L.sub.1, n and p are defined herein. The compounds of formula (X) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are cationic lipids useful in the delivery of biologically active agents to cells and tissues.

The present invention provides cationic lipids and lipid nanoparticle formulations comprising these lipids, alone or in combination with other lipids. These lipid nanoparticles may be formulated with nucleic acids to facilitate their intracellular delivery both in vitro and for therapeutic applications. The present invention also provides methods of chemical synthesis of these lipids, lipid nanoparticle preparation and formulation with nucleic acids.

The present invention provides cationic lipids and lipid nanoparticle formulations comprising these lipids, alone or in combination with other lipids. These lipid nanoparticles may be formulated with nucleic acids to facilitate their intracellular delivery both in vitro and for therapeutic applications. The present invention also provides methods of chemical synthesis of these lipids, lipid nanoparticle preparation and formulation with nucleic acids.

This invention provides for a compound of formula (I): ##STR00001##
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1-R.sup.4, L.sub.1, n and p are defined herein. The compounds of formula (X) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are cationic lipids useful in the delivery of biologically active agents to cells and tissues.

This invention provides for a compound of formula (I): ##STR00001##
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1-R.sup.4, L.sub.1, n and p are defined herein. The compounds of formula (X) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are cationic lipids useful in the delivery of biologically active agents to cells and tissues.

Amines and amine derivatives that improve the buffering range, and/or reduce the chelation and other negative interactions of the buffer and the system to be buffered. The reaction of amines or polyamines with various molecules to form polyamines with differing pKa's will extend the buffering range, derivatives that result in polyamines that have the same pKa yields a greater buffering capacity. Derivatives that result in zwitterionic buffers improve yield by allowing a greater range of stability.

Amines and amine derivatives that improve the buffering range, and/or reduce the chelation and other negative interactions of the buffer and the system to be buffered. The reaction of amines or polyamines with various molecules to form polyamines with differing pKa's will extend the buffering range, derivatives that result in polyamines that have the same pKa yields a greater buffering capacity. Derivatives that result in zwitterionic buffers improve yield by allowing a greater range of stability.

Amines and amine derivatives that improve the buffering range, and/or reduce the chelation and other negative interactions of the buffer and the system to be buffered. The reaction of amines or polyamines with various molecules to form polyamines with differing pKa's will extend the buffering range, derivatives that result in polyamines that have the same pKa yields a greater buffering capacity. Derivatives that result in zwitterionic buffers improve yield by allowing a greater range of stability.

Amines and amine derivatives that improve the buffering range, and/or reduce the chelation and other negative interactions of the buffer and the system to be buffered. The reaction of amines or polyamines with various molecules to form polyamines with differing pKa's will extend the buffering range, derivatives that result in polyamines that have the same pKa yields a greater buffering capacity. Derivatives that result in zwitterionic buffers improve yield by allowing a greater range of stability.

A composition and method of treatment of neuromuscular, neuromuscular degenerative, neurodegenerative, autoimmune, developmental, traumatic, hearing loss related, and/or metabolic diseases, including spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) syndrome (SMA1, SMA2, SMA3, and SMA4, also called Type I, II, III and IV), traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (Dry Eye Disease), glaucoma, Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, post-LASIK surgery, anti-depressants use, Wolfram Syndrome, and Wolcott-Rallison syndrome. The composition is selected from the group consisting of 2,3-DNP, 2,4-DNP, 2,5-DNP, 2,6-DNP, 3,4-DNP, or 3,5-DNP, bipartite 2,3-dinitrophenol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, 2,5-dinitrophenol, 2,6-dinitrophenol, 3,4-dinitrophenol, or 3,5-dinitrophenol (2,3-DNP, 2,4-DNP, 2,5-DNP, 2,6-DNP, 3,4-DNP, or 3,5-DNP) prodrugs; Gemini prodrugs, bioprecursor molecules, and combinations thereof. A dose of the composition for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases may be from about 0.01 mg/kg of body weight to about 50 mg/kg of body weight of the patient in need of treatment. A dose of the composition for treatment of metabolic diseases may be from about 1 mg/70 kg of body weight to about 100 mg/70 kg of body weight of the patient in need of treatment, and a maximum dose per day is about 200 mg/70 kg of body weight of the patient in need of treatment.