NOVEL IONIZABLE LIPID AND LIPID NANOPARTICLE COMPOSITION USING SAME

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel ionizable lipid and a lipid nanoparticle composition using same, wherein it has been identified that the lipid nanoparticle composed of the novel ionizable lipid exhibits an excellent rate of gene encapsulation efficiency and of gene delivery efficacy in in vitro/in vivo system and, simultaneously, exhibits an excellent rate of gene delivery efficacy even in serum-free environments, and thus the present invention can be effectively used as a composition for drug delivery.

Claims

1. A compound selected from a compound represented by the following Chemical Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer, prodrug, or stereoisomer thereof: ##STR00022## wherein, in the Chemical Formula I, the R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of the following Chemical Formula I-1 to Chemical Formula I-3, ##STR00023## the R.sup.2 is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl of substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1-6 wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 is substituted with one selected from the group consisting of O, C(O), OC(O), C(O)O, OC(O)O, OP(O)(OR.sup.2)O, OP(O)(OH)O, OC(S), C(S)O, SC(O), C(O)S, SC(S), C(S)S, SC(O)O, OC(O)S, SS, C(O)NH, NHC(O), C(O)NR.sup.2, NR.sup.2C(O), OC(O)NH, NHC(O)O, OC(O)NR.sup.2, and NR.sup.2C(O)O, the R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl of substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.2-10 wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 is substituted with CH(OH), O, or SS, the R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkynyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, or heteroaryl of substituted or unsubstituted branched C.sub.3-20 wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 is substituted with CH(OH), O, or SS, the Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 are selected from OC(O) or C(O)O, the X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are selected from CH or N, the R.sup.7 is alkyl of C.sub.1-6, and n is an integer of 2.

2. The compound of claim 1, wherein the R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of the following Chemical Formulas I-4 to I-7 or Chemical Formular I-9: ##STR00024##

3. The compound of claim 1, wherein the R.sup.2 is alkyl of substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1-6 wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 is substituted with one selected from the group consisting of O, C(O), OC(O), C(O)O, and SS.

4. The compound of claim 1, wherein the R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently alkyl of substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.2-10 wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 is substituted with CH(OH), O, or SS.

5. The compound of claim 1, wherein the R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are independently alkyl or alkenyl of substituted or unsubstituted branched C.sub.3-20 wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 is substituted with CH(OH), O, or SS.

6. The compound of claim 1, wherein the R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of the following Chemical Formulars I-4 to I-7 or Chemical Formular I-9, R.sup.2 is alkyl of substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1-6 wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 is substituted with one selected from the group consisting of O, C(O), OC(O), C(O)O, and SS, the R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently alkyl of substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.2-10 wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 is substituted with CH(OH), O, or SS, and the R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are independently alkyl or alkenyl of substituted or unsubstituted branched C.sub.3-20 wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 is substituted with CH(OH), O, or SS: ##STR00025##

7. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is one or more selected from the group consisting of ((2-(piperidin-4-yl)ethyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate); ((2-(piperazin-1-yl)ethyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate); ((4-aminobenzyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate); ((2-(6-aminopyridin-3-yl)ethyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate); ((3-(2,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate); heptadecan-9-yl 8-((3-(2,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)(8-(nonyloxy)-8-oxooctyl)amino)octanoate; bis(2-hexyldecyl) 7,7-((2-(6-aminopyridin-3-yl)ethyl)azanediyl) diheptanoate; ((2-(6-aminopyridin-3-yl)ethyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-(2-(butyldisulfanyl)ethyl)octanoate); and ((3-((2,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methoxy)propyl)azanediyl) bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate).

8. A lipid nanoparticle comprising the compound according to claim 1.

9. The lipid nanoparticle of claim 8, wherein the compound is an ionizable lipid.

10. The lipid nanoparticle of claim 9, wherein the liquid nanoparticle further comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of a neutral lipid, steroid, and polymeric polylipid.

11. The lipid nanoparticle of claim 10, wherein the neutral lipid is a phospholipid or glycolipid.

12. The lipid nanoparticle of claim 10, wherein the steroid is one or more selected from the group consisting of cholesterol, bile acid derivatives, and cholinic acid derivatives.

13. The lipid nanoparticle of claim 10, wherein the polymeric polylipid is a pegylated lipid and is one or more selected from the group consisting of PEG-modified phosphatidylethanolamine, PEG-modified phosphatidic acid, PEG-modified ceramide, PEG-modified dialkylamine, PEG-modified diasylglycerol, and PEG-modified dialkylglycerol.

14. The lipid nanoparticle of claim 10, wherein the liquid nanoparticle comprises 20 to 65 mol % of the ionizable lipid, 2.5 to 30 mol % of the neutral lipid, 25 to 60 mol % of the steroid, and 0.5 to 5 mol % of the polymeric polylipid.

15. The lipid nanoparticle of claim 8, wherein the liquid nanoparticle further comprises a prophylactic or therapeutic agent.

16. The lipid nanoparticle of claim 15, wherein the prophylactic or therapeutic agent is one or more selected from the group consisting of small interfering RNA (siRNA), ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA), aptamer, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA), anti-sense oligonucleotide, small hairpin ribonucleic acid (shRNA), microribonucleic acid (miRNA), asymmetric interfering ribonucleic acid (aiRNA), dicer-substrate ribonucleic acid (dsRNA), ribozyme, peptide nucleic acid (PNA), deoxyribozyme (DNAzyme), guide ribonucleic acid (sgRNA) for gene editing, and a mixture thereof.

17. A method of drug delivery, in a subject in need thereof, comprising: administering the lipid nanoparticle according to claim 8; and a prophylactic or therapeutic agent to the subject.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a method of preparing ((2-(piperidin-4-yl)ethyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate).

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a method of preparing ((2-(piperazin-1-yl)ethyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate).

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a method of preparing ((4-aminobenzyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate).

[0024] FIG. 4 shows a method of preparing ((2-(6-aminopyridin-3-yl)ethyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate).

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a method of preparing ((3-(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate).

[0026] FIG. 6 shows a method of preparing ((3-(2,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate).

[0027] FIG. 7 shows a method of preparing heptadecan-9-yl 8-((3-(2,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)(8-(nonyloxy)-8-oxooctyl)amino)octanoate.

[0028] FIG. 8 shows a method of preparing heptadecan-9-yl 8-((3-(2,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)(8-oxo-8-(pentan-2-yloxy)octyl)amino)octanoate.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

[0030] The present invention provides a compound selected from a compound represented by the following Chemical Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer, prodrug, or stereoisomer thereof.

##STR00003##

[0031] In the Chemical Formula I, [0032] the R.sup.1 may be selected from the group consisting of the following Chemical Formula I-1 to Chemical Formula I-3,

##STR00004## [0033] the R.sup.2 may be selected from alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl of substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1-6, wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 may be substituted with one selected from the group consisting of O, C(O), OC(O), C(O)O, OC(O)O, OP(O)(OR.sup.2)O, OP(O)(OH)O, OC(S), C(S)O, SC(O), C(O)S, SC(S), C(S)S, SC(O)O, OC(O)S, SS, C(O)NH, NHC(O), C(O)NR.sup.2, NR.sup.2C(O), OC(O)NH, NHC(O)O, OC(O)NR.sup.2, and NR.sup.2C(O)O, [0034] the R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl of substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.2-10, wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 may be substituted with CH(OH), O, or SS, [0035] the R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 may be independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkynyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, or heteroaryl of substituted or unsubstituted branched C.sub.3-20, wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 may be substituted with CH(OH), O, or SS, [0036] the Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 may be selected from OC(O) or C(O)O, [0037] the X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 may be selected from CH or N, [0038] the R.sup.7 may be alkyl of C.sub.1-6, and [0039] n may be an integer of 1 to 2.

[0040] Alternatively, in the Chemical Formula I, [0041] the R.sup.1 may be a compound selected from the group consisting of the following Chemical Formulas I-4 to I-9.

##STR00005##

[0042] The R.sup.2 may be alkyl of substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1-6, wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 may be substituted with one selected from the group consisting of O, C(O), OC(O), C(O)O, and SS.

[0043] The R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be alkyl of independently substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.2-10, wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 may be substituted with CH(OH), O, or SS.

[0044] The R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 may be independently alkyl or alkenyl of substituted or unsubstituted branched C.sub.3-20, wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 may be substituted with CH(OH), O, or SS.

[0045] The Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 may be selected from OC(O) or C(O)O.

[0046] Alternatively, in the Chemical Formula I, [0047] the R.sup.1 may be selected from the group consisting of the following Chemical Formulas I-4 to I-9, R.sup.2 may be alkyl of substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1-6 wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 may be substituted with one selected from the group consisting of O, C(O), OC(O), C(O)O, and SS, the R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be independently alkyl of substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.2-10 wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 may be substituted with CH(OH), O, or SS, the R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 may be independently alkyl or alkenyl of substituted or unsubstituted branched C.sub.3-20 wherein the substitution is such that at least one CH.sub.2 may be substituted with CH(OH), O, or SS, and the Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 may be selected from OC(O) or C(O)O.

##STR00006##

[0048] The compound may be one or more selected from the group consisting of, but is not limited to, ((2-(piperidin-4-yl)ethyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate); ((2-(piperazin-1-yl)ethyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate); ((4-aminobenzyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate); ((2-(6-aminopyridin-3-yl)ethyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate); ((3-(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate); ((3-(2,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate); heptadecan-9-yl 8-((3-(2,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)(8-(nonyloxy)-8-oxooctyl)amino)octanoate; heptadecan-9-yl 8-((3-(2,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)(8-oxo-8-(pentan-2-yloxy)octyl)amino)octanoate; bis(2-hexyldecyl) 7,7-((2-(6-aminopyridin-3-yl)ethyl)azanediyl) diheptanoate; 6-((2-(6-aminopyridin-3-yl)ethyl)(8-(nonanoyloxy)octyl)amino)hexyl 2-hexyldecanoate; ((2-(6-aminopyridin-3-yl)ethyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-(2-(butyldisulfanyl)ethyl)octanoate); ((((3-(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)azanediyl)bis(ethane-2,1-diyl))bis(oxy))bis(propane-3,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate); heptadecan-9-yl 8-((3-(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)(8-(nonyloxy)-8-oxooctyl)amino)octanoate; and ((3-((2,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methoxy)propyl)azanediyl) bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate).

[0049] Specifically, the ((2-(piperidin-4-yl)ethyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (hereinafter referred to as Compound 1) has the same structure as the following Chemical Formula 1, with a molecular formula of C.sub.51H.sub.100N.sub.2O.sub.4 and a molecular weight of 805.35.

##STR00007##

[0050] The ((2-(piperazin-1-yl)ethyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (hereinafter referred to as Compound 2) has the same structure as the following Chemical Formula 2, with a molecular formula of C.sub.50H.sub.99N.sub.3O.sub.4 and a molecular weight of 806.34.

##STR00008##

[0051] The ((4-aminobenzyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (hereinafter referred to as Compound 3) has the same structure as the following Chemical Formula 3, with a molecular formula of C.sub.51H.sub.94N.sub.2O.sub.4 and a molecular weight of 799.30.

##STR00009##

[0052] The ((2-(6-aminopyridin-3-yl)ethyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (hereinafter referred to as Compound 4) has the same structure as the following Chemical Formula 4, with a molecular formula of C.sub.51H.sub.95N.sub.3O.sub.4 and a molecular weight of 814.32.

##STR00010##

[0053] The ((3-(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (hereinafter referred to as Compound 5) has the same structure as the following Chemical Formula 5, with a molecular formula of C.sub.51H.sub.97N.sub.3O.sub.4 and a molecular weight of 816.33.

##STR00011##

[0054] The ((3-(2,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (hereinafter referred to as Compound 6) has the same structure as the following Chemical Formula 6, with a molecular formula of C.sub.52H.sub.99N.sub.3O.sub.4 and a molecular weight of 830.36.

##STR00012##

[0055] The heptadecan-9-yl 8-((3-(2,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)(8-(nonyloxy)-8-oxooctyl)amino)octanoate (hereinafter referred to as Compound 7) has the same structure as the following Chemical Formula 7, with a molecular formula of C.sub.50H.sub.95N.sub.3O.sub.4 and a molecular weight of 802.31.

##STR00013##

[0056] The heptadecan-9-yl 8-((3-(2,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)(8-oxo-8-(pentan-2-yloxy)octyl)amino)octanoate (hereinafter referred to as Compound 8) has the same structure as the following Chemical Formula 8, with a molecular formula of C.sub.46H.sub.87N.sub.3O.sub.4 and a molecular weight of 746.20.

##STR00014##

[0057] The bis(2-pentyloctyl)8,8-((2-(piperidin-4-yl)ethyl)azanediyl) dioctanoate (hereinafter referred to as Compound 9) has the same structure as the following Chemical Formula 9, with a molecular formula of C.sub.49H.sub.96N.sub.2O.sub.4 and a molecular weight of 777.30.

##STR00015##

[0058] The bis(2-hexyldecyl) 7,7-((2-(6-aminopyridin-3-yl)ethyl)azanediyl) diheptanoate (hereinafter referred to as Compound 10) has the same structure as the following Chemical Formula 10, with a molecular formula of C.sub.53H.sub.99N.sub.3O.sub.4 and a molecular weight of 842.37.

##STR00016##

[0059] The 6-((2-(6-aminopyridin-3-yl)ethyl)(8-(nonanoyloxy)octyl)amino)hexyl 2-hexyldecanoate (hereinafter referred to as Compound 11) has the same structure as the following Chemical Formula 11, with a molecular formula of C.sub.46H.sub.85N.sub.3O.sub.4 and a molecular weight of 744.18.

##STR00017##

[0060] The ((2-(6-aminopyridin-3-yl)ethyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-(2-(butyldisulfanyl)ethyl)octanoate (hereinafter referred to as Compound 12) has the same structure as the following Chemical Formula 12, with a molecular formula of C.sub.47H.sub.87N.sub.3O.sub.4S.sub.4 and a molecular weight of 886.47.

##STR00018##

[0061] The ((((3-(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)azanediyl)bis(ethane-2,1-diyl))bis(oxy))bis(propane-3,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (hereinafter referred to as Compound 13) has the same structure as the following Chemical Formula 13, with a molecular formula of C.sub.49H.sub.93N.sub.3O.sub.6 and a molecular weight of 820.28.

##STR00019##

[0062] The heptadecan-9-yl 8-((3-(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)(8-(nonyloxy)-8-oxooctyl)amino)octanoate (hereinafter referred to as Compound 14) has the same structure as the following Chemical Formula 14, with a molecular formula of C.sub.49H.sub.93N.sub.3O.sub.4 and a molecular weight of 788.28.

##STR00020##

[0063] The ((3-((2,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methoxy)propyl)azanediyl) bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (hereinafter referred to as Compound 15) has the same structure as the following Chemical Formula 15, with a molecular formula of C.sub.53H.sub.101N.sub.3O.sub.5 and a molecular weight of 860.39.

##STR00021##

[0064] In addition, the present invention provides a lipid nanoparticle composition including the compound.

[0065] The compound may be an ionizable lipid.

[0066] The lipid nanoparticles have excellent safety and stability and may exhibit a function as a delivery to allow a gene including RNA, DNA, or a hybrid type thereof as an active ingredient to derive its effectiveness well in cells.

[0067] The lipid nanoparticle composition may include, but is not limited to, one or more selected from the group consisting of a neutral lipid, steroid, and polymeric polylipid.

[0068] The neutral lipid may be a phospholipid or a glycolipid. Specifically, the phospholipid may be one or more selected from the group consisting of dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC), palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC), egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC), dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPG), dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG), distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine, and the glycolipid may be one or more selected from the group consisting of glucosylceramide, galactosylceramide, glucosylsphingosine, galactosyl sphingosine, and phosphoglycoceramide, but are not limited thereto.

[0069] The steroid may be, but is not limited to, one or more selected from the group consisting of cholesterol, bile acid derivatives, and cholinic acid derivatives.

[0070] The polymeric polylipid may be a pegylated lipid with a structure in which water-soluble polymers and lipids are bonded, and the pegylated lipid may be one or more selected from the group consisting of PEG (PEG-DAA) bound to a dialkyloxypropyl; PEG-c-DOMG and PEG-DMG as PEG (PEG-DAG) bound to diacylglycerol; PEG-DLPE, PEG-DMPE, and PEG-DSPE as PEG (PEG-PE) bound to phospholipids such as phosphatidylethanolamine; PEG (PEG-CER) conjugated to ceramides; PEG conjugated to cholesterol or derivatives thereof, PEG-modified phosphatidic acid; PEG-modified dialkylamine; and PEG-modified dialkylglycerol, but are not limited thereto. In addition, the pegylated lipid may be those (functionalized PEGs) having a functional group bound to a side that is not bound with lipids. The available functional groups may include, but are not limited to, one or more selected from the group consisting of succinyl, carboxylic acid, maleimide, n-hydroxysuccinimide, amine group, biotin, cyanur group, and folate.

[0071] The ionizable lipid may be prepared in a form of lipid nanoparticles, including neutral lipids, steroids, and polymeric polylipids. For a composition suitable for the preparation of lipid nanoparticles, 20 to 65 mol % of ionizable lipids, 2.5 to 30 mol % of neutral lipids, 20 to 60 mol % of steroids, and 0.5 to 5 mol % of polymeric polylipids may be included in a lipid composition excluding active ingredients. For example, ionizable lipids:neutral lipids:steroids:polymeric polylipids may be composed in a mol % ratio selected from the group consisting of 60:5:33.5:1.5, 50:10:38.5:1.5, 40:15:43.5:1.5, 30:20:48.5:1.5, 25:25:48.5:1.5, 60:5:32:3 or 50:10:37:3, 40:15:42:3, 30:20:47:3, and 25:25:47:3.

[0072] In addition, the composition may further include prophylactic or therapeutic agents, and the agent may be a gene including a single-stranded or double-stranded RNA, DNA, or a mixture thereof, specifically it may be one or more selected from the group consisting of, but is not limited to, small interfering RNA (siRNA), ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA), aptamer, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA), anti-sense oligonucleotide, small hairpin ribonucleic acid (shRNA), microribonucleic acid (miRNA), asymmetric interfering ribonucleic acid (aiRNA), dicer-substrate ribonucleic acid (dsRNA), ribozyme, peptide nucleic acid (PNA), deoxyribozyme (DNAzyme), and guide ribonucleic acid (sgRNA) for gene editing. In addition, the active ingredient of the composition may be various negatively charged peptides, protein drugs, protein-nucleic acid structures or hyaluronic acid-peptide conjugates, hyaluronic acid-protein conjugates, and anionic biopolymer-drug conjugates such as antibodies.

[0073] The lipid nanoparticle composition of the present invention, including ionizable lipids, neutral lipids, steroids, and polymeric polylipids, may be dissolved in solvents that are miscible with ethanol or water to be prepared as lipid solutions. Separately, the active ingredient may be dissolved in citric acid or acetic acid buffer in a pH of 4.01.0 to be prepared as an active ingredient solution. In addition, the lipid solution and the active ingredient solution may be mixed by a microfluidic mixing device (Benchtop Nanoassemblr, Precision Nanosystems) at a volume ratio of 1:3 and a flow rate of about 1015 mL/min to be prepared into lipid nanoparticles.

[0074] In addition, the present invention provides a composition for drug delivery, including the lipid nanoparticle composition; and a prophylactic or therapeutic agent.

[0075] The composition for drug delivery may be administered via various routes, including parenteral administration to mammals including humans, wherein the parenteral administration may be applied intravenously, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, or locally, and the dosage may vary depending on the patient's condition and weight, severity of diseases, drug form, and route and time of administration, wherein the dosage may be appropriately selected by those skilled in the art.

[0076] When preparing the composition for drug delivery according to an example embodiment, the composition is prepared using a diluent or excipient such as commonly used fillers, extenders, freeze-drying agents, binders, wetting agents, disintegrating agents, and surfactants.

[0077] Preparations for parenteral administration include sterile aqueous solutions, non-aqueous solvents, suspended solvents, emulsions, freeze-drying agents, and suppositories.

[0078] As the non-aqueous solvent and suspension solvent, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils such as olive oil, and injectable esters such as ethyl oleate may be used. As the base of the suppository, witepsol, macrogol, Tween 61, cacao butter, laurin butter, glycerol, and gelatin may be used.

[0079] The composition for drug delivery of the present invention may be administered with inclusion of a pharmaceutically effective amount of prophylactic or therapeutic agents. The effective dose level of the prophylactic or therapeutic agent may be determined according to the patient's disease type, severity, activity of the drug, sensitivity to the drug, time of administration, route of administration and excretion rate, duration of treatment, elements including concomitant drugs and other well-known factors in the field of medicine. The composition according to an example embodiment may be administered as individual therapeutics or in combination with other therapeutics, administered sequentially or simultaneously with the conventional therapeutics, and administered in single or multiple does. Considering all the factors above, it is important to administer an amount that is able to derive the maximum effect with a minimum amount without side effects, which may be easily determined by those skilled in the art. For example, the composition may be administered in an amount of 0.01 to 100 mg/kg, 0.1 to 50 mg/kg, or 1 to 10 mg/kg.

[0080] The present invention may be described in more detail through the following specific examples and experimental examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0081] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail through examples to help understanding of the present invention. However, examples below are merely intended to illustrate the content of present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following examples. Examples of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[Example 1] Preparation of Compounds

1-1. Preparation of Compound 1

[0082] As shown in FIG. 1, Compound 1-a (25.0 g, 97.5 mmol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (hereinafter referred to as DCM, 250 mL), and then dimethylformamide (356 mg, 4.87 mmol) and oxalyl chloride (61.9 g, 487 mmol) were added at 0 C. and stirred at 25 C. for 1 hour. The mixture was then subjected to the primary concentration under reduced pressure, dissolved in toluene (50 mL2 times), followed by the secondary concentration under reduced pressure to obtain 2-hexyldecanoyl chloride (26.8 g, crude) in a yellow oil form. Compound 1-b (26.5 g, 146 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (200 mL), dimethylaminopyridine (hereinafter referred to as DMAP, 1.19 g, 9.75 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (hereinafter referred to as DIEA, 75.6 g, 585 mmol) were then added, and the temperature was lowered to 0 C., followed by slow addition of 2-hexyldecanoyl chloride (26.8 g, 97.5 mmol) dissolved in DCM (150 mL). The temperature of the mixture was slowly elevated to 25 C., and the mixture was stirred for 14 hours. Afterwards, it was washed with hydrochloric acid solution (0.1M, 400 mL2 times) and saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (400 mL2 times), the organic layer was dried with sodium sulfate (hereinafter referred to as Na.sub.2SO.sub.4), concentration was performed under reduced pressure, and purification was conducted on silica gel (petroleum ether (hereinafter referred to as PE)/ethyl acetate (hereinafter referred to as EtOAc)=100/1 to 49/1) to obtain Compound 1-c in a colorless oil form.

[0083] In acetonitrile (hereinafter referred to as MeCN, 40 mL), a mixture of Compound 1-a (3.00 g, 7.15 mmol), Compound 1-b (544 mg, 2.38 mmol), potassium carbonate (hereinafter referred to as K.sub.2CO.sub.3, 988 mg, 7.15 mmol), and sodium iodide (hereinafter referred to as NaI, 357 mg, 2.38 mmol) was stirred at 80 C. for 7 hours. After that, it was diluted with purified water (80 mL), extracted with DCM (80 mL3 times), washed with saturated sodium chloride solution (hereinafter referred to as brine, 150 mL), and dried with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, followed by filtration. After concentration of the filtrate under reduced pressure, DCM (5 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (hereinafter referred to as TFA, 5 mL) were added to the Compound 1-c (500 mg, 0.552 mmol) obtained by separating on the silica gel (PE/EtOAc=9/1 to 2/1) and then stirred at 25 C. for 14 hours. After that, it was concentrated under reduced pressure, added with DCM (20 mL) and purified water (20 mL), and adjusted to pH 11 using sodium hydroxide solution (hereinafter referred to as aq.NaOH, 1M), followed by extraction with DCM (30 mL2 times). Afterwards, it was dried with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain Compound 1 in a light yellow oil form, and the result of the .sup.1H NMR analysis for Compound 1 is as shown below.

[0084] .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 4.07 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 4H), 3.05-3.08 (m, 2H), 2.55-2.62 (m, 2H), 2.28-2.44 (m, 8H), 1.56-1.68 (m, 10H), 1.26-1.45 (m, 59H), 1.09-1.15 (m, 2H), 0.86-0.89 (m, 12H)

1-2. Preparation of Compound 2

[0085] As shown in FIG. 2, a mixture of Compound 2-a (3.00 g, 7.15 mmol), Compound 2-b (547 mg, 2.38 mmol), K.sub.2CO.sub.3 (988 mg, 7.15 mmol), and NaI (179 mg, 1.19 mmol) was stirred in MeCN (40 mL) at 80 C. in the presence of nitrogen gas for 5 hours. Afterwards, it was diluted with purified water (80 mL), extracted with DCM (80 mL3 times), washed with brine (150 mL), and dried with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, followed by filtration. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure, and DCM (5 mL) and TFA (7.70 g) were added to Compound 1-c (500 mg, 0.552 mmol) in a yellow oil form obtained by purifying on the silica gel (PE/EtOAc=100/1 to 2/1), followed by stirring at 25 C. for 14 hours. After that, it was concentrated under reduced pressure, added with DCM (20 mL) and purified water (20 mL), adjusted to pH 11 using aq.NaOH(1M), and extracted with DCM (30 mL2 times), followed by drying with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4 and concentration under reduced pressure to obtain Compound 2 in a yellow oil form. The result of .sup.1H NMR analysis for Compound 2 is as shown below.

[0086] .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 4.06 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 4H), 2.90 (t, J=4.8 Hz, 4H), 2.57-2.61 (m, 2H), 2.43-2.46 (m, 8H), 2.30-2.31 (m, 2H), 1.58-1.66 (m, 8H), 1.26-1.47 (m, 58H), 0.88 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 12H)

1-3. Preparation of Compound 3

[0087] As shown in FIG. 3, Compound 3-a (25.0 g, 97.5 mmol) was added to DCM (250 mL), and dimethylformamide (356 mg, 4.87 mmol) and oxalyl chloride (61.9 g, 487 mmol) were added at 0 C., followed by stirring at 25 C. for 1 hour. Thereafter, it was concentrated under reduced pressure, dissolved in toluene (50 mL2), and then concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain 2-hexyldecanoyl chloride in a yellow oil form. Compound 3-b (26.5 g, 146 mmol) was added to DCM (200 mL), DMPA (1.19 g, 9.75 mmol) and DIEA (75.6 g, 585 mmol) were added, the temperature was lowered to 0 C., and then 2-hexyldecanoyl chloride (26.8 g, 97.5 mmol) dissolved in DCM (150 mL) was slowly added. The temperature of the mixture was slowly elevated to 25 C., followed by stirring for 14 hours. Afterwards, it was washed with hydrochloric acid solution (0.1M, 400 mL2 times) and saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (400 mL2 times), the organic layer was dried with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, and after concentration under reduced pressure, purification was performed on silica gel (PE/EtOAc=100/1 to 49/1) to obtain Compound 1-c in a colorless oil form. Compounds 3-c (3 g, 7.15 mmol) and 3-d (530 mg, 2.38 mmol), K.sub.2CO.sub.3 (988 mg, 7.15 mmol), and NaI (179 mg, 1.19 mmol) were added to MeCN (40 mL) and stirred at 80 C. for 6 hours. Subsequently, it was diluted with purified water (60 mL), extracted with DCM (60 mL2 times), dried with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, concentrated under reduced pressure, and purified on silica gel (PE/EtOAc=100/1 to 6/1) to obtain Compound 3-e in a colorless semi-solid form. Compound 3-e (600 mg, 0.667 mmol) was added to DCM (6 mL), and then TFA (6 mL) was added, followed by stirring at 25 C. for 16 hours. Afterwards, it was concentrated under reduced pressure, added with DCM (20 mL) and purified water (20 mL), and then adjusted to pH 9 using saturated sodium carbonate solution. It was extracted with DCM (30 mL2 times), dried with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, and concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain Compound 3 in a yellow oil form. The result of .sup.1H NMR analysis for Compound 3 is as shown below.

[0088] .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 7.07-7.09 (m, 2H), 6.63-6.65 (m, 2H), 4.05 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 4H), 3.62 (s, 2H), 3.44 (s, 2H), 2.29-2.38 (m, 6H), 1.56-1.62 (m, 8H), 1.40-1.45 (m, 8H), 1.26-1.31 (m, 48H), 0.86-0.90 (m, 12H).

1-4. Preparation of Compound 4

[0089] As shown in FIG. 4, a mixture of toluene (20 mL) and purified water (5 mL) was added with Compound 4-a (1.03 g, 5.08 mmol), Compound 4-b (850 mg, 3.39 mmol), cesium carbonate (3.31 g, 10.2 mmol), and palladium catalyst (Pd(dppf) Cl.sub.2.Math.CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2, 276 mg, 0.339 mmol), followed by stirring in the presence of nitrogen gas at 80 C. for 12 hours. Afterwards, it was diluted with purified water (40 mL), extracted with EtOAc (40 mL3 times), and concentrated under reduced pressure, and Compound 4-c (640 mg, 2.39 mmol) in a yellow solid form obtained by purification on silica gel (PE/EtOAc=100/1 to 1/1) was added to DCM (6 mL) and TFA (6 mL) and stirred at 25 C. for 2 hours. It was then concentrated under reduced pressure, diluted with DCM (20 mL) and purified water (20 mL), and adjusted to pH 11 using aq.NaOH (1M), followed by extraction with a DCM/methanol (hereinafter referred to as MeOH) mixture solution (10/1, 30 mL4 times). The extract was dried with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4 and concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain Compound 4-d in a yellow oil form. Compound 4-d (3.10 g, 7.39 mmol), Compound 4-e (412 mg, 2.46 mmol), K.sub.2CO.sub.3 (1.02 g, 7.39 mmol), and NaI (185 mg, 1.23 mmol) were added to DCM (40 mL), followed by stirring at 80 C. for 5 hours. Compound 4-e (1.03 g, 2.46 mmol) was added and stirred at 80 C. for 3 hours. Afterwards, it was diluted with purified water (80 mL), extracted with DCM (80 mL3 times), washed with brine (150 mL), and dried with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, followed by filtration. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure and purified on silica gel (PE/EtOAc=100/1 to 3/1) to obtain Compound 4-f in a yellow oil form. Compound 4-f (400 mg, 0.474 mmol) was added to tetrahydrofuran (hereinafter referred to as THF, 10 mL), palladium/carbon catalyst (Pd/C, 80 mg, purity 10%) was added in the presence of nitrogen gas, with replacement of hydrogen, and stirring was performed in the presence of hydrogen gas (15 psi) at 25 C. for 4 hours. Afterwards, the liquid filtered with DCM (20 mL) was dried and filtered with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, concentrated under reduced pressure, and freeze-dried to obtain Compound 4 in a yellow oil form. The result of .sup.1H NMR analysis for Compound 4 is as shown below.

[0090] .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 7.90 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (dd, J=8.4, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.46 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 4.32 (s, 2H), 4.07 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 4H), 2.61-2.62 (m, 4H), 2.47-2.48 (m, 4H), 2.28-2.35 (m, 2H), 1.56-1.66 (m, 8H), 1.31-1.45 (m, 16H), 1.26-1.30 (m, 40H), 0.86-0.89 (m, 12H)

1-5. Preparation of Compound 5

[0091] As shown in FIG. 5, Compound 5-a (4.00 g, 9.54 mmol), Compound 5-b (442 mg, 3.18 mmol), K.sub.2CO.sub.3 (1.32 g, 9.54 mmol), and NaI (238 mg, 1.59 mmol) were added to MeCN (60 mL) and stirred at 80 C. for 3 hours. Compound 5-a (1.00 g, 2.38 mmol) was added, reacted by stirring at 80 C. for 1 hour, and then diluted with purified water (80 mL), and a liquid obtained by extraction with DCM (80 mL3 times) was washed with brine (150 mL) and dried with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, followed by filtration. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure and then purified on the silica gel twice (DCM/MeOH=100/1 to 19/1, DCM (0.1% 7M NH.sub.3, MeOH)/MeOH=100/1 to 24/1) to obtain Compound 5 in a light yellow oil form. The result of .sup.1H NMR analysis for Compound 5 is as shown below.

[0092] .sup.1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 6.90 (s, 1H), 6.82 (s, 1H), 4.06 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 4H), 3.87 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 2.37-2.41 (m, 9H), 2.28-2.34 (m, 2H), 1.81-1.87 (m, 2H), 1.56-1.65 (m, 8H), 1.35-1.44 (m, 12H), 1.25-1.30 (m, 44H), 0.86-0.89 (m, 12H).

1-6. Preparation of Compound 6

[0093] As shown in FIG. 6, Compound 6-a (5.00 g, 52.0 mmol) was added to THE (50 mL), and sodium hydroxide (2.08 g, 52.0 mmol) was added at 0 C. after cooling, followed by stirring for 1 hour. Afterwards, Compound 6-b (9.30 g, 34.7 mmol) dissolved in THF (20 mL) was added and stirred at 25 C. for 11 hours. The reaction was terminated with saturated ammonium chloride (50 mL), extracted with MeCN (80 mL3 times), washed with brine (50 mL), and dried with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, followed by filtration. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure and purified on silica gel (DCM/MeOH=100/1 to 16/1) to obtain Compound 6-c in a white solid form. Compound 6-c (1.50 g, 5.29 mmol) was added to ethanol (20 mL) followed by addition of hydrazine hydrate (1.03 g, 17.5 mmol), and then stirring was performed at 70 C. for 2 hours. Afterwards, it was diluted with purified water (80 mL), extracted with DCM (30 mL2 times), washed with brine (40 mL), and dried with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, followed by filtration. The filtered liquid was concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain Compound 6-d in a yellow oil form. Compound 6-d (584 mg, 3.82 mmol), Compound 6-e (4.00 g, 9.54 mmol), K.sub.2CO.sub.3 (1.58 g, 11.4 mmol), and NaI (286 mg, 1.91 mmol) were added to MeCN (60 mL) and stirred at 80 C. for 4 hours. Compound 6-e (1.60 g, 3.82 mmol) and K.sub.2CO.sub.3 (527 mg, 3.82 mmol) were added and stirred at 80 C. for 3 hours to complete the reaction. Afterwards, it was diluted with purified water (100 mL), extracted with DCM (80 mL3 times), washed with brine (150 mL), and dried with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, followed by filtration. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure and purified on silica gel (DCM/MeOH=100/1 to 19/1) to obtain Compound 6 in a yellow oil form. The result of .sup.1H NMR analysis for Compound 6 is as shown below.

[0094] .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 6.63 (s, 1H), 4.06 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 4H), 3.89 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.45-2.54 (m, 9H), 2.27-2.34 (m, 2H), 2.22 (s, 3H), 1.90-1.97 (m, 2H), 1.56-1.65 (m, 8H), 1.31-1.47 (m, 20H), 1.25-1.26 (m, 36H), 0.86-0.89 (m, 12H).

1-7. Preparation of Compound 7

[0095] As shown in FIG. 7, Compound 7-a (3.00 g, 5.62 mmol), Compound 7-b (654 mg, 1.87 mmol), K.sub.2CO.sub.3 (397 mg, 3.75 mmol), and NaI (281 mg, 1.87 mmol) were added to MeCN (25 mL) followed by replacement with nitrogen gas, and then the mixture was stirred at 50 C. in the presence of nitrogen gas for 4 hours. Afterwards, it was diluted with purified water (60 mL), extracted with EtOAc (50 mL3 times), washed with brine (100 mL), and dried with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, followed by filtration. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure, and purified on the silica gel twice (DCM/MeOH=100/1 to 19/1 and DCM (0.1% 7M ammonia water/MeOH)/MeOH=100/1 to 10/1) to obtain Compound 7 in a yellow oil form. The result of .sup.1H NMR analysis for Compound 7 is as shown below.

[0096] .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 6.54 (s, 1H), 4.84-4.90 (m 1H), 4.06 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 2H), 3.82 (t, J=6.8, 2H), 2.39-2.42 (m, 6H), 2.35-2.36 (m, 3H), 2.28-2.30 (m, 4H), 2.18 (s, 3H), 1.82-1.84 (m, 2H), 1.57-1.67 (m, 6H), 1.50-1.55 (m, 4H), 1.40-1.44 (m, 4H), 1.24-1.35 (m, 48H), 0.86-0.70 (m, 9H).

1-8. Preparation of Compound 8

[0097] As shown in FIG. 8, Compound 8-a (3.00 g, 5.62 mmol), Compound 8-b (549 mg, 1.87 mmol), Na.sub.2CO.sub.3 (397 mg, 3.75 mmol), and NaI (281 mg, 1.87 mmol) were added to MeCN (25 mL) followed by replacement with nitrogen gas, and then stirring was performed at 50 C. in the presence of nitrogen gas for 4 hours. Afterwards, it was diluted with purified water (60 mL), extracted with EtOAc (50 mL3 times), washed with brine (100 mL), and dried with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, followed by filtration. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure and purified on the silica gel twice (DCM/MeOH=100/1 to 19/1 and DCM (0.1% 7M NH.sub.3.Math.MeOH)/MeOH=100/1 to 10/1) to obtained Compound 8 in a yellow oil form. The result of .sup.1H NMR analysis for Compound 8 is as shown below.

[0098] .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 6.54 (s, 1H), 4.84-4.94 (m, 2H), 3.82 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.39-2.42 (m, 6H), 2.37 (s, 3H), 2.25-2.29 (m, 4H), 2.18 (s, 3H), 1.82-1.84 (m, 2H), 1.57-1.62 (m, 6H), 1.51-1.55 (m, 4H), 1.39-1.42 (m, 4H), 1.26-1.32 (m, 38H), 1.20 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 3H), 0.87-0.92 (m, 9H).

[Example 2] Characterization of the Size and Surface Charge of Lipid Nanoparticles

[0099] The size and surface charge of lipid nanoparticles according to the ionizable lipid prepared in Example 1 were measured. To measure the size of the lipid nanoparticles, dilution was conducted using PBS to reach the concentration of mRNA contained in each lipid nanoparticle to 1 g/mL, and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) of Malvern Zetasizer Nano (Malvern Instruments, UK) was applied to measure the diameter and a polydispersity index (hereinafter referred to as PDI) of lipid nanoparticles. In addition, in order to measure the surface charge of lipid nanoparticles, dilution was conducted using PBS to reach the concentration of mRNA contained in each lipid nanoparticle to 1 g/mL, and the surface charge (zeta potential) was measured using the same equipment as above.

[0100] As a result, as shown in Table 1, the lipid nanoparticles all showed a size of 80120 nm and optimum PDI, while the surface charge showed a value of +30 mV or less in water.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Compound Number Particle size (nm) PDI Surface Charge (mV) 1 121 0.09 +29.1 2 106 0.12 +28.1 3 78 0.18 1.4 4 84 0.13 +2.0 5 104 0.08 +19.9 6 102 0.07 +21.1 7 109 0.24 +26.3

[Example 3] Determination of a Gene Encapsulation Efficiency

[0101] To determine a gene encapsulation efficiency of lipid nanoparticles, the Quant-iT Ribogreen RNA Reagent and Kit was used. A stock solution for the calibration curve was prepared by taking 5 L of the ribosomal RNA standard (100 g/mL in TE buffer) and diluting it with either 245 L of TE buffer or 0.4% Triton-TE buffer, respectively. Aliquots of 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 L of the stock solution were taken, diluted with TE buffer or 0.4% Triton-TE buffer to achieve a total volume of 100 L, and then mixed with 100 L of Quant-iT Ribogreen RNA Reagent; the fluorescence intensity (excitation 475 nm and emission 500550 nm) was measured to create a calibration curve. A volume of 5 L of the nanoparticle solution prepared in Example 2 was taken and diluted with 245 L of TE buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl, 1 mM EDTA, pH 7.5 in DEPC-treated water). After 50 L of TE buffer or 50 L of 2% Triton-TE buffer was added to 50 L of the diluted nanoparticle solution, respectively, the mixture was incubated at 37 C. for about 10 minutes. Afterwards, 40 L of each mixture was transferred to a microplate, and 60 L of TE buffer and 100 L of Quant-iT Ribogreen RNA Reagent were added sequentially to measure the fluorescence intensity. After calculating the gene dosage (T0) in the TE buffer and the gene dosage (T2) in the 2% Triton-TE buffer by substituting the measured fluorescence intensity into the calibration curve, the gene encapsulation efficiency was calculated using the following Mathematical Equation 1. The values of gene encapsulation efficiency were listed in Table 2. As a result, all the compounds showed optimal gene encapsulation efficiency.

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}\mathrm{Gene}\mathrm{encapsulation}\mathrm{efficiency}\left(\%\right)=\frac{\left(T2-T0\right)}{T2}*100& \left[\mathrm{Mathematical}\mathrm{Equation}1\right]\end{array}$

[0102] As a result, as shown in Table 2, it was found that all the compounds exhibited favorable gene encapsulation efficiency.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Compound Number Gene encapsulation efficiency (%) 1 99.7 2 94.9 3 93.8 4 78.2 5 93.5 6 94.1 7 98.9

[Example 4] Evaluation of the Gene Delivery Efficacy of Lipid Nanoparticles

4-1. Evaluation of the Intracellular Gene Delivery Efficacy

[0103] To determine the intracellular gene delivery efficacy of lipid nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles encapsulated with FLuc mRNA(Fluc mRNA-LNP) were used. To evaluate the gene delivery efficacy, HeLa cells (Korea Cell Line Bank, Seoul), human cervical cancer cell lines expressing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors on the cell surface, were used, and cultured with the MEM medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and penicillin/streptomycin at 37 C. in the presence of 5% CO.sub.2. HeLa cell lines were seeded at 210.sup.4 cells per well in a 96-well plate, and after 1624 hours, the cells were treated with lipid nanoparticles at a concentration of 0.25 g/ml based on encapsulated mRNA, in a total volume of 100 l MEM medium per well in the absence or the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS).

[0104] To measure the expression of intracellular luciferase after FLuc mRNA delivery by lipid nanoparticles, the cells were washed with PBS after 6 hours of treatment. Then, and 100 l of Glo-Lysis Buffer (Promega, WI, USA) was added to lyse the cells at room temperature for 5 minutes. The lysed cells were added with 100 l of Steady-Glo Luciferase Assay solution (Promega) in a 1:1 ratio, left at room temperature for 5 minutes, and then transferred to a 96-well white plate. Luminescent values were detected using a GloMax Discover microplate reader (Promega). Recombinant luciferase (Promega) was used as the standard material to generate the calibration curve, which was used to determine the luciferase concentration (pg/ml) in the samples.

[0105] As shown in Table 3, it was determined that lipid nanoparticles (Compounds 12) showed a high gene delivery efficacy even in the absence of FBS. These results indicated that the lipid nanoparticles could be effectively utilized for gene delivery even in a serum-free environment.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Luciferase expression level (Mean SD, pg/ml) Compound Number w/o FBS 10% FBS 1 16,685 646 16,060 102 2 15,270 2,273 8,492 2,375

4-2. Evaluation of the Gene Delivery Efficiency In Vivo

[0106] In order to identify the gene delivery efficacy and distribution of lipid nanoparticles in vivo, lipid nanoparticles were injected into 7-week-old mice of the C57BL/6 lineage either intravenously or intramuscularly in the thigh. The liver was extracted in the case of intravenous injection and the organs including the femoral muscle were extracted in the case of intramuscular injection by sacrificing the mice after 4 hours.

[0107] To determine the level of luciferase expression in tissue samples, the tissue sections were weighed and transferred to a tube containing 3 mm metal beads, and a homogenized by adding 500 l of Glo-Lysis Buffer (Promega) per 50 mg of tissue. The supernatant from the centrifuged homogenates was collected and diluted with the Glo-Lysis Buffer to an appropriate ratio. The diluted homogenates and the Steady-Glo Luciferase Assay solution were then mixed in a 1:1 ratio, with 50 l of each. After a 5-minute incubation, the luminescence values of luciferase were measured using the same method as described in Example 3-1, and the expression levels (ng/g tissue) of luciferase were calculated.

[0108] As a result, as shown in Table 4, the lipid nanoparticles (Compounds 46) demonstrated favorable gene delivery efficacy to the liver following intravenous injection, and as shown in Table 5, the lipid nanoparticles (Compounds 56) showed locally restricted gene delivery in the muscle when injected intramuscularly.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Compound Number Luciferase expression level (Mean SD, ng/g) 4 6,844 2,052 5 2,582 745 6 1,172 99

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Compound Number Luciferase expression level (Mean SD, ng/g) 5 651 158 6 358 74

[0109] While a specific part of the present invention has been described in detail above, it is clear for those skilled in the art that this specific description is merely preferred example embodiments, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereby. In other words, the substantial scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.