Fusogenic compounds for delivery of biologically active molecules

A fusogenic compound having Formula VII:

• wherein each amphiphile has a structure represented by Formula VIII:
• wherein R1 and R2 are:
• R1 is CH2(CH2)nO(C═O)R4, CH2(CH2)nNH(C═O)R4, CH2(CH2)n(C═O)OR4, or CH2(CH2)n(C═O)NHR4;
• R2 or CH2(CH2)mO(C═O)R5, CH2(CH2)mNH(C═O)R5, CH2(CH2)m(C═O)OR5, or CH2(CH2)m(C═O)NHR5;
• wherein:
• n and m are each independently from 1 to 2;
• R4 and R5 are independently for each occurrence a C(12-20) alkyl group or a C(12-20) alkenyl group;
• wherein each AAa is independently an amino acid of the following structure, and any stereoisomer thereof:
• wherein the linker has a structure:
• wherein Q1 is selected from the group consisting of branched or unbranched C(2-8)alkandiyl, branched or unbranched C(2-8)alkenediyl, branched or unbranched C(2-8)alkynediyl,
• wherein Q2 is
• wherein Q3 is
• wherein X is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, and —NH—;
• n and p are independently for each occurrence 1 to 3;
• m is independently 1 to 10;
• and
• r and s are independently for each occurrence 1 to 5.