Viral core protein-cationic lipid-nucleic acid-delivery complexes

A condensed polypeptide/nucleic acid complex comprising a cationic lipid, a polypeptide component and a nucleic acid component, for use in delivering the nucleic acid component to a nucleus of a eukaryotic cell, wherein

• (i) the polypeptide component is a viral nucleic acid packaging polypeptide, or derivative thereof;
• (ii) the polypeptide component or derivative thereof is capable of binding to the NOI;
• and
• (iii) the polypeptide component or derivative thereof is capable of condensing the NOI;
• and wherein the nucleic acid is heterologous to the polypeptide.

A method of producing a non-viral nucleic acid delivery vector comprising a cationic lipid and a condensed polypeptide/ nucleic acid complex, which method comprises

• (a) contacting an nucleic acid sequence of interest (NOI) with a viral nucleic acid packaging polypeptide or derivative thereof, said polypeptide component or derivative thereof being (i) capable of binding to the NOI;
• and (ii) capable of condensing the NOI;
• and wherein the NOI is heterologous to the polypeptide;
• and
• (b) contacting the nucleic acid/polypeptide complex thusformed with a cationic lipid.