Method for protein-liposome coupling
AssigneeThe Liposome Company, Inc.
InventorsHelen C. Loughrey, Pieter R. Cullis, Marcel B. Bally, Lewis S. Choi
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Abstract
This invention relates to a method for synthesizing a substantially pure reactive lipid including, for example, N-[4-(p-maleimidophenyl)-butyryl]phosphatidylethanolamine (MPB-PE) and related compositions. The compositions of the present invention are useful as coupling agents and may be incorporated into liposomes and subsequently coupled to proteins, cofactors and a number of other molecules. A preferred coupling method is also disclosed as are protein conjugates.
Claims25
A conjugated liposome comprising the reaction product of:
- (a) a reactive liposome comprising an amount of a reactive lipid effective for binding a conjugated molecule and an amount of a liposome forming lipid effective for forming a liposome, wherein said reactive lipid is the reaction product of a nucleophilic lipid and a crosslinking agent having a maleimide moiety and wherein said liposome is substantially free of lipids bound to opened-ring maleimide moities;
- and
- (b) an amount of the conjugated molecule conjugated to said reactive liposome effective for therapeutic and diagnostic targeting.
The conjugated liposome according to 1 wherein said reactive lipid comprises at least about 0.05 mole percent and said liposome forming lipid comprises no greater than about 99.95 mole percent of the lipid of said reactive liposome.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.