Composition and method for delivery of nucleic acids

A method for introducing nucleic acid into a cell comprising exposing the cell to a compound having the formula:

• w . . . x--y--NH--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 O--R.sub.5
• in which:
• w is a nucleic acid
• x is a non-amino acid or non-peptide binding group
• y is a spacer having a chain length equivalent to 1-30 carbon-carbon single covalent bonds or is absent
• R.sub.5 is alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxylated alkyl, hydroxylated alkenyl group or ether containing alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxylated alkyl or hydroxylated alkenyl group, optionally being an acyl group derived from a fatty acid having a carbon chain length equivalent to 3-24 carbon atoms saturated or unsaturated, with the proviso that R.sub.5 includes a group having a carbon chain of 3-24 carbon atoms saturated or unsaturated.

A compound for use in introducing nucleic acid into a cell, the compound having the formula ##STR6## in which:

• w is a nucleic acid
• x is a non-amino acid or non-peptide binding group
• y is a spacer having a chain length equivalent to 1-30 carbon-carbon single covalent bonds or is absent
• R.sub.4 is H or halogen or CH.sub.2 O--R.sub.3 ;
• and R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and are either hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxylated alkyl, hydroxylated alkenyl groups or ether containing alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxylated alkyl or hydroxylated alkenyl groups, optionally being an acyl group derived from a fatty acid having a carbon chain length equivalent to 3-24 carbon atoms saturated or unsaturated, with the proviso that at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 or R.sub.3 includes a group having a carbon chain of 3-24 carbon atoms saturated or unsaturated.

A compound for use in introducing nucleic acid into a cell, the compound having the formula:

• w . . . x--y--NH--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 O--R.sub.5
• in which:
• w is a nucleic acid
• x is a non-amino acid or non-peptide binding group
• y is a spacer having a chain length equivalent to 1-30 carbon-carbon single covalent bonds or is absent
• R.sub.5 is alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxylated alkyl, hydroxylated alkenyl group or ether containing alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxylated alkyl or hydroxylated alkenyl group, optionally being an acyl group derived from a fatty acid having a carbon chain length equivalent to 3-24 carbon atoms saturated or unsaturated, with the proviso that R.sub.5 includes a group having a carbon chain of 3-24 carbon atoms saturated or unsaturated.