Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a nanoparticle comprising at least one cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) and a cargo molecule, said method comprising the steps: preparing a CPP solution comprising a CPP, a dry alcohol; and 1-50% (v/v) of an aprotic solvent; diluting the CPP solution in water to a concentration of 2 to 500 ?M, and adding the cargo molecule to the CPP solution to obtain a CPP:CM mixture; whereby nanoparticles comprising CPP and cargo molecule are formed. The invention further relates to a nanoparticle obtained or obtainable by the method, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for predicting or designing, detecting, and/or verifying a novel cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) and to a method for using said new CPP and/or a novel usage of a known CPP for an improved cellular uptake of a cellular effector, coupled to said CPP. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for predicting or designing, detecting and/or verifying a novel cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) that mimics cellular effector activity and/or inhibits cellular effector activity. The present invention additionally relates to the use of said CPP for treating and/or preventing a medical condition and to the use of said CPP for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for treating a medical condition.

Abstract: Constructs of peptides and nucleic acid analogs conjugated together for transport across a lipid membrane and for delivery into interactive contact with intracellular polynucleotides are disclosed. Transport is effected through at least the exterior membrane of a cell, and most likely also through the walls of subcellular structures separated from the cytosol by lipid membranes, including the nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, etc. Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) analog sequences conjugated through a labile disulfide bond to transporting peptides, are intracellulary cleaved, and target mRNA (antigene) or dsDNA (antisense).