Abstract: Disclosed are compositions-of-matter comprising polymer-mediated cochleates, which are formed from a calcium-free mixture of a wide variety of phospholipids that are atypical for forming cochleates. Further disclosed are compositions-of-matter comprising these cochleates which co-encapsulate another bioactive agent. The polymer mediating the formation of these cochleates exhibits a plurality of positively charged amino acid residues and omega-amino-fatty acid moieties, and may further exhibit antimicrobial, anticancerous and drug-potentiating activity. Further disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods using the compositions-of-matter disclosed herein, and processes of preparing same.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions-of-matter comprising polymer-mediated cochleates, which are formed from a calcium-free mixture of a wide variety of phospholipids that are atypical for forming cochleates. Further disclosed are compositions-of-matter comprising these cochleates which co-encapsulate another bioactive agent. The polymer mediating the formation of these cochleates exhibits a plurality of positively charged amino acid residues and omega-amino-fatty acid moieties, and may further exhibit antimicrobial, anticancerous and drug-potentiating activity. Further disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods using the compositions-of-matter disclosed herein, and processes of preparing same.

Abstract: A stable aqueous dispersion which comprises a cationic lipid which is a molecule which comprises a cholesterol-derived lipophilic group, a linker bond which is hydrolyzable by cellular enzymes and relatively resistant to base-catalyzed hydrolysis, a spacer arm and a cationic amino group, and an appropriate co-lipid. The invention also includes the cationic lipids and mammalian plasmid DNA or other cells in admixture with the aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: A cationic lipid useful in transfection of cells with DNA is disclosed.

Abstract: A stable aqueous dispersion which comprises a cationic lipid which is a molecule which comprises a cholesterol-derived lipophilic group, a linker bond which is hydrolyzable by cellular enzymes and relatively resistant to base-catalyzed hydrolysis, a spacer arm and a cationic amino group, and an appropriate co-lipid. The invention also includes the cationic lipids and mammalian plasmid DNA or other cells in admixture with the aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: A stable aqueous dispersion which comprises a cationic lipid which is a molecule which comprises a cholesterol-derived lipophilic group, a linker bond which is hydrolyzable by cellular enzymes and relatively resistant to base-catalyzed hydrolysis, a spacer arm and a cationic amino group, and an appropriate co-lipid. The invention also includes the cationic lipids and mammalian plasmid DNA or other cells in admixture with the aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: A stable aqueous dispersion which comprises a cationic lipid which is a molecule which comprises a cholesterol-derived lipophilic group, a linker bond which is hydrolyzable by cellular enzymes and relatively resistant to base-catalyzed hydrolysis, a spacer arm and a cationic amino group, and an appropriate co-lipid. The invention also includes the cationic lipids and mammalian plasmid DNA or other cells in admixture with the aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: A stable aqueous dispersion which comprises a cationic lipid which is a molecule which comprises a cholesterol-derived lipophilic group, a linker bond which is hydrolyzable by cellular enzymes and relatively resistant to base-catalyzed hydrolysis, a spacer arm and a cationic amino group, and an appropriate co-lipid. The invention also includes the cationic lipids and mammalian plasmid DNA or other cells in admixture with the aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the transfer of nucleic acids into cells comprising preparing a mixed lipid dispersion of a cationic lipid with a co-lipid in a suitable carrier solvent. The lipid has a structure which includes a lipophilic group derived from cholesterol, a linker bond, a spacer arm including from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms in a branched or unbranched linear alkyl chain, and a cationic amino group selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary amino groups. The method further comprises adding the nucleic acids to the dispersion to form a complex. The cells are then treated with the complex. There is also disclosed a novel cationic amphiphile useful for this purpose.