Composition comprising an endosomolytic agent for introducing nucleic acid complexes into higher eucaryotic cells

US5981273A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• Boehringer Ingelheim Int'l. GmbH · DE
• Genentech, Inc. · US
• University of North Carolina · US

Inventors

• David T. Curiel · Birmingham, US
• Max L. Birnstiel · Wien, AT
• Matthew Cotten · Wien, AT
• Ernst-Werner Wagner · Langenzersdorf, AT
• Kurt Zatloukal · Wien, AT
• Christian Plank · Wien, AT
• Berndt Oberhauser · Wien, AT
• Walter Schmidt · Wien, AT

Key dates

• Filing date: May 25, 1995
• Grant date: Nov 9, 1999
• Expiry date: May 25, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N2740/16022
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A composition for the transfection of higher eucaryotic cells, comprising complexes of nucleic acid, a substance having an affinity for nucleic acid and optionally an internalizing factor, contains an endosomolytic agent, e.g. a virus or virus component, which may be conjugated. The endosomolytic agent, which is optionally part of the nucleic acid complex, is internalized into the cells together with the complex and releases the contents of the endosomes into the cytoplasm, thereby increasing the gene transfer capacity. Pharmaceutical preparations, transfection kits and methods for introducing nucleic acid into higher eucaryotic cells by treating the cells with the composition are also disclosed.