Imidazole cholesterol ester (ICE) chemical structure

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CAT. NO. DC67653Featured

Imidazole cholesterol ester (ICE)

Research highlights

ICE/DOPE/DMG-PEG2000 = 60/35/5 mol%N/P 4 main example; N/P 2 also evaluated30 mg example: 89 nm, PDI 0.12, about 86% mRNA encapsulationPulmonary CFTR mRNA expression reported in mice and rats

Pack size & price

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Total$450

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Ships from ShanghaiIce-pack transportPure lipid recommended

Product overview

Description & Application

Imidazole cholesterol ester (ICE) is a sterol‑based ionizable cationic lipid invented by Translate‑Bio (WO2018/089790 A1) for mRNA‑loaded lipid‑nanoparticle (LNP) pulmonary delivery. It fuses an imidazole pH‑responsive headgroup with cholesterol via ester linkage. Typically formulated as a three‑component LNP (ICE : DOPE : DMG‑PEG2K = 60 : 35 : 5 mol ratio), ICE‑LNPs achieve high mRNA encapsulation (>80‑90 %), good nebulization stability and low toxicity. Upon cellular uptake, imidazole mediates endosomal escape; the ester bond degrades to yield cholesterol, conferring favorable biocompatibility. Animal studies demonstrate robust CFTR protein expression in bronchial and alveolar lung tissue after inhalation, making ICE promising for cystic‑fibrosis mRNA therapy.

CAS No.	Not available
Chemical Name	Imidazole cholesteryl ester (ICE)
Synonyms	ICE
SMILES	CC(C)CCCC(C)C1CCC2C3CC=C4CC(OC(=O)CCc5cnc[nH]5)CCC4(C)C3CCC12C
Formula	C33H52N2O2
M.Wt	508.78
Purity	>95% by ELSD-HPLC
Storage	Pure form: −20 °C, 2 years; In DMSO: 4 °C, 2 weeks; −80 °C, 6 months.
Shipping condition	Ships from Shanghai. Pure lipid is stable during ice-pack transport.
Publication	Translate Bio, Inc. Improved ICE-based lipid nanoparticle formulation for delivery of mRNA. WO2018/089790 A1. Published 17 May 2018.

Literature-reported formulation composition

Component	mol%	Role
Imidazole cholesterol ester (ICE)	60	Ionizable lipid
DOPE	35	Helper phospholipid
DMG-PEG2000	5	PEG lipid
Reported total	100	Source values retained

Formulation calculator unavailable. The 3 reported lipid components total 100 mol%. Obtain and verify the complete composition and component molecular weights before planning component quantities.

N/P ratio4

Total lipid:cargo weight ratioNot reported and not inferred.

Buffer & pHRNA phase: 10 mM citrate/150 mM NaCl, pH 4.5. The final buffer after exchange is not specified in the reviewed example.

CargoCodon-optimized human CFTR mRNA

Administration routePulmonary delivery by nebulization or intratracheal MicroSprayer, according to example

DoseExamples include 50 micrograms encapsulated mRNA by intratracheal MicroSprayer and nominal aerosol-chamber charges stated in milligrams; deposited lung dose was not reported.

Animal modelWild-type or CFTR-knockout mice and rats

Formulation processICE, DOPE and DMG-PEG2000 were dissolved in ethanol at 10 mg/mL and mixed with CFTR mRNA in aqueous buffer using rapid injection or a pump system. The 30 mg example used 90 mL lipid solution and 360 mL aqueous phase, producing 20% ethanol before TFF buffer exchange, concentration and frozen storage.

Literature-reported performance for the cited formulation

Literature-reportedFormulation propertiesAbout 86% encapsulation; 89 nm; PDI 0.1230 mg scale; 60/35/5 mol%; N/P 4Paragraphs [0251]-[0252]

Literature-reportedScale examples85-97% encapsulation and 50-89 nm across selected examplesN/P 4; scale and cargo variedParagraphs [0249]-[0262]

Literature-reportedPulmonary hCFTR proteinDetected in bronchial epithelial and alveolar regionsRodent lung, 24 h after intratracheal aerosol or nebulizationParagraphs [0264]-[0281], Figs. 1-6

Literature-reportedExpression time courseStrongest staining at 24-72 h; detectable signal reported to 28 days in the rat dose studySingle pulmonary exposureParagraphs [0292]-[0299], Figs. 10-13

Selected ICE patent formulation examples

Example	Condition	Reported result
15 mg	60/35/5 mol%; N/P 4	85% encapsulation; 65 nm; PDI 0.13
30 mg	60/35/5 mol%; N/P 4	86% encapsulation; 89 nm; PDI 0.12
60 mg	60/35/5 mol%; N/P 4	97% encapsulation; 67 nm; PDI 0.12
3.5 g	60/35/5 mol%; N/P 4	91% encapsulation; 50 nm; PDI 0.17

WO2018/089790 A1, paragraphs [0249]-[0258].

Additional reported findings

Three-component architecture

The repeated examples use ICE, DOPE and DMG-PEG2000 without a separate cholesterol helper lipid.

The first rapid-injection paragraph contains an inconsistent mention of cholesterol while giving only the three-part 60:35:5 ratio; the repeated pump examples resolve the operational composition. · Paragraphs [0246]-[0259]

Respiratory observation

In the reported rat comparison, ICE-CFTR mRNA formulations did not increase respiratory rate or lung weight relative to buffer, unlike the branched-PEI comparator.

Single-dose inhalation patent example; group sizes were not stated in the reviewed text. · Paragraph [0300], Fig. 14

Literature Data DisclaimerAll formulation parameters and performance values shown in this section are derived from the cited publication and are provided for reference only. These results were obtained using the specific materials, formulation process, cargo, dose, analytical method, model and administration route described in that study. Unless otherwise stated, the data were not generated or independently verified by DC Chemicals. DC Chemicals supplies the lipid compound only and does not guarantee that customers will reproduce the reported LNP properties or biological performance.

The administration route shown above was used in the cited study and is not a clinical-use instruction or recommendation by DC Chemicals.

Cited literature for this formulation and performance datasetTranslate Bio, Inc. Improved ICE-based lipid nanoparticle formulation for delivery of mRNA. WO2018/089790 A1. Published 17 May 2018. DOI: https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2018089790A1/en
All formulation and biological statements are limited to the ICE examples in WO2018/089790 A1 and are labeled as patent-reported preclinical evidence.

WO2018/089790 A1

Laboratory planning

Solution Calculators

The product molecular weight is prefilled when available and remains editable. Confirm solvent compatibility and solubility before preparation.

Mass = concentration × volume × molecular weight

MassConcentrationVolumeMolecular weightg/mol

Enter any three values to calculate the fourth.

C₁V₁ = C₂V₂

C₁mMV₁mLC₂mMV₂mL

Enter any three values to calculate the fourth.

Preparing stock solutions

Quick preparation table

Solvent volumes update from the molecular weight above.

Mass	1 mM	5 mM	10 mM
10 mg	Enter molecular weight	Enter molecular weight	Enter molecular weight
25 mg	Enter molecular weight	Enter molecular weight	Enter molecular weight
50 mg	Enter molecular weight	Enter molecular weight	Enter molecular weight
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250 mg	Enter molecular weight	Enter molecular weight	Enter molecular weight

Need a different pack size or technical document?

Contact our team with the catalog number and requested quantity.

Handling guidance

Shipping, storage and sampling

How is the lipid shipped, and how should I store it?

We generally ship the neat (undissolved) lipid compound rather than an ethanol solution. The neat lipid is stable during transport with ice packs, and shipments originate from Shanghai. Pure form: store at −20 °C for up to 1 year. In solvent: store at −80 °C for up to 6 months or at −20 °C for up to 1 month. Keep sealed and protected from light. Avoid repeated thaw cycles for best results.

Pure lipid or solution — which should I choose?

Pure lipid is generally more stable during shipping and storage, so we usually recommend the pure form. A solution in ethanol or chloroform can be supplied when required by your workflow. Tell us the intended application, solvent and target concentration so the most suitable format can be confirmed.

How should I measure a small amount of oily or viscous lipid?

Ionizable lipids are often oily liquids or viscous semisolids, so material can be lost during repeated weighing or transfer. For a small pack, dissolve the entire quantity and aliquot it volumetrically. For example, add 1 mL ethanol to 25 mg lipid to prepare a 25 mg/mL stock, then use a pipette to withdraw the required amount. For quantities above 100 mg, direct weighing with an analytical balance may be more practical. Always confirm solvent compatibility and solubility first.

Can you support formulation optimization and scale-up?

Yes. Share the RNA cargo, target tissue, administration route, formulation method and assay plan. Our team can discuss starting molar ratios, N/P ratio and scale-up requirements for research workflows.

Imidazole cholesterol ester (ICE)

Pack size & price

Description & Application

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