Peptide–Lipid Conjugates

Custom peptide–lipid conjugation and peptide lipidation services for research-stage and preclinical applications (project-dependent).

Design-led peptide lipidation supporting fatty acid–, cholesterol–, and PEG-lipid modified peptides with site-defined attachment options.

Overview

Peptide–lipid conjugates are hybrid molecules in which a peptide is covalently linked to a lipid or lipid-derived moiety through a defined chemical linkage. By combining peptide binding/transport properties with lipid-driven hydrophobicity and membrane interaction, peptide–lipid conjugation is explored as a strategy to tune biodistribution, uptake, and exposure during research and early development (project-dependent). [1], [2]

In a typical design, the peptide may function as a targeting ligand, receptor-binding element, or cell-penetrating sequence, while the lipid contributes membrane affinity and/or serum protein binding behavior. [3] [2] Attachment site selection and linker chemistry strongly influence solubility, aggregation tendency, and functional performance.

Peptide–lipid conjugates
Fatty acid–modified peptides
Palmitoylated peptides
Cholesterol-conjugated peptides
PEG-lipid conjugates
45+ Years of Expertise
U.S. Facilities – Texas

Bio-Synthesis provides custom peptide–lipid conjugation and peptide lipidation services to support discovery-stage and preclinical research programs. Our approach is design-led and sequence-aware, with conjugation strategies selected based on the peptide structure, lipid chemistry, attachment site constraints, and intended downstream application. We support fatty acid–modified peptides, cholesterol-conjugated peptides, PEG-lipid designs, and cleavable lipid attachment concepts using site-defined chemistries to minimize heterogeneity and preserve peptide functionality.

Related capability: Peptide–drug conjugation services

Branched peptide synthesis schematic showing a lysine branching core with two to eight peptide arms (MAP-2, MAP-4, MAP-8) and dendrimer for multivalent epitope presentation.

Figure: Peptide–lipid conjugate architecture showing peptide carrier, lipid moiety (fatty acid or cholesterol), and chemical linkage.

Vendor-safe note: Lipid selection, attachment site, and linkage type are determined on a project-specific basis based on peptide sequence, lipid chemistry, and intended use.

Why use peptide lipidation?

Peptide–lipid conjugates are commonly explored to adjust physicochemical and biological behavior through controlled hydrophobic modification (project-dependent).

PK modulation

Fatty acid lipidation is often explored to increase serum half-life via albumin binding behavior (project-dependent).

Membrane interaction

Lipid anchors can increase membrane association and influence uptake mechanisms (project-dependent).

Formulation concepts

Some peptide–lipid conjugates are explored for self-assembly and dispersion behavior (project-dependent).

Representative lipid components supported

The items below are representative examples commonly used in peptide–lipid conjugation projects. Final lipid selection is project-dependent.

Fatty acids
  • Lauric acid (C12)
  • Myristic acid (C14)
  • Palmitic acid (C16)
  • Stearic acid (C18)
  • Oleic acid (C18:1)
  • Linoleic acid (C18:2)
  • Arachidic acid (C20)
  • Behenic acid (C22)

Common outputs: palmitoylated peptides; fatty acid–modified peptides

Sterols & sterol derivatives
  • Cholesterol
  • Cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHS)
  • Cholesteryl carbonate / carbamate (project-dependent)

Sterol conjugation is often explored for membrane association and delivery studies (project-dependent).

Phospholipid-derived anchors
  • PE derivatives (e.g., DOPE-related, project-dependent)
  • DSPE-related anchors (project-dependent)
  • Lyso-PE (project-dependent)

Selections depend on the desired assembly/formulation concept and compatibility (project-dependent).

PEG-lipid options
  • PEG–fatty acid (PEG spacer + acyl chain)
  • DSPE–PEG (e.g., PEG2000-class, project-dependent)
  • PEG–cholesterol (project-dependent)

PEG spacers can improve dispersion/handling and reduce aggregation risk (project-dependent).

Cleavable lipid attachment concepts
  • Ester-linked fatty acids (hydrolyzable)
  • Thioester linkages (project-dependent)
  • Disulfide-linked lipid anchors (redox-cleavable, project-dependent)

Cleavable designs are selected when conditional lipid removal is part of the study hypothesis.

Request-specific support: If you provide your peptide sequence, desired attachment site, and lipid preference (or goal), we can recommend a short list of feasible lipidation options for your program (project-dependent).

Choosing a lipid for peptide–lipid conjugation

Lipid selection is driven by the desired balance between hydrophobicity, stability, and performance. The guide below summarizes common starting points used in peptide lipidation services scoping (project-dependent).

Design goal Common starting lipid Why selected Practical notes
Half-life extension concept Palmitic acid (C16) Often explored for albumin-binding behavior (project-dependent) Attachment site and spacer choice influence solubility and activity retention.
Stronger membrane association Cholesterol Sterol anchor increases membrane affinity (project-dependent) May require solubility/handling optimization and tailored purification.
Solubility balance Oleic acid (C18:1) or PEG–lipid Unsaturation or PEG spacer can reduce aggregation risk PEG length and lipid chain length are tuned to the peptide and intended use.
Conditional lipid removal Ester-linked lipid Explored for hydrolysis-triggered removal concepts Stability depends on buffer, storage, and assay conditions (project-dependent).

Conjugation strategies (concepts)

Conjugation routes are selected to preserve peptide functionality and support a defined attachment site whenever possible (project-dependent).

Site-defined attachment (preferred when feasible) reduce heterogeneity • improve reproducibility
site-specific defined attachment project-dependent
  • N-terminal / C-terminal lipidation for clean, defined constructs
  • Single-Cys thiol-selective approaches for controlled conjugation
  • Defined Lys strategies when sequence and selectivity allow (project-dependent)
Linkage types amide • ester • thioester • disulfide
non-cleavable cleavable handling-aware
  • Amide linkages for stable lipid attachment
  • Ester / thioester for hydrolysis-sensitive concepts (project-dependent)
  • Disulfide for redox-cleavable concepts (project-dependent)

Linker choice impacts purification conditions and storage requirements.

Solubility & purification planning hydrophobicity management • tailored chromatography

Lipidation increases hydrophobicity and can change chromatographic behavior. Solvent and buffer choices are selected to support clean purification and minimize aggregation (project-dependent).

  • Spacer selection to balance hydrophobicity
  • Analytical method suitability checks
  • Handling guidance for storage and reconstitution

Workflow: building peptide–lipid conjugates

Design review

Peptide sequence + reactive handles • lipid selection goal • attachment site preference • linkage stability needs.

Conjugation build

Select coupling route to deliver a defined construct while managing hydrophobicity and compatibility (project-dependent).

Purify & verify

Purification + identity/purity confirmation; deliverables aligned to intended use (project-dependent).

Fastest quoting tip: share peptide sequence(s), target lipid (or goal), desired attachment site (or constraints), quantity/purity targets, and intended use.

Quality control & deliverables

Standard QC
  • Analytical HPLC/UPLC purity profile
  • LC-MS identity confirmation (when feasible)
  • COA + method summary
Hydrophobicity-aware support
  • Purification method selection (project-dependent)
  • Handling guidance for reconstitution/storage
  • Optional orthogonal checks as needed
Optional: stability screens

If you need evidence of linkage stability under defined conditions, share the matrix and time window.

  • Condition-specific checks (project-dependent)
  • Intact conjugate monitoring
  • Cleavable concept checks (if required)

Our Quality Commitment

Bio-Synthesis is committed to Total Quality Management (TQM) across peptide synthesis, modification, and conjugation services. Peptide–lipid conjugates are produced using controlled procedures with documented workflows and fit-for-purpose in-process checks.

  • Purity profiling: analytical HPLC/UPLC for intact conjugate purity
  • Identity confirmation: LC–MS when feasible (method suitability is conjugate-dependent)
  • Reproducibility: site-defined attachment strategies to reduce heterogeneity
  • Documentation: COA and method summary aligned to intended use

Quality practices follow ISO 9001–aligned processes, with scalable controls to support research, preclinical, and transition-stage programs as required.

FAQ

What do you need to quote a peptide lipidation project?

Provide peptide sequence(s), target lipid (or goal), desired attachment site/constraints, quantity/purity targets, and intended use.

Do you offer cleavable lipid attachment?

Cleavable concepts (e.g., ester or disulfide-based designs) may be feasible depending on the peptide, lipid, and intended handling/assay conditions (project-dependent).

Can you do site-specific peptide lipidation?

Yes (project-dependent). Options can include N-/C-terminal attachment, single-Cys thiol-selective chemistry, or defined side-chain handles to reduce heterogeneity.

What are peptide–lipid conjugates?

Peptide–lipid conjugates are hybrid molecules where a peptide is linked to a lipid moiety through a defined chemical linkage. Lipidation is explored to tune hydrophobicity, membrane interaction, and pharmacokinetic behavior (project-dependent).

Contact & quote request

For the fastest quote on custom peptide–lipid conjugates, share your peptide sequence(s), lipid preference (or goal), desired attachment site (or constraints), quantity/purity targets, and intended use.

Fastest path
Fast quote checklist
  • Peptide sequence(s) + termini state and any reactive handles (Cys/Lys/azide/alkyne)
  • Target lipid (or goal such as “palmitoylation” or “cholesterol conjugation”)
  • Desired attachment site (or constraints) + any “must-keep” peptide motifs
  • Quantity (mg), purity target, intended use, and timeline constraints

Speak to a Scientist

Full Name *
Email *
Company / Institution *
Phone *
Notes *Please avoid confidential details; we can arrange an NDA if needed.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted regarding your request.

Recommended reading

These peer‑reviewed publications provide background on peptide lipidation, fatty‑acid derivatization (albumin binding/half‑life extension concepts), and cholesterol‑conjugated peptide architectures used in delivery and self‑assembly studies.

  • Kowalczyk, R.; Harris, P. W. R.; Williams, G. M.; Yang, S.-H.; Brimble, M. A. Peptide Lipidation – A Synthetic Strategy to Afford Peptide‑Based Therapeutics. In Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (AEMB), 2018. DOI
  • Kurtzhals, P.; Østergaard, S.; Nishimura, E.; et al. Derivatization with fatty acids in peptide and protein drug discovery. Nat. Rev. Drug Discov. 22, 59–80 (2023). DOI
  • Tang, Q.; Cao, B.; Wu, H.; Cheng, G. Cholesterol‑Peptide Hybrids to Form Liposome‑Like Vesicles for Gene Delivery. PLOS ONE 8(1): e54460 (2013). DOI
  • Ward, B. P.; et al. Peptide lipidation stabilizes structure to enhance biological function. Mol. Metab. 2(4), 468–479 (2013). (mechanistic discussion of lipid chain effects on peptide structure)
  • Melby, J. O.; et al. Effect of Lipidation on the Structure, Oligomerization, and Aggregation of GLP‑1. Bioconjugate Chem. (2024). DOI
E‑E‑A‑T note: References are included to support scientific context for design concepts (lipid choice, spacer/linkage, and site selection). They do not imply clinical claims. Bio‑Synthesis provides custom synthesis and conjugation support; feasibility and methods are selected on a project‑specific basis.

Why Choose Bio-Synthesis

Trusted by biotech leaders worldwide for over 40+ years of delivering high quality, fast and scalable synthetic biology solutions.