IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,738,074

Granted Patent B2

US 10,738,074 · App. 15/752,144 · Granted Aug 11, 2020

Cyclic di-nucleotide compounds as STING agonists

Inventors: Michael D. Altman (Needham, MA); Brian Andresen (Sharon, MA); Wonsuk Chang (Princeton, NJ); Matthew Lloyd Childers (Medfield, MA); Jared N. Cumming (Winchester, MA); Andrew Marc Haidle (Somerville, MA); Timothy J. Henderson (Natick, MA); James P. Jewell (Newton, MA); Min Lu (Brookline, MA); Alan B. Northrup (Belmont, CA); Ryan D. Otte (Natick, MA); Tony Siu (Brookline, MA); Benjamin Wesley Trotter (Medfield, MA); Quang T. Truong (Morganville, NJ)

Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.

C07H21/04 A61K39/39 A61P35/00 C07H19/20 C07H19/23 C07H21/00 C07H21/02 A61K31/706 A61K31/708 A61K31/7064 A61K31/7076 A61K31/7084

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 10,738,074
App. No.: 15/752,144
Granted: Aug 11, 2020
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A class of polycyclic compounds of general formula (II), of general formula (II′), or of general formula (II″), wherein Base 1 , Base 2 , Y, Y a , X a , X a1 , X b , X b1 , X c , X c1 , X d , X d1 , R 1 , R 1a , R 2 , R 2a , R 3a , R 4 , R 4a , R 5 , R 6 , R 6a , R 7 , R 7a , R 8 , and R 8a are defined herein, that may be useful as inductors of type I interferon production, specifically as STING active agents, are provided. Also provided are processes for the synthesis and use of compounds.

Claims (179)

1. A method of inducing STING-dependent type I interferon production in a subject, said method comprising:

(a) administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (II) to the subject, wherein the compound of formula (II) is:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

Base 1 and Base 2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of

Base 1 and Base 2 each may be independently substituted by 0-3 substituents R 10 , where each R 10 is independently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, I, Br, OH, SH, NH 2 , C 1-3 alkyl, C 3-6 cycloalkyl, O(C 1-3 alkyl), O(C 3-6 cycloalkyl), S(C 1-3 alkyl), S(C 3-6 cycloalkyl), NH(C 1-3 alkyl), NH(C 3-6 cycloalkyl), N(C 1-3 alkyl) 2 , and N(C 3-6 cycloalkyl) 2 ;

Y and Y a are each independently selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —SO 2 —, —CH 2 —, and —CF 2 —;

X a and X a1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O, CH 2 , and S;

X b and X b1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O, C, and S;

X c and X c1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O − , S − , OR 9 , and NR 9 R 9 ;

X d and X d1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;

R 1 and R 1a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 1 and R 1a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 1 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ,

R 2 and R 2a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 2 and R 2a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 3a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 , alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 3a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 4 and R 4a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 4 and R 4a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 3 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 5 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 5 C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 6 and R 6a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 , alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 6 and R 6a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 7 and R 7a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 1 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 7 and R 7a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 , alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 8 and R 8a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 , haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 8 and R 8a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 , alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

each R 9 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C 1 -C 20 alkyl,

where each R 9 C 1 -C 20 alkyl is optionally substituted by 0 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of OH, —O—C 1 -C 20 alkyl, —S—C(O)C 1 -C 6 alkyl, and C(O)OC 1 -C 6 alkyl;

—O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R 3a position;

optionally R 3a and R 4a are connected to form C 1 -C 6 alkylene, C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, such that where R 3a and R 4a are connected to form —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R 3a position;

optionally R 4 and R 5 are connected to form are connected to form C 1 -C 6 alkylene, C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, such that where R 4 and R 5 are connected to form —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R 5 position;

optionally R 5 and R 6 are connected to form —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, such that where R 5 and R 6 are connected to form —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R 5 position;

optionally R 7 and R 8 are connected to form C 1 -C 6 alkylene, C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or C 2 -C 6 alkynylene; and

optionally R 7a and R 8a are connected to form C 1 -C 6 alkylene, C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or C 2 -C 6 alkynylene; and

providing that when Y and Y a are each O, X a and X a1 are each O, X b and X b1 are each O, and X c and X c1 are each OH or SH, X d and X d1 are each O, R 1 and R 1a are each H, R 2 is H, R 6 and R 6a are each H, R 7 and R 7a are each H, R 8 and R 8a are each H, and Base 1 and Base 2 are each selected from the group consisting of

R 5 and R 3a are not both selected from the group consisting of H, F and OH.

2. A method of inducing STING-dependent type I interferon production in a subject, said method comprising:

(a) administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to the subject, wherein said pharmaceutical composition comprises (a) a compound of formula (II); and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the compound of formula (II) is:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

Base 1 and Base 2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of

where Base 1 and Base 2 each may be independently substituted by 0-3 substituents R 10 , where each R 10 is independently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, I, Br, OH, SH, NH 2 , C 1-3 alkyl, C 3-6 cycloalkyl, O(C 1-3 alkyl), O(C 3-6 cycloalkyl), S(C 1-3 alkyl), S(C 3-6 cycloalkyl), NH(C 1-3 alkyl), NH(C 3-6 cycloalkyl), N(C 1-3 alkyl) 2 , and N(C 3-6 cycloalkyl) 2 ;

Y and Y a are each independently selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —SO 2 —, —CH 2 —, and —CF 2 —;

X a and X a1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O, CH 2 , and S;

X b and X b1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O, C, and S;

X c and X c1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O − , S − ; OR 9 , and NR 9 R 9 ;

X d and X d1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;

R 1 and R 1a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 1 and R 1a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 3 and R 2a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 2 and R 2a C 2 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 3a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 3a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 4 and R 4a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 , haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, wherein said R 4 and R 4a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, —C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 5 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 5 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 6 and R 6a are each independently selected from the group consisting of HL F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 1 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 —O, haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 6 and R 6a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ,

R 7 and R 7a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 7 and R 7a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 8 and R 8a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 8 and R 8a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

each R 9 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C 1 -C 20 alkyl,

where each R 9 C 1 -C 20 alkyl is optionally substituted by 0 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of OH, —O—C 20 alkyl, —S—C(O)C 1 -C 6 alkyl, and C(O)C 1 -C 6 alkyl;

—O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R 3a position;

optionally R 5 and R 6 are connected to form —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, such that where R 5 and R 6 are connected to form —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R 5 position;

optionally R 7 and R 8 are connected to form C 1 -C 6 alkylene, C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, and

optionally R 7a and R 8a are connected to form C 1 -C 6 alkylene, C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or C 2 -C 6 alkynylene; and

R 5 and R 3a are not both selected from the group consisting of H, F and OH.

3. A method of inducing STING-dependent type I interferon production in a subject, said method comprising:

(a) administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (II′) to the subject, wherein the compound of formula (II′) is:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

Base 1 and Base 2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of

Y and Y a are each independently selected from the group consisting of —O— and —S—;

X a and X a1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O, and S;

X b and X b1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O, and S;

X c and X c1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of OR 9 ; SR 9 , and NR 9 R 9 ;

X d and X d1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;

R 1 and R 1a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 1 and R 1a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 2 and R 2a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 1 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 2 and R 2 C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ,

R 3a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NH 2 , N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 3a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ,

R 4 and R 4a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 4 and R 4a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 5 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NH 2 , N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 5 C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 , alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NR 9 R 9 , and N 3 ;

R 6 and R 6a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 6 and R 6a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 7 and R 7a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 7 and R 7a C 2 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl C 2 -C 6 alkynyl C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 8 and R 8a are each independently selected from the croup consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 3 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 8 and R 8a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl C 2 -C 6 alkynyl C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I OH, CN, and N 3 ;

each R 9 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C 1 -C 20 alkyl,

optionally R 3a and R 6a are connected to form —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, such that where R 3a and R 6a are connected to form —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R 3a position;

optionally R 4 and R 5 are connected to form are connected to form C 1 -C 6 alkylene, C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkenylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, such that where R 4 and R 5 are connected to form —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R 5 position;

optionally R 7 and R 8 are connected to form C 1 -C 6 alkylene, C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or C 2 -C 6 alkynylene; and

optionally R 7a and R 8a are connected to form C 1 -C 6 alkylene, C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or C 2 -C 6 alkynylene; and

R 5 and R 5a are not both selected from the group consisting of H, F and OH.

4. A method of inducing STING-dependent type I interferon production in a subject, said method comprising:

(a) administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to the subject; wherein said pharmaceutical composition comprises (a) a compound of formula (II′); and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; wherein the compound of formula (II′) is:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

Base 1 and Base 2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of

Y and Y 3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of —O— and —S—;

X a and X a1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O, and S;

X b and X b1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O, and S;

X c and X c1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of OR 9 , SR 9 , and NR 9 R 9 ;

X d and X d1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;

R 1 and R 1a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 1 and R 1a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 , haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 2 and R 2a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 2 and R 2a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 , alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 3a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, Nib, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 3a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are Substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 4 and R 4a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 6 , haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 4 and R 4a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 5 is selected front the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NR, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 1 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 5 C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NR 9 R 9 , and N 3 ;

R 6 and R 6a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 , alkyl, C 2 -C 6 , alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkynyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 , —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 6 and R 6a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 3 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 7 and R 7a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 7 and R 7a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 , haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 8 and R 8a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, where said R 8 and R 8a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkenyl, C 2 -C 6 haloalkynyl, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkyl, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

each R 9 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C 1 -C 20 alkyl,

where each R 9 C 1 -C 20 alkyl is optionally substituted by 0 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of OH, —O—C 1 -C 20 alkyl-S—C(O)C 1 -C 6 alkyl and C(O)OC 1 -C 6 alkyl

optionally R 3a and R 6a are connected to form —O—C 1 -C 6 , alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, such that where R 3a and R 6a are connected to form —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R 3a position;

optionally R 3a and R 4a are connected to form C 1 -C 6 alkylene, C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, —O—C 1 -C 6 , alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, such that where R 3a and R 4a are connected to form —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R 3a position;

optionally R 7 and R 8 are connected to form C 1 -C 6 alkylene, C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or C 2 -C 6 alkynylene; and

optionally R 7a and R 8a are connected to form C 1 -C 6 alkylene, C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or C 2 -C 6 alkynylene; and

R 5 and R 3a are not both selected from the group consisting of H, F and OH.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the compound of formula (II) is a compound of formula (IIa):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

Base 1 and Base 2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of

X c and X c1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O − , S − , OR 9 , and NR 9 R 9 ;

R 3a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, and C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, where said R 3a C 1 -C 6 alkyl or C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and OH;

R 4 and R 4a are selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N?, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, and C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, where said R 4 C 1 -C 6 alkyl or C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and OH;

R 5 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N?, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, and C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, where said R 5 C 1 -C 6 alkyl or C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and OH;

each R 9 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C 2 -C 6 alkyl,

where each R 9 C 2 -C 3 alkyl is optionally substituted by 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of OH, —O—C 1 -C 20 alkyl, —S—C(O)C 1 -C 6 alkyl, and C(O)OC 1 -C 6 alkyl;

6. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the compound of formula (II′) is a compound of formula (II′a):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

Base 1 and Base 2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of

X c and X c1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of OR 9 , SR 9 , and NR 9 R 9 ;

R 3a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NH 2 , N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, and C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, where said R 3a C 1 -C 6 alkyl or C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and OH;

R 4 and R 4a are selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, and C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, where said R 4 C 1 -C 6 alkyl or C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and OH;

R 5 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NH 2 , N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, and C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, where said R 5 C 1 -C 6 alkyl or C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and OH;

each R 9 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C 2 -C 3 alkyl,

optionally R 3a and R 48 are connected to form C 1 -C 6 alkylene, C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, such that where R 3a and R 4a are connected to form —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R 5 position; and

7. The method according to claim 3 , wherein

Base 1 and Base 2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of

Y and Y a are each independently selected from the group consisting of —O— and —S—;

X a and X a1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;

X 6 and X 61 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;

X c and X c1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of SR 9 , OR 9 , and NR 9 R 9 ;

X d and X d1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;

R 1 and R 1a are each H;

R 2 and R 2a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, and C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, where said R 2 and R 2a C 1 -C 6 alkyl or C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 4 and R 4a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, and C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, where said R 4 and R 4a C 1 -C 6 alkyl or C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 5 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, NH 2 , N 3 , C 1 -C 6 alkyl, and C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, where said R 5 C 1 -C 6 alkyl or C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 3a and R 5 are not both selected from the group consisting of: OH, C 1 -C 6 alkyl substituted with OH, or C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl substituted with OH; and

R 6 and R 6a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, and C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl, where said R 6 and R 68 C 1 -C 6 alkyl or C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N 3 ;

R 7 and R 7a are each H;

R 8 and R 8a are each H;

each R 9 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C 2 -C 3 alkyl,

optionally R 3a and R 6a are connected to form —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, and —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, such that where R 3a and R 6a are connected to form —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R 3a position; and

optionally R 4 and R 5 are connected by C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, such that where R 4 and R 5 are connected to form —O—C 1 -C 6 alkylene, —O—C 2 -C 6 alkenylene, or —O—C 2 -C 6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R 5 position.

8. A method of inducing STING-dependent type I interferon production in a subject, said method comprising:

(a) administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (II″) to the subject, wherein the compound of formula (II″) is:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

Base 1 and Base 2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of

where Base 1 and Base 2 each may be independently substituted by 0-3 substituents R 10 , where each R 10 is independently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, I, Br, OH, SH, NH 2 , C 1-3 alkyl, C 3 -6 cycloalkyl, O(C 1-3 alkyl), O(C 3-6 cycloalkyl), S(C 1-3 alkyl), S(C 3-6 cycloalkyl), NH(C 1-3 alkyl), NH(C 3-6 cycloalkyl), N(C 1-3 alkyl) 2 , and N(C 3-6 cycloalkyl) 2 ;

Y and Y a are each independently selected from the group consisting of —O— and —S—;

X c and X c1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of SR 9 and OR 9 ;

X d and X d1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;

R 3a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, OH, CN, NH 2 , and N 3 ;

R 4 and R 4a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, and OH;

R 5 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, OH, NH 2 , and N 3 ;

R 3a and R 5 are not both selected from the group consisting of: OH, C 1 -C 6 alkyl substituted with OH, or C 1 -C 6 haloalkyl substituted with OH;

R 7a is selected from the group consisting of H and C 1 -C 6 alkyl;

R 8a is selected from the group consisting of H and C 1 -C 6 alkyl; and

each R 9 is independently selected from the group consisting of H and C 1 -C 3 alkyl.

9. A method of inducing STING-dependent type I interferon production in a subject, said method comprising:

(a) administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound to the subject, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Assignments (2)

MERGER Recorded Aug 8, 2022

From: MERCK SHARP & DOHME CORP.

To: MERCK SHARP & DOHME LLC

Reel/Frame 061102/0145 →

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2018

From: ALTMAN, MICHAEL D.; ANDRESEN, BRIAN; CHANG, WONSUK; CHILDERS, MATTHEW LLOYD; CUMMING, JARED N.; HAIDLE, ANDREW MARC; HENDERSON, TIMOTHY J.; JEWELL, JAMES P.; LU, MIN; NORTHRUP, ALAN B.; OTTE, RYAN D.; SIU, TONY; TROTTER, BENJAMIN WESLEY; TRUONG, QUANG T.

To: MERCK SHARP & DOHME CORP.

Reel/Frame 045336/0598 →

Cited By (2)

US 12,311,030 US 12,559,514