# US 10,766,919 B2 · Cyclic di-nucleotide compounds as sting agonists

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- Number: US 10,766,919 B2
- Document ID: US10766919B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/886,578
- Filed: 2018-02-01
- Published: 2018-08-23
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2015-08-13
- Assignees: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
- Applicants: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
- Inventors: Michael D. Altman; Brian Andresen; Wonsuk Chang; Matthew Lloyd Childers; Jared N. Cumming; Andrew Marc Haidle; Timothy J. Henderson; James P. Jewell; Rui Liang; Jongwon Lim; Hong Liu; Min Lu; Alan B. Northrup; Ryan D. Otte; Tony Siu; Benjamin Wesley Trotter; Quang T. Truong; Shawn P. Walsh; Kake Zhao
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766919B2

## CPC

- C07H 21/04: with deoxyribosyl as saccharide radical
- A61K 39/39: characterised by the immunostimulating additives, e.g. chemical adjuvants
- A61P 35/00: Antineoplastic agents
- C07H 19/20: with the saccharide radical esterified by phosphoric or polyphosphoric acids
- C07H 19/23: Heterocyclic radicals containing two or more heterocyclic rings condensed among themselves or condensed with a common carbocyclic ring system, not provided for in groups C07H19/14 - C07H19/22
- C07H 21/00: Compounds containing two or more mononucleotide units having separate phosphate or polyphosphate groups linked by saccharide radicals of nucleoside groups, e.g. nucleic acids
- C07H 21/02: with ribosyl as saccharide radical
- A61K 31/706: containing six-membered rings with nitrogen as a ring hetero atom
- A61K 31/7064: containing condensed or non-condensed pyrimidines
- A61K 31/7076: containing purines, e.g. adenosine, adenylic acid
- A61K 31/708: having oxo groups directly attached to the purine ring system, e.g. guanosine, guanylic acid
- A61K 31/7084: Compounds having two nucleosides or nucleotides, e.g. nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide, flavine-adenine dinucleotide
- C07H: SUGARS; DERIVATIVES THEREOF; NUCLEOSIDES; NUCLEOTIDES; NUCLEIC ACIDS (derivatives of aldonic or saccharic acids C07C, C07D; aldonic acids, saccharic acids C07C59/105, C07C59/285; cyanohydrins C07C255/16; glycals C07D; compounds of unknown constitution C07G; polysaccharides, derivatives thereof C08B; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification C12N15/00; sugar industry C13)
- A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D)
- A61P: SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS

## Abstract

A class of polycyclic compounds of general formula (I), of general formula (I′), or of general formula (I″), wherein Base1, Base2, Y, Ya, Xa, Xa1, Xb, Xb1, Xc, Xc1, Xd, Xd1, R1, R1a, R2, R2a, R3, R4, R4a, R5, R6, R6a, R7, R7a, R8, and R8a 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

### Claim 1

A method of inducing e-STING-dependent type I interferon production in a subject, said method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of a compound of formula (I′) to the subject, wherein the compound of formula (I′) is:
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein
Base1 and Base2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of
where Base1 and Base2 each may be independently substituted by 0-3 substituents R10, where each R10 is independently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, I, Br, OH, SH, NH2, C1-3alkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, O(C1-3 alkyl), O(C3-6 cycloalkyl), S(C1-3 alkyl), S(C3-6cycloalkyl), NH(C1-3 alkyl), NH(C3-6 cycloalkyl), N(C1-3 alkyl)2, and N(C3-6 cycloalkyl)2,
Y and Ya are each independently selected from the group consisting of —O— and —S—;
Xa and Xa1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O, and S;
Xb and Xb1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O, and S;
Xc and Xc1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of OR9, SR9, and NR9R9;
Xd and Xd1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;
R1 and R2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R1 and R1a C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R2 and R2a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R2 and R2a C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R3 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R3 C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R4 and R4a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R4 and R4a C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R5 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NH2, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R5 C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NR9R9, and N3;
R6 and R6a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R6 and R6a C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R7 and R7a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R7 and R7a C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R8 and R8a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R8 and R8a C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
each R9 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C20 alkyl,
where each R9 C1-C20 alkyl is optionally substituted by 0 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of OH, —O—C1-C20 alkyl, —S—C(O)C1-C6 alkyl, and C(O)OC1-C6 alkyl;
optionally R1a and R3 are connected to form C1-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene, C2-C6 alkynylene, —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R1a and R3 are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R3 position;
optionally R2a and R3 are connected to form C1-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene, C2-C6 alkynylene, —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R2a and R3 are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R3 position;
optionally R3 and R6a are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R3 and R6a are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R3 position;
optionally R4 and R5 are connected to form are connected to form C1-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene, C2-C6 alkynylene, —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R4 and R5 are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R5 position;
optionally R5 and R6 are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R5 and R6 are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R5 position;
optionally R7 and R8 are connected to form C1-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene, or C2-C6 alkynylene; and
optionally R7a and R8a are connected to form C1-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene, or C2-C6 alkynylene; and
with the provisos that
(a) when Y and Ya are each O, Xa and Xa1 are each O, Xb and Xb1 are each O, and Xc and Xc1 are each OH or SH, Xd and Xd1 are each O, R1 and R1a are each H, R2 is H, R6 and R6a are each H, R7 and R7a are each H, R8 and R8a are each H, and Base1 and Base2 are each selected from the group consisting of
then R5 and R3 are not both selected from the group consisting of H, F and OH; and
(b) the compound is not selected from the group consisting of

### Claim 2

A method of inducing STING-dependent type I interferon production in a subject, said method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to the subject, wherein said pharmaceutical composition comprises (a) a compound of formula (I′); and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier: wherein the compound of formula (I′) is:
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein
Base1 and Base2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of
where Base1 and Base2 each may be independently substituted by 0-3 substituents R10, where each R10 is independently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, I, Br, OH, SH, NH2, C1-3 alkyl, C3-6 cycloalkyl, O(C1-3 alkyl), O(C3-6 cycloalkyl), S(C1-3 alkyl), S(C3-6 cycloalkyl), NH(C1-3 alkyl), NH(C3-6 cycloalkyl), N(C1-3 alkyl)2, and N(C3-6 cycloalkyl)2;
Y and Ya are each independently selected from the group consisting of —O— and —S—;
Xa and Xa1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O, and S;
Xb and Xb1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O, and S;
Xc and Xc1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of OR9, SR9, and NR9R9;
Xd and Xd1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;
R1 and R1a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R1 and R1a C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R2 and R2a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R2 and R2a C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R3 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R3 C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R4 and R4a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R4 and R4a C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R5 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R5 C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NR9R9, and N3;
R6 and R6a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R6 and R6a C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R7 and R7a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R7 and R7a C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R8 and R8a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R8 and R8a C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
each R9 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C20 alkyl,
where each R9 C1-C20 alkyl is optionally substituted by 0 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of OH, —O—C1-C20 alkyl, —S—C(O)C1-C6 alkyl, and C(O)OC1-C6 alkyl;
optionally R1a and R3 are connected to form C1-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene, C2-C6 alkynylene, —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R1a and R3 are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R3 position;
optionally R2a and R3 are connected to form C1-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene, C2-C6 alkynylene, —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R2a and R3 are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R3 position;
optionally R3 and R6a are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R3 and R6a are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R3 position;
optionally R4 and R5 are connected to form are connected to form C1-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene, C2-C6 alkynylene, —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R4 and R5 are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R5 position;
optionally R5 and R6 are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R5 and R6 are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R5 position;
optionally R7 and R8 are connected to form C1-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene, or C2-C6 alkynylene; and
optionally R7a and R8a are connected to form C1-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene, or C2-C6 alkynylene; and
(a) when Y and Ya are each O, Xa and Xa1 are each O, Xb and Xb1 are each O, and Xc and Xc1 are each OH or SH, Xd and Xd1 are each O, R1 and R1a are each H, R2 is H, R6 and R6a are each H, R7 and R7a are each H, R8 and R8a are each H, and Base1 and Base2 are each selected from the group consisting of
then R5 and R3 are not both selected from the group consisting of H, F and OH; and
(b) the compound is not selected from the group consisting of

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein
where Base1 and Base2 each may be independently substituted by 0-3 substituents R10, where each R10 is independently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, I, Br, OH, SH, NH2, C1-3 alkyl, C3-6 cycloalkyl, O(C1-3 alkyl), O(C3-6 cycloalkyl), S(C1-3 alkyl), S(C3-6 cycloalkyl), NH(C1-3 alkyl), NH(C3-6 cycloalkyl), N(C1-3 alkyl)2, and N(C3-6 cycloalkyl)2;
Y and Ya are each independently selected from the group consisting of —O— and —S—;
Xa and Xa1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;
Xb and Xb1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;
Xc and Xc1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of OR9, SR9, and NR9R9;
Xd and Xd1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;
R1 and R1a are each H;
R2 and R2a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 haloalkyl, where said R2 and R2a C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R3 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 haloalkyl, where said R3 C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R4 and R4a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 haloalkyl, where said R4 and R4a C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R5 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, NH2, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 haloalkyl, where said R5 C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NR9R9, and N3;
R3 and R5 are not both selected from the group consisting of OH, C1-C6 alkyl substituted with OH, and C1-C6 haloalkyl substituted with OH;
R6 and R6a are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, and C1-C6 haloalkyl, where said R6 and R6a C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R7 and R7a are each H;
R8 and R8a are each H;
each R9 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C2-C3 alkyl,
where each R9 C2-C3 alkyl is optionally substituted by 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of OH, —O—C1-C20 alkyl, —S—C(O)C1-C6 alkyl, and C(O)OC1-C6 alkyl;
optionally R3 and R6a are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, and —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R3 and R6a are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R3 position; and
optionally R4 and R5 are connected by C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R4 and R5 are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R5 position.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the compound of formula (I) is a compound of formula (Ib):
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein
Base1 and Base2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of
where Base1 and Base2 each may be independently substituted by 0-3 substituents R10, where each R10 is independently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, I, Br, OH, SH, NH2, C1-3 alkyl, C3-6 cycloalkyl, O(C1-3 alkyl), O(C3-6 cycloalkyl), S(C1-3 alkyl), S(C3-6 cycloalkyl), NH(C1-3 alkyl), NH(C3-6 cycloalkyl), N(C1-3 alkyl)2, and N(C3-6 cycloalkyl)2;
Xc and Xc1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of OR9, SR9, and NR9R9;
R1a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl, where said R1a C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, and N3;
R2a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 haloalkyl, where said R2a C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and OH;
R3 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 haloalkyl, where said R3 C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and OH;
R5 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NH2, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 haloalkyl, where said R5 C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and OH;
R3 and R5 are not both selected from the group consisting of OH, C1-C6 alkyl substituted with OH, and C1-C6 haloalkyl substituted with OH;
R6a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, and C2-C6 alkynyl;
each R9 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C2-C3 alkyl,
where each R9 C2-C3 alkyl is optionally substituted by 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of OH, —O—C1-C20 alkyl, —S—C(O)C1-C6 alkyl, and C(O)OC1-C6 alkyl; and
optionally R3 and R6a are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, and —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R3 and R6a are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R3 position.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the compound of formula (I′) is a compound of formula (I′c):
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein
Base1 and Base2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of
where Base1 and Base2 each may be independently substituted by 0-3 substituents R10, where each R10 is independently selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, I, Br, OH, SH, NH2, C1-3 alkyl, C3-6 cycloalkyl, O(C1-3 alkyl), O(C3-6 cycloalkyl), S(C1-3 alkyl), S(C3-6 cycloalkyl), NH(C1-3 alkyl), NH(C3-6 cycloalkyl), N(C1-3 alkyl)2, and N(C3-6 cycloalkyl)2;
Xc and Xc1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of OR9, SR9, and NR9R9;
R3 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 haloalkyl, where said R3 C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and OH;
R4 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 haloalkyl, where said R4 C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and OH;
R5 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NH2, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 haloalkyl, where said R5 C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and OH;
R6a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 haloalkyl, where said R6 C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 haloalkyl are substituted by 0 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and OH;
each R9 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C2-C3 alkyl,
where each R9 C2-C3 alkyl is optionally substituted by 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of OH, —O—C1-C20 alkyl, —S—C(O)C1-C6 alkyl, and C(O)OC1-C6 alkyl; and
optionally R4 and R5 are connected by C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R4 and R5 are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R5 position.

### Claim 6

A method of inducing STING-dependent type I interferon production in a subject, said method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I″) to the subject, wherein the compound of formula (I″) is:
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein
Base1 and Base2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of
Y is selected from the group consisting of —O— and —S—;
Xc and Xc1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of OR9 and SR9;
Xd and Xd1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;
R2a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl;
R3 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl;
R4 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl;
R5 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NH2, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl;
R6a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl;
each R9 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C20 alkyl,
where each R9 C1-C20 alkyl is optionally substituted by 0 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of OH, —O—C1-C20 alkyl, —S—C(O)C1-C6 alkyl, and C(O)OC1-C6 alkyl; and
optionally R3 and R6a are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R3 and R6a are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R3 position; and
with the provisos that
(a) when Y and Ya are each O, Xa and Xa1 are each O, Xb and Xb1 are each O, and Xc and Xc1 are each OH or SH, Xd and Xd1 are each O, R1 and R1a are each H, R2 is H, R6 and R6a are each H, R7 and R7a are each H, R8 and R8a are each H, and Base1 and Base2 are each selected from the group consisting of
then R5 and R3 are not both selected from the group consisting of H, F and OH; and
(b) the compound is not selected from the group consisting of
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method according to claim 6, wherein the compound of formula (I″) is a compound of formula (I″a):
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein
Base1 and Base2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of
Y is selected from the group consisting of —O— and —S—;
Xc and Xc1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of OR9 and SR9;
Xd and Xd1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;
R2a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl;
R5 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NH2, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl;
R6a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl; and
each R9 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C20 alkyl,
where each R9 C1-C20 alkyl is optionally substituted by 0 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of OH, —O—C1-C20 alkyl, —S—C(O)C1-C6 alkyl, and C(O)OC1-C6 alkyl.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method according to claim 7, wherein
Base1 and Base2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of
Y is selected from the group consisting of —O— and —S—;
Xc and Xc1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of OR9 and SR9;
Xd and Xd1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;
R2a is F;
R5 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NH2, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl;
R6a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl; and
each R9 is independently H.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The method according to claim 6, wherein R3 and R6a are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R3 and R6a are connected to form —O—C2-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R3 position.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The method according to claim 6, wherein the compound of formula (I″) is a compound of formula (I″b):
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein
Base1 and Base2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of
Y is selected from the group consisting of —O— and —S—;
Xc and Xc1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of OR9 and SR9;
Xd and Xd1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of O and S;
R3 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl;
R4 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl;
R5 is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, NH2, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl;
R6a is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, N3, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C2-C6 haloalkenyl, C2-C6 haloalkynyl, —O—C1-C6 alkyl, —O—C2-C6 alkenyl, and —O—C2-C6 alkynyl;
each R9 is independently H; and
R3 and R6a are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, such that where R3 and R6a are connected to form —O—C1-C6 alkylene, —O—C2-C6 alkenylene, or —O—C2-C6 alkynylene, said O is bound at the R3 position.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method according to claim 10, wherein Base1 and Base2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of

### Claim 12 (depends on 6)

The method according to claim 6, wherein at least one of Base1 and Base2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of

### Claim 13

A method of inducing STING-dependent type I interferon production in a subject, said method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound to the subject, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.