Disclosed are novel, synthetic analogues of (1E,6E)-1,7-Bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione and the therapeutic applications for cystic fibrosis thereof in correcting altered CFTR trafficking and the associated impaired chloride (Cl.sup.-) ion transport. Introduction of branched-alkyl groups ortho to the phenolic groups gave rise to clinical compounds with vastly improved trafficking of delF508CFTR and with no cytotoxicity.
