Fig. 4.

Technological subject classes of STING patents. (A) Distribution of patent technological subject classes, Class i ∼ viii. (B) Patenting activity trends and construction of technological classes over the years. Class i, small-molecule STING agonists; Class ii, other types of STING agonists; Class iii, new uses for STING agonists; Class iv, STING agonist delivery systems or formulations; Class v, pharmaceutical compositions comprising STING agonists as a part; Class vi, other compositions that could be used in combination with STING agonists; Class vii, patents related to STING antagonists; Class viii, others.