[Valuable Intellectual Property] An Entrepreneur with 109 Patents to a Junior Startup Founder

④ Interview with Kim Young-wook, CEO of Proxy Healthcare
Founded with exclusive technology... Attempting integration into various products
Applied to microcurrent toothbrushes, automotive parts, and ships
Emphasizing the importance of patents... "Creating a 3-year gap with competitors"
Establishing a US corporation signals entry into overseas markets

Kim Young-wook, CEO of the healthcare startup 'Proxy Healthcare' (pictured), holds an impressive 109 patents. This is to protect the core technology he invented. Kim is the only person in the world to possess a technology that safely removes biofilms using microcurrents. Biofilms refer to the layers formed by microorganisms adhering to solid surfaces in humid environments. Simply put, think of the grime in a sink drain. Composed of hundreds of bacteria, biofilms cause environmental pollution and odors, and induce inflammation in the human body. Utilizing this technology, he launched a microcurrent toothbrush in October 2020. In the future, he plans to apply the technology to various fields where biofilm prevention is necessary, such as water pipes, automobiles, and ships. The following interview with Kim has been adapted into a letter format addressed to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Hello, I am Kim Young-wook, CEO of Proxy Healthcare and a Ph.D. in engineering. In September 2019, I founded my company based on a single technology: a method to remove biofilms using microcurrents. This technology is characterized by its eco-friendly and safe use without causing electrolysis. I earned my Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Maryland with this technology and have since focused solely on it. The technology is named 'Tromats,' an abbreviation of Electro Magnetic Arts, meaning the art of electromagnetic waves.

The first product developed using Tromats technology was the microcurrent toothbrush. It excels at removing dental plaque compared to regular toothbrushes and has proven effects in reducing inflammation and bad breath. Thanks to word of mouth, over 100,000 units have been sold to date. The toothbrush is just the beginning. Tromats technology can be applied to various products. For example, we partnered with Ulsan University Hospital to develop a rhinitis treatment device, which will enter clinical trials with rhinitis patients next year. We also created a modular automotive component to solve car air conditioner odor issues and will soon conduct demonstration tests. Tromats technology can also address the problem of barnacles attaching to ship surfaces, which lowers fuel efficiency. Our projects receive support from government agencies such as the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology.

I have a strong interest in patents. When I worked at Samsung Electro-Mechanics, I witnessed firsthand the patent war between Samsung and Apple. The two companies engaged in a landmark dispute over Apple's patent on 'rounded corners.' That experience taught me the power of patents. Taking that lesson to heart, I began filing patents to protect my technology and designs. Currently, I have 64 technology patents and 45 design patents filed or registered, totaling 109. In addition to patents in the U.S. and China, I hold about 10 PCT patents covering the global market. I built a comprehensive patent portfolio centered on 3 to 4 core patents, covering electrical circuits and product designs.

Do I really need to go this far? Some argue that patents are useless. However, I believe patents are the only way to protect technology within the system. Our business area is not a new field like autonomous driving or drones. We must enter a market with established dominant players solely through technological prowess. For example, when electric toothbrush companies attempt to incorporate microcurrents into their products, I must protect my exclusive rights. Any company claiming to remove biofilms using microcurrents will find it difficult to avoid infringing our patents. Even if they try to circumvent the patents and launch products, it will take considerable time. In that sense, I am buying time. I believe patents have given me about a three-year lead.

In February, I established a corporation in New Jersey, USA, preparing to enter the overseas market. We secured placement in New York's H Mart and plan to focus marketing efforts on the Korean-American community. While the toothbrush market in Korea is estimated at 240 billion KRW, the U.S. market is estimated at 1.5 trillion KRW, raising high expectations. I believe entrepreneurs should never neglect patents wherever they go in the world. In global competition, patents are the only way to protect one's technology. Paying attention to intellectual property rights such as patents and trademarks from the start of entrepreneurship ensures that all prior efforts will not go to waste.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.