Foldé Inc. Awarded Patent by Ministry of Intellectual Property of the Republic of Korea

Company adds to existing collection of domestic and international patents

Pleasanton, CA, September 1, 2026

Foldé Inc. was recently awarded a patent by the Ministry of Intellectual Property of the Republic of Korea.

Led by urologist Dr. Young M. Kang and engineer Dr. Sammy Datwani, Foldé has invented a novel urinary catheter, designed to more flexibly navigate the unique urethral anatomy of any given patient. Foldé aims to increase first-time blind insertion success rate and thereby decrease patient suffering.

Foldé already holds issued patents in the United States, Canada and China, as well as an allowed patent in Australia. Seven additional US and international patents are pending.

Although the global annual incidence of difficult (requiring more than one insertion attempt) or traumatic catheterizations has not been reliably established, over half a million are estimated to take place in the US alone.

“With our first in-human trial anticipated to start within the next several months, we are excited for the opportunity to bring a modern and truly patient-centric urinary catheter to the market,” expressed Dr. Kang. “We firmly believe in the Foldé catheter’s potential to become standard of care on the front lines in both the US and abroad.”