Originally posted by Amanda Sparks – Edmonton Global
The “Trade Heroes” series highlights Edmonton Region companies who have ‘exportitude’ — the mindset and commitment to think globally when it comes to their business. It’s brought to you by Edmonton Global.
For centuries, healing practices have drawn from tradition – now, Tam-Zaman, one of the founders behind Sinoveda is working to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern medicine. By combining science-backed research with natural health solutions, Tam-Zaman has a vision to redefine the future of healing.
Founded in 2006 by Tam-Zaman and her husband, Dr. Yun Tam, the company blends traditional Chinese and Indian medical practices with modern pharmaceutical medicine. The couple was motivated to understand the science behind traditional botanicals, such as the anti-inflammatory bark used by healers in Tam-Zaman’s native Bangladesh.
Sinoveda’s products incorporate a holistic approach, using multiple natural compounds that work together to treat the individual’s condition as an entirety. This innovative approach has yielded a diverse portfolio of products, including prescription drug candidates for liver and colon cancer, a post-menopausal symptom treatment derived from Red Clover (often considered a weed in Canada) and a Long-Covid remedy, cordyceps militaris, a medicinal fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine.
“We are working with something that is already known …. we are just perfecting it,” Tam-Zaman said.
The Zaman’s export journey began remarkably early. Recognizing that the company’s core strength lay in research and development, the couple strategically partnered with distributors rather than building an internal international sales team. Its initial markets were Bangladesh and Hong Kong, capitalizing on the couple’s personal and professional networks.
The company’s global footprint has grown rapidly, with 80% of its sales now coming from international markets, particularly in the United States and across Asia.
“I’m very excited to explore some of these new emerging economies,” Tam-Zaman said. “We can’t be just sitting here thinking that North America is the world.”
This is particularly true given the current situation that Canada now finds itself in with its trade relationship with the U.S.
Tam-Zaman has actively sought out resources that are available within the Edmonton region to fuel its export growth. The Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) proved particularly valuable, providing a comprehensive understanding of the export ecosystem. Tam-Zaman credits TAP with educating her about the full range of services available.
“I learned about all the services, the Trade Commissioners Service, EDC, BDC and all these banks and agencies that you can take advantage of for export.” She added that this knowledge was a “big, big advantage.”
Beyond connecting the company with crucial resources, TAP also provided direct support, even conducting market research for Sinoveda’s potential expansion into China.
While the couple’s vision for Sinoveda is global, the couple is committed to the Edmonton region, and is actively collaborating with local organizations, like Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API), and companies like Swift Innovations whenever possible.
With plans to expand into Vietnam, South Korea, and Indonesia on the horizon, the Zamans are excited about the potential to bring Sinoveda’s innovative, science-backed botanical treatments to more customers worldwide.
“We see nothing but potential for Sinoveda,” Tam-Zaman said. “The best is yet to come.”
