AYKANG and Heartana Launch Agartana Guardian Tree International Project
On June 21, 2025, a milestone international collaboration signing ceremony was held in Malaysia, marking the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the Agartana Guardian Tree international project. Led by Heartana Group, the agreement brings together three parties: AYKANG Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a century-old traditional Chinese medicine company from Taiwan, and a royal medical institution from Malaysia.
Heartana Global Berhad founders Tan Yu Li and Xu Youwen stated that this collaboration centers on the Agartana Guardian Tree, aiming to promote the integration of agarwood in cross-cultural healing, natural wellness, and traditional Chinese medicine research and development.
The Heartana Culture Hub, serving as the cultural foundation of the initiative, has long been dedicated to nature education, cultural preservation, and the continuation of blessing rituals in Asian families.
This initiative will combine AYKANG Pharmaceutical’s data and pharmaceutical expertise, UTAR’s medical research platform, and resources from the Malaysian royal institution, creating a model for cross-border integration in the modernization of agarwood applications and traditional medicine across Asia.
The Agartana Guardian Tree symbolizes the protection of every family. From the cultivation and nurturing of agarwood, to extraction, product development, and the promotion of family heritage and culture, Heartana Global Berhad emphasizes the philosophy of “One Tree, One Family.” Each agarwood tree is envisioned to carry the emotional language of memory, blessings, and legacy.
Zeng Shizhe, CEO of AYKANG Pharmaceutical, stated:
“The modernization of traditional Chinese medicine is not just about upgrading its processes—it's about extending our culture internationally. This collaboration with Heartana and UTAR signifies that traditional medicine is no longer a local asset of Taiwan, but a shared health initiative that connects all of Asia and Muslim communities.”
Dr. Cheng Chien Chiang, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and representative of UTAR’s Centre for Traditional and Complementary Medicine, stated:
“We are honored to take part in this collaboration that bridges medicine and culture. It offers students and researchers a valuable opportunity to engage directly with the integration of industry and tradition—an experience rich in educational value.”
A representative from the Malaysian royal medical institution emphasized:
“Agarwood has long held a sacred place in our culture. Through the Guardian Tree Project, we are able to closely link religion and science, culture and wellness, opening the door for agarwood to expand into medical applications and the global market.”
Moving forward, the three parties will work together to advance the integrated application of agarwood and traditional Chinese medicine, promote the development of Halal-certified herbal products, and cultivate cross-cultural professionals in traditional medicine. By 2026, the goal is to complete agarwood-based pharmaceutical R&D, clinical validation, and product commercialization.
The Agartana Guardian Tree International Project will position Malaysia as the core hub for cultivation and experimentation, combining AYKANG Pharmaceutical’s expertise in Taiwan, and UTAR’s medical system, to establish a new international model platform that integrates culture, medicine, and industry.
