Astra Hässle

Astra Hässle was a prominent Swedish pharmaceutical company and a key subsidiary of Astra AB, primarily known for its groundbreaking research in gastrointestinal and cardiovascular medicine. The company is most famous for developing Losec (omeprazole), the world's first proton pump inhibitor, which became one of the best-selling drugs in medical history. Based in Mölndal, Sweden, Astra Hässle also contributed significantly to the development of major cardiovascular therapies, including the beta-blocker Seloken (metoprolol) and the calcium channel blocker Plendil (felodipine). Its research environment was noted for strong academic ties, particularly with the University of Gothenburg. Following the 1999 merger of Astra and Zeneca, the company's operations were fully integrated into AstraZeneca, where the Mölndal facility remains a vital global R&D hub.