Hässle

Hässle (AB Hässle) was a pioneering Swedish pharmaceutical company and a core research subsidiary of Astra AB, now part of AstraZeneca. Based in Mölndal, Sweden, the company became globally recognized for its transformative research in cardiovascular and gastrointestinal medicine during the mid-to-late 20th century. Hässle's most notable achievement was the discovery and development of omeprazole (Losec), the world's first proton pump inhibitor, which revolutionized the treatment of acid-related disorders and became the top-selling drug globally. The company also developed foundational cardiovascular therapies, including the beta-blocker metoprolol (Seloken) and the calcium channel blocker felodipine (Plendil). Following the merger of Astra and Zeneca in 1999, Hässle was fully integrated into AstraZeneca, and its Mölndal site continues to serve as a major global R&D hub for the parent organization.