We are a Norwegian pharmaceutical company. As a dedicated European producer of high quality Metformin, we are well positioned to supply the growing global market.

A Vistin Pharma employee working in our facilities.

Producing 10% of the world’s demand for Metformin

ABOUT US

Vistin Pharma today produce about 10% of the world’s demand for Metformin HCl API and have in 2022 initiated a project to double the manufacturing capacity. Our Metformin is also available as direct compressible lubricated granules. Vistin Pharma Headquarter is located in Oslo, Norway. Our manufacturing facility is located in Kragerø, Norway. The facility is certified according to current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and successfully inspected by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Vistin Pharma AS was established in June 2015, when Vistin Pharma AS acquired the B2B business of Weifa AS.

More than 50 years experience with manufacturing of Metformin.

1969
2002
2015
2017
2020
2022
1969
The production of metformin was introduced in 1969 (formerly as Weifa)

OUR HISTORY

With more than 80 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, Vistin Pharma has built significant capacity and expertise as an API producer to Pharmaceutical companies all over the world, and Vistin Pharma‘s APIs are marketed in more than 100 countries.

On 2nd October 2017 Vistin Pharma sold its opioids and tablet CMO business to TPI Enterprises. After the demerger, Vistin Pharma became a pure play global metformin supplier. The production of metformin was introduced in 1969 (formerly as Weifa) and has since then been developed to include the supply of metformin HCl (hydrochloride) and metformin DC (direct compressible). These products make up Vistin Pharma’s metformin offering.
The company built and opened a new a state-of-the-art metformin manufacturing plant in 2002 and has grown to become one of the leading global suppliers of metformin.

The products are sold to recognized international pharmaceutical companies across the world. In April 2020 the company announced its decision to invest in doubling the manufacturing capacity at its plant in Fikkjebakke, Norway with a goal to further strengthen its position as a leading global player in the ever-growing metformin market.

Better begins with us

VISION AND VALUES

VISION AND
VALUES

Better begins with us

Our vision means that we must work vigorously and systematically to explore new markets and segments, look for improvement and innovation, challenge ourselves to make a difference as we are the first step, always deliver on our promises and become an important factor in our shared success

Agile

means being engaged, ambitious, flexible and attentive to the market to make sure customers and partners succeed.

Responsive

means reacting quickly, working together to develop the best possible products and solutions and delivering as agreed.

Genuine

means being open and inquisitive, acting responsively and with integrity and sharing our knowledge, skills and experience with customers and partners.

Our people, management and the board of directors

We are a unique pharmaceutical company in that we are entirely Norwegian and operate our own production facilities. Our employees work in different areas from sourcing and production to sales and marketing. At Vistin we belive in a healthy environment with motivated employees.
All employees have equal opportunities, and we take great pride in workplace inclusion. We assure safe work conditions and nurture a sound business culture so that our employees feel well at work.

ABOUT US

VISION AND
VALUES

MANAGEMENT

Magnus Tolleshaug, Chief Executive Officer
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Mr. Tolleshaug joined Vistin Pharma 2nd March 2020 as Head of commercial and procurement, and as of January 1st 2024 is the CEO of Vistin Pharma. He comes from the position as Senior Director, Head of Global Launch Excellence & Product Lifecycle Management in Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Tolleshaug has 20 years of experience from the pharmaceutical industry of which 15 years of experience from international managerial positions in R&D and Global Manufacturing & Supply Chain Operations. He holds a MSc in Chemistry & Chemical Technology from The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) as well as a Diploma in Innovation, Intrapreneurship & Business Transformation.
Alexander Karlsen, Chief Financial Officer
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Mr. Karlsen joined Vistin Pharma as CFO 2nd March 2020. He has previously held positions as Country Finance Manager in GE Healthcare Norway since 2017, and prior to that he worked 5 years as Finance Manager Global Supply Chain in GE Healthcare AS. Mr. Karlsen has several years of experience from managerial finance positions in the pharmaceutical industry.  He holds a MSc in Business and Economics from the  BI Norwegian Business School is Norway.
Hilde Merete Hagen, Vice President Quality &…
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Ms Hagen joined Weifa/Vistin Pharma in March 2015 and has held the position as VP Quality & Regulatory affairs since then, with a short break of 4 months working on a consultancy basis on specific projects. She came from the position as VP Quality & Regulatory Affairs in Pronova BioPharma/BASF, where she has held different managerial positions within QC, QA, R&D and project management  during her 19 years with the company.  Ms Hagen holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Oslo and a Master of Management degree from BI Norwegian Business School.
Vegard Heggem, COO
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Mr. Heggem joined Weifa in May 2010 as Director of Synthesis Production and Site Manager of the Fikkjebakke plant, and continued in the same position in Vistin Pharma from June 2015. Mr. Heggem has extensive experience from different managerial positions within operations, engineering and investment projects. Mr. Heggem holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF
DIRECTORS

Øyvin A. Brøymer, Chairman
Bettina Banoun, Board member
Espen Marcussen, Board member
Kari E. Krogstad, Board member
Øystein Stray Spetalen, Board member
Espen Lia Gregoriussen, Board member
Åse Musum, Board member
A worker at our facilities.

CAREER

Would you like to join us?

We need skilled professionals, and we can offer opportunities to work at all stages of the value chain, many of which require a university degree. Experience is important, but not necessary. We are looking for responsible, structured, analytical and thorough people. You should also be good at communicating and building relationships. In some positions, a commercial background will be a clear advantage. Our culture is based on values that have developed throughout the history of the company. Agility, a high level of responsiveness and a genuine and open approach are important elements of our culture.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CAREER

Vacant positions

Vistin Pharma’s highly competent sales team has long experience from international API sales

SALES

International sales

We are active in over 50 countries focusing on selected markets in Europe, Asia Pacific, US, Africa and Latin America. We work directly or through our network of distributors and agents worldwide. Vistin Pharma API is registered in Drug Products in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Sabrina Berge, Global Sales Manager
+47 930 69 335

Customer service and logistics

We offer high reliability with a delivery performance above 98 percent. All our products are delivered according to GDP (Good Distribution Practice) in collaboration with well-known logistic partners.
Liv Rannei Heldal, Customer Service Coordinator
+47 401 00 909

Technical Service

The technical service function is an important part of our customer service. Through a single point of contact, we support our customers on a range of issues including arranging audits, specifications, method of analysis, stability data, regulatory and production.
Eivind Egeli, Director Technical Service & Sales
+47 909 28 731

SALES