Baxdrostat cuts BP by 10 mmHg in resistant hypertension
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- Baxdrostat reduced systolic blood pressure by 9–10 mmHg in patients with uncontrolled hypertension after 12 weeks, compared to placebo, in a global Phase III trial.
- Professor Bryan Williams (UCL) led the BaxHTN trial, which found that around 40% of patients on baxdrostat reached healthy blood pressure levels, versus fewer than 20% on placebo.
- AstraZeneca funded the BaxHTN trial involving nearly 800 patients across 214 clinics worldwide, with results published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
- Aldosterone hormone is directly targeted by baxdrostat, which blocks its production—a key mechanism in salt and water retention that drives resistant hypertension.
- University College London researchers presented the findings at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2025 in Madrid, highlighting sustained effects up to 32 weeks with no unexpected safety issues.
Why it matters: For the estimated 650 million people with uncontrolled hypertension globally, baxdrostat offers a targeted treatment path where existing drugs fail. A 10 mmHg reduction can cut cardiovascular risk by up to 25%, making this a potential standard add-on therapy for resistant cases.
