AstraZeneca’s new blood pressure drug bought from CinCor clears major trial

AstraZeneca’s baxdrostat significantly lowered blood pressure in a Phase 3 trial for patients with uncontrolled or treatment-resistant hypertension.

Why it matters: The drug could offer a novel treatment option for millions whose high blood pressure isn't managed by existing medicines, a field stagnant for decades.

Backstory: AstraZeneca acquired baxdrostat through its $1.3B purchase of CinCor Pharma in 2023. The drug blocks an enzyme linked to aldosterone production, a hormone involved in blood pressure regulation. Phase 2 results were mixed, but showed promise for resistant hypertension.

Big picture: If approved, baxdrostat would mark one of the few major innovations in hypertension treatment in over 20 years. It may also bolster AstraZeneca’s broader portfolio by pairing with its kidney and diabetes drug Farxiga.

Zoom in: The Phase 3 study enrolled 796 patients and showed “clinically meaningful” reductions in systolic blood pressure. Baxdrostat met all secondary endpoints and was “generally well tolerated.”

What’s next: AstraZeneca plans to present more data next month and discuss approvals with regulators. If successful, AstraZeneca will pay around $500M to CinCor shareholders via a 2023 deal clause. The big pharma expects baxdrostat to become a blockbuster drug, with potential applications in chronic kidney disease and heart failure prevention.

Two in a row: AstraZeneca has been on a roll lately with post-acquisition trials. Just last week, the company announced positive early trial data for a CAR-T therapy resulting from its $1 billion investment in EsoBiotec.