EU panel backs AstraZeneca hypertension drug baxdrostat

Nov 13 (Reuters) – AstraZeneca said on Friday a European medicines committee had backed its hypertension ​pill baxdrostat, branded as Baxfendy, for ‌marketing authorisation, potentially making it the first drug of its class to reach patients in the European Union. • The ‌Committee ​for Medicinal Products ⁠for Human Use, or ⁠CHMP, recommended baxdrostat for adults whose hypertension is insufficiently controlled by at least two medicines • If ​approved, Baxfendy would be the EU’s first and only aldosterone ⁠synthase inhibitor, AstraZeneca ⁠said. The drug works by ​blocking the hormone aldosterone, a different ​approach from older blood pressure treatments • ‌The CHMP said its recommendation was based on positive results from two late-stage trials • Baxdrostat is ⁠already approved in the US and other countries, while filings are under review ⁠in Japan ‌and China • AstraZeneca acquired ⁠baxdrostat as part of ​its $1.8 ‌billion purchase of CinCor Pharma ​in ⁠2023 • While final approvals are up to the European Commission, it typically follows the CHMP’s recommendation (Reporting by Ankita Bora in Bengaluru; Editing by ​Tasim Zahid)