Core Viewpoint - AstraZeneca's innovative drug baxdrostat has shown significant blood pressure reduction in a late-stage trial for treatment-resistant hypertension, leading to a 2% increase in the company's stock price [1][2]. Group 1: Drug Development and Efficacy - Baxdrostat achieved both primary and secondary endpoints in the study, significantly lowering systolic blood pressure compared to the placebo group within 12 weeks, demonstrating both statistical and clinical significance [2]. - The drug targets aldosterone, a hormone that raises blood pressure, with approximately 25% of hypertension cases stemming from aldosterone level dysregulation, offering a new treatment option distinct from traditional ACE inhibitors [5]. Group 2: Market Potential and Sales Forecast - AstraZeneca anticipates that baxdrostat could exceed $5 billion in peak annual sales, potentially used alone or in combination with Farxiga, another cardiovascular therapy that currently generates over $1 billion in annual sales [8]. Group 3: Clinical Research and Global Impact - The World Health Organization reports that hypertension affects over 1 billion people globally, and AstraZeneca is conducting a large-scale clinical study involving over 20,000 patients to test baxdrostat's efficacy across four indications, including chronic kidney disease and heart failure prevention [6]. - Full trial results for baxdrostat are expected to be announced at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) annual meeting in August, with participation from China in this global clinical trial [7].