UAE becomes world’s first country to approve new AstraZeneca treatment for uncontrolled hypertension
New medicine targets resistant high blood pressure cases
ABU DHABI – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the first country in the world to approve Baxfendy, an innovative treatment designed for patients suffering from uncontrolled hypertension despite existing medication regimens.
The approval was granted by the Emirates Drug Establishment, marking another milestone in the country’s push to accelerate access to advanced healthcare solutions.
Developed by AstraZeneca, Baxfendy contains the active substance baxdrostat and will be available in 1mg and 2mg doses. The medicine is intended to be used alongside existing antihypertensive treatments for patients whose blood pressure remains inadequately controlled through conventional therapies.
Targeted therapy
The newly approved treatment works by inhibiting an enzyme responsible for aldosterone production, a hormone linked to elevated blood pressure. By targeting the underlying disease mechanism, the medicine offers a more precise treatment pathway for patients with resistant hypertension, a condition where blood pressure remains persistently high despite the use of multiple medications.
في إنجاز جديد في عالم الابتكار الدوائي، اعتمدت #مؤسسة_الإمارات_للدواء عقار "باكسفندي" المبتكر، لعلاج ارتفاع ضغط الدم غير المسيطر عليه، لتصبح الإمارات أول دولة عالمياً تمنح الموافقة لهذا العلاج.
— Emirates Drug Establishment مؤسسة الإمارات للدواء (@EDE_UAE) May 12, 2026
خطوة تعكم ريادة تنظيمية مرئة تدعم الابتكار وتسرّع اعتماد العلاجات النوعية. pic.twitter.com/05eYrTTaW0
According to the Emirates Drug Establishment, the approval reflects the UAE’s commitment to accelerating access to pharmaceutical innovation through flexible and responsive regulatory frameworks. Authorities said the move supports the adoption of advanced therapies while enhancing the efficiency of pharmaceutical care, particularly in the field of cardiovascular disease treatment.
Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Emirates Drug Establishment, described the approval as an important step towards expanding access to advanced medical solutions that directly target disease pathways, especially in cases where traditional treatments fail to achieve desired outcomes.
She added that the authority continues to strengthen approval and access procedures in alignment with national health priorities, ensuring patients receive timely access to innovative medicines capable of improving clinical outcomes and quality of life.
Trial results
The approval of Baxfendy was supported by positive findings from two Phase III clinical trials, BaxHTN and Bax24. The studies demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in uncontrolled blood pressure when the medicine was administered alongside standard treatment options.
Healthcare officials said the approval also contributes to strengthening pharmaceutical security in the UAE and supports the sustainable availability of innovative therapies within the healthcare system.
Sameh El Fangary, Gulf Country President at AstraZeneca, said the approval represents a major development in expanding treatment options for hypertension patients and reflects confidence in the scientific evidence supporting the therapy.
He added that the company would continue working with healthcare partners across the UAE to improve patient access to pharmaceutical innovations and support long-term treatment outcomes.
The approval forms part of broader national efforts aimed at building a resilient and sustainable pharmaceutical ecosystem capable of responding efficiently to chronic diseases while supporting public health priorities across the country.