Astrazeneca Shares Soar on Groundbreaking Hypertension Drug Data Top $240M in Trading Volume

Astrazeneca (AZN) rose 0.36% on Sept. 2, with a trading volume of $240 million, as positive Phase 3 trial data for its experimental hypertension drug baxdrostat bolstered investor confidence. The drug demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in systolic blood pressure, with a placebo-adjusted reduction of 9.8 mmHg at the 2mg dose and 8.7 mmHg at the 1mg dose over 12 weeks. Results were presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2025 and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The trial also showed consistent efficacy across subgroups of patients with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension, with low rates of hyperkalemia and a safety profile aligned with its mechanism of action.

Baxdrostat’s success positions it as a potential first-in-class aldosterone synthase inhibitor, targeting a high-unmet-need segment of hypertension patients. The drug is currently under investigation in over 20,000 patients globally, including trials for chronic kidney disease and heart failure prevention. While the 2mg dose outperformed the 1mg dose in 24-hour blood pressure reduction, both doses showed significant improvements in diastolic readings and nighttime SBP. A follow-up trial, Bax24, evaluating 24-hour ambulatory effects, is expected to report later this year. Analysts note that regulatory approval could reshape treatment paradigms for patients with treatment-resistant hypertension, though long-term safety and commercialization hurdles remain to be addressed.

Historical backtest data indicates a 0.36% price increase for AZN on Sept. 2, 2025, with a trading volume of $240 million. The stock closed at $80.26, reflecting a 0.45% intraday gain. The 12-week trial results, which included a 15.7 mmHg absolute reduction in systolic blood pressure for the 2mg dose, were cited as the primary catalyst for the upward movement. No additional price drivers were identified in the provided dataset.