Photo Credit : WAM
Dubai, UAE — May 2026 — The UAE has become the first country in the world to approve a new treatment for uncontrolled hypertension, marking a major step forward in cardiovascular care and pharmaceutical innovation.
According to the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), the authority has approved Baxfendy, a new medicine developed by AstraZeneca containing the active ingredient baxdrostat. The treatment will be available in 1 mg and 2 mg doses and is designed to be used alongside existing blood pressure medications for patients whose hypertension remains uncontrolled despite current therapies.
The approval positions the UAE at the forefront of advanced healthcare regulation and reflects the country’s commitment to accelerating patient access to innovative medicines through flexible and innovation-driven regulatory frameworks.
Baxfendy works by inhibiting an enzyme responsible for producing aldosterone, a hormone linked to elevated blood pressure. By targeting the underlying biological mechanisms of resistant hypertension, the therapy offers a more precise treatment option for patients who do not respond adequately to conventional medications.
Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director-General of the EDE, said the approval represents another important milestone in expanding access to advanced medical treatments that directly target disease pathways, particularly for patients with limited response to traditional therapies.
She noted that the EDE continues to prioritise fast and flexible approval pathways aligned with national healthcare priorities to ensure timely patient access to innovative therapies while improving clinical outcomes and strengthening long-term healthcare sustainability.
The treatment’s approval was supported by positive findings from the Phase III BaxHTN and Bax24 clinical trials, which showed statistically significant reductions in uncontrolled blood pressure when Baxfendy was used alongside standard hypertension therapies.
Sameh El Fangary, Gulf Country President at AstraZeneca, described the UAE’s decision as a significant advancement in expanding treatment options for hypertension patients and a reflection of confidence in the scientific evidence behind the therapy.
He added that the company remains committed to working closely with healthcare partners across the UAE to improve patient access to pharmaceutical innovation and support better long-term treatment outcomes.
The approval also forms part of the EDE’s broader strategy to strengthen pharmaceutical security, ensure sustainable access to innovative medicines, and reinforce the resilience of the UAE healthcare ecosystem in line with national public health priorities.
