Investing.com -- AstraZeneca PLC's (ST:AZN) experimental drug baxdrostat successfully met its primary endpoint in a late-stage clinical trial for patients with resistant hypertension, the company announced Tuesday.

The drug demonstrated a "statistically significant and highly clinically meaningful" reduction in blood pressure when compared to placebo in the 12-week Bax24 trial, which tested a 2mg dose in patients whose blood pressure remained elevated despite taking multiple medications.

Patients receiving baxdrostat experienced a greater reduction in average systolic blood pressure (the top number in a reading) over a 24-hour period. The beneficial effects were observed throughout the day, including during early morning hours when heart attacks and strokes occur more frequently.

The once-daily medication works by blocking aldosterone, a hormone that increases blood pressure by causing the body to retain salt and water. According to the company, baxdrostat was generally well tolerated, with a safety profile consistent with previous studies.

This positive outcome represents a significant advancement in treating resistant hypertension, a condition where blood pressure remains high despite the use of multiple antihypertensive medications.