A Clinical Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Aliskiren Alone and in Combination With Ramipril in Hypertensive, Diabetic Patients.

An Eight-week, Randomized, Double-blind, Parallel Group, Multicenter, Dose Escalation Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Aliskiren Administered Alone and in Combination With Ramipril in Patients With Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus

To demonstrate the efficacy and safety of aliskiren given to patients with both hypertension and diabetes mellitus

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients with essential hypertension
• Patients with a documented diagnosis of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Patients who are eligible and able to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

• Severe hypertension
• History or evidence of a secondary form of hypertension
• History of hypertensive encephalopathy or cerebrovascular accident. Other protocol-defined exclusion criteria may apply