Study Comparing SPP100 (Aliskiren) 150mg to Placebo and to Losartan 50mg in Patients With Mild to Moderate Essential Hypertension

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo and Active-controlled, Multicenter, Parallel-group Study Comparing SPP100 (Aliskiren) 150mg to Placebo and to Losartan 50mg to Evaluate Efficacy, Safety and Pharmacokinetics in Patients With Mild to Moderate Essential Hypertension

Assessing efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age: 20 - 75 years old
• Gender: Male or female
• Status: Outpatients
• Mild to moderate essential hypertension

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women, lactating mothers, women suspected of being pregnant, or women who wish to be pregnant
• Patients with msSBP >==180 mmHg and/or msDBP >=110 mmHg at Visit 1, 2 or 3
• Patients with or suspected of having secondary hypertension (due to aortic coarctation, primary aldosteronism, etc.)
• Patients suspected of having malignant hypertension

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply