In this study, MEK162 will be administered to Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors whose disease has progressed despite standard therapy or for whom no standard therapy exists. The trial will investigate the safety and tolerability and determine the MTD of MEK162 in Japanese patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with histologically-confirmed, advanced unresectable solid tumors who have progressed within three months before screening/baseline visit.
• Availability of a representative formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumor tissue sample.
• At least one measurable or non-measurable lesion
• Age ≥ 18 years
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status ≤ 2
• Good organ (hepatic, kidney, BM) function at screening/baseline visit.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Brain metastasis unless treated and free of signs/symptoms attributable to brain metastasis in the absence of corticosteroid therapy and anti-epileptic therapy.
• Impaired cardiac function or clinically significant cardiac disease incl. unstable angina pectoris ≤ 3 months prior to starting study drug and Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) ≤ 3 months prior to starting study drug.
• Women who are pregnant or breast feeding or adults of reproductive potential not employing an effective method of birth control.

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply