Efficacy and Safety of LCZ696 200 mg + Amlodipine 5 mg in Comparison With Amlodipine 5 mg in Hypertensive Patients Not Responding to Amlodipine

A Randomized, 8-week, Double-blind, Parallel-group, Active-controlled, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of the Combination of LCZ696 200 mg + Amlodipine 5 mg in Comparison With Amlodipine 5 mg in Patients With Essential Hypertension Not Adequately Responsive to Amlodipine 5 mg Monotherapy Treatment

This study will assess whether LCZ696 when used in combination with amlodipine will provide greater BP lowering benefit compared to amlodipine alone in Asian hypertensive patients not adequately responsive to amlodipine therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients must give written informed consent and have a diagnosis of hypertension:

Untreated patients must have an msSBP ≥ 150 mmHg and < 180 mmHg at both Visit 1 and Visit 101. Pre-treated patients must have an msSBP ≥ 145 mmHg and < 180 mmHg after wash out at Visit 101. All patients must have an office msSBP ≥ 145 mmHg and < 180 mmHg at the completion of the 4-week run-in epoch (at the randomization visit (Visit 201).

Patients must successfully complete ABPM and pass technical requirements at Visit 201.

Exclusion Criteria:

Malignant or severe hypertension (grade 3 of WHO classification; msDBP ≥110 mmHg and/or msSBP ≥ 180 mmHg).

History of angioedema, drug-related or otherwise. History or evidence of a secondary form of hypertension. Transient ischemic cerebral attack (TIA) during the 12 months prior to Visit 1 or any history of stroke.

History of myocardial infarction, coronary bypass surgery or PCI during the 12 months prior to Visit 1

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply