Assessment of LCZ696 and Valsartan in Asian Patients With Salt-sensitive Hypertension

Key Inclusion Criteria: * Written informed consent must be obtained before any study assessment is performed. * Males and females of non-childbearing potential and of legal age (at least 18 years or older as defined by local law). * Asian patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension, untreated or currently taking antihypertensive therapy with up to two drugs. Key Exclusion Criteria: * Women of child-bearing potential. * History of angioedema, drug-related or otherwise * History of hypersensitivity to LCZ696, valsartan, or drugs of similar chemical classes. * Severe hypertension (grade 3 of WHO classification; msDBP ≥100 mmHg and/or msSBP ≥ 180 mmHg) at screening or at the end of the washout period. * History or evidence of a secondary form of hypertension, * Transient ischemic cerebral attack (TIA) during the 12 months prior to screening or any history of stroke. * History of myocardial infarction, coronary bypass surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during 12 month prior to screening. * Current or history of hypertensive retinopathy. * Previous or current diagnosis of heart failure (NYHA Class II-IV). * Clinically significant valvular heart disease at screening. Other protocol defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply