• Change in mean sitting diastolic blood pressure (dBP), assessed by conventional BP measurements after 12 weeks of treatment
  

• - Change in mean sitting dBP, assessed by conventional BP measurements after 1, 2, 3, 8, 18, 24, 30, 36, 44 and 52 weeks of treatment;
  
• - Change in mean sitting sBP, assessed by conventional BP measurements after 1, 2, 3, 8, 18, 24, 30, 36, 44 and 52 weeks of treatment;
  
• - Response to treatment (i.e. mean sitting dBP less than or equal to 90 mmHg or reduction greater than or equal to 10 mmHg) after 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 44 and 52 weeks of treatment;
  
• - Changes in CLcr and serum creatinine after 12 and 52 weeks of treatment, changes in proteinuria after 4, 12, 24, 36 and 52 weeks of treatment;
  
• - Onset of BP lowering effect;
  
• - Rate of patients per dose level after 12 and 52 weeks of treatment;
  
• - Safety and tolerability.
  

Inclusion Criteria:

• Mean sitting BP prior to randomization of 140-180/90-109 mmHg;
• Renal impairment prior to randomization of mild (50 ≤ CLcr ≥ 80 mL/min) to moderate (30 ≤ CLcr ≥50 mL/min) severity

Exclusion Criteria:

• Malignant hypertension or sitting BP greater than 180/109 mmHg;
• Severe heart failure, severe renal disease;
• Recent history of myocardial infarction, stroke or transient ischemic attack;
• History, clinical or current evidence of any significant gastrointestinal, respiratory, hematological, metabolic, immunological or any other underlying disease which in the opinion of the investigator would interfere with the patient's participation in the trial;
• Hypersensitivity or contraindications to ARBs or ACE inhibitors or any cross allergy;
• Treatment with dis-allowed medication;
• Pregnant or breastfeeding females or females of childbearing potential without adequate contraception;
• History of drug and/or alcohol abuse