Effect of Omalizumab in Patients With Severe Persistent Non-atopic Uncontrolled Asthma

Inclusion Criteria: Severe persistent asthma with the following characteristics: * Uncontrolled according to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2007 guidelines and at least 2 exacerbations having required systemic corticosteroid and/or at least 1 hospitalization or emergency room visit in the past year. * Treated with high-dose inhaled corticosteroid (i.e. \> 1,000 µg beclometasone dipropionate equivalent per day) plus inhaled long-acting β2 agonist (with or without maintenance oral corticosteroid). * Non-atopic, i.e. negative blood multiallergic testing and negative Aspergillus-specific IgE-radio allergosorbent blood test and negative skin prick tests to a battery of common aeroallergens Exclusion Criteria: * Current smokers or smoking history stopped for less than 3 years or \> 10 pack years. * Asthma exacerbation during the 4 weeks prior to randomization. * Active lung disease other than non-atopic asthma. * Patients with an active cancer, a suspicion of cancer or any history of cancer with less than 5 disease free years. * Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women. * Treatment with omalizumab. Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply