CIMA LABS Announces Temporary Stock Repurchase Program.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 2001

CIMA LABS INC. (Nasdaq:CIMA) today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a temporary stock repurchase program of up to $20.0 million in accordance with the emergency rules issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on September 14. The repurchase program is effective immediately and will expire at the market close on September 21.

John M. Siebert, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer, commented: "We decided to implement this program in light of the emergency rules issued by the SEC last Friday, which are aimed at facilitating the reopening of financial markets on a fair and orderly basis. We view this temporary stock repurchase program as a strong expression of confidence in our nation's economy and CIMA's business in the near and long-term future."

Under this new program, share repurchases, which will be funded by working capital, may be made from time to time, depending on market conditions, share price and other factors. As of August 31, 2001, CIMA had approximately 14.7 million shares outstanding.

About CIMA

CIMA develops and manufactures prescription and over-the-counter products for pharmaceutical companies based upon its proprietary, fast-dissolve drug delivery technologies, OraSolv(R) and DuraSolv(TM). CIMA formulates a pharmaceutical company's active drug ingredient into a new, orally disintegrating dosage form that dissolves quickly in the mouth without chewing or the need for water. Taste masking agents may be used with the Company's fast-dissolve technologies to prevent or minimize the unpleasant taste associated with many active drug ingredients. CIMA currently manufactures five pharmaceutical brands utilizing its OraSolv and DuraSolv technologies: three prescription and two over-the-counter.

The statements in this press release regarding the repurchase of CIMA common stock and the expected duration of the repurchase program are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from CIMA's assumptions and expectations. CIMA may repurchase $20 million of its common stock, none of its common stock, or any amount in between, and lengthen or shorten the repurchase period, depending on the trading price of its common stock, market conditions, or for other reasons. Additional factors that may cause actual results to differ from CIMA's assumptions and expectations include those set forth under the heading "Factors That Could Affect Future Results" included in CIMA's most recent SEC filings. All forward-looking statements are qualified by, and should be considered in conjunction with, such cautionary statements.