CIMA LABS Issued Second Patent for OraVescent Oral Drug Delivery Technology.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 5, 2002

Technology Designed to Improve Absorption Rates of Active Drug

Ingredients Across Mucosal Membranes Lining Gastrointestinal Tract 

CIMA LABS INC. (Nasdaq:CIMA) today announced the issuance of a second patent (U.S. patent No. 6,350,470) from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office covering its OraVescent(TM) technology. This patent applies to an oral drug delivery system designed to improve the transport of active drug ingredients across mucosal membranes lining the gastrointestinal tract. Patent protection will extend through 2019.

A first patent on CIMA's OraVescent technology, which was issued in March 2001, applies to a drug delivery system that utilizes a tablet placed under the tongue or between the gum and cheek to improve drug absorption across mucosal membranes lining the mouth.

The second OraVescent patent applies to tablets or capsules that are swallowed by the patient. The drug is released when the tablet or capsule reaches the targeted part of the gastrointestinal tract for optimal absorption. OraVescent uses a barrier coating that prevents premature release of the drug, and effervescence to drive the drug across mucosal membranes. Mucoadhesives and pH adjusting substances may be used with the OraVescent technology to further enhance the absorption process.

John M. Siebert, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer, commented: "We are extremely pleased to have additional patent protection extended to our OraVescent technology. OraVescent has the potential to rival the importance of our current OraSolv(R) and DuraSolv(R) fast-dissolve drug delivery systems over the next few years."

CIMA is currently developing a proprietary product that incorporates its OraVescent technology (for mucosal membranes lining the mouth) with fentanyl, a drug used to treat breakthrough cancer pain. Three human studies on OraVescent fentanyl have been completed, and the results have confirmed CIMA's initial hypothesis that effervescence drives active drug compounds across mucosal membranes. These studies found that OraVescent fentanyl was absorbed 50% more quickly than Actiq(R), the commercial control used in these studies. It was also determined that the extent of absorption was 50% to 60% greater for OraVescent fentanyl than for Actiq.

CIMA presented this human data to the Food and Drug Administration at a pre-IND (Investigational New Drug) meeting in November. Based upon the clinical development plan discussed at that meeting, the Company believes OraVescent fentanyl could be introduced to the U.S. market by late 2004.

About CIMA LABS

CIMA develops and manufactures prescription and over-the-counter products based upon its proprietary, fast-dissolve drug delivery technologies, OraSolv and DuraSolv. Based on our technologies, an active drug ingredient is formulated into a new, orally disintegrating dosage form that dissolves quickly in the mouth without chewing or the need for water. CIMA's fast-dissolve technologies also incorporate taste masking agents to prevent or minimize the unpleasant taste associated with many active drug ingredients. Our business is currently focused on pharmaceutical company partners for whom we manufacture three branded prescription pharmaceuticals and two over-the-counter brands. In a new strategic initiative, CIMA is internally developing proprietary products based on pharmaceuticals that are expected to lose marketing exclusivity over the next several years. These new proprietary products will utilize our OraSolv and DuraSolv fast-dissolve technologies, as well as our new OraVescent technology, an enhanced absorption, transmucosal drug delivery system.

Cautionary Statement

This press release, including the information related to CIMA's expectations about product introductions, contains 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. These factors include the timely and successful completion of product development activities and regulatory approvals for proposed products. 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 filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are qualified by, and should be considered in conjunction with, such cautionary statements.