CIMA LABS Says Teva Ruling Expected to Have Little or No Impact On Sales of Remeron SolTab.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 19, 2002

CIMA LABS INC. (Nasdaq:CIMA) today said that a U.S. District Court ruling yesterday, in which the generic version of mirtazapine developed by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Teva) was found not to infringe Organon's patent concerning the use of Remeron(R), is expected to have little or no impact on CIMA's estimates of sales of Remeron SolTab(TM), the fast-dissolve version of Remeron that CIMA developed and manufactures for Organon.

John M. Siebert, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer, commented: "We are not overly concerned by this ruling, because Teva's generic version of Remeron standard tablets does not pose a direct competitive threat to our fast-dissolve formulation, Remeron SolTab, which is a different product."

Siebert continued: "Consistent with statements in our third quarter earnings conference call, we believe demand for Remeron SolTab should peak in 2003 and then stabilize in subsequent years as the growing demand for Remeron SolTab in non-U.S. markets offsets the possibility of declining demand in the U.S. following the introduction of a generic version of Remeron SolTab. Moreover, CIMA continues to be optimistic about its future growth prospects due to the new products that are expected to be introduced over the next few years."

About CIMA:

CIMA develops and manufactures prescription and over-the-counter products based upon its proprietary, fast-dissolve drug delivery technologies, OraSolv(R) and DuraSolv(R). Based on our technologies, an active drug ingredient, which we frequently taste-mask, is formulated into a new, orally disintegrating dosage form that dissolves quickly in the mouth without chewing or the need for water. CIMA's business involves a dual operating strategy. We develop and manufacture fast-dissolve versions of active drug ingredients for pharmaceutical company partners for whom we currently produce three branded prescription pharmaceuticals and three over-the-counter brands. CIMA is also developing proprietary products that will utilize our OraSolv and DuraSolv technologies, as well as our new OraVescent(R) enhanced absorption, transmucosal drug delivery system.

Cautionary Statement:

This press release, including the information related to CIMA's expectations about new product introductions, marketing efforts of third parties, sources of future revenues, earnings and revenues, 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, regulatory approval for proposed products, consumer acceptance of CIMA's products and the success of pharmaceutical companies in marketing CIMA's 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.