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EXHIBIT 10.79

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE



$1,080,000                                                 Palo Alto, California
                                                              February 20 , 1996



         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, Howard Palefsky ("Borrower"),
promises to pay to Collagen Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Lender"), or
order, at 2500 Faber Place, Palo Alto, CA 94303, or at such other place as
Lender may from time to time designate in writing, the sum of one million,
eighty thousand dollars ($1,080,000).

         Interest will be accrued quarterly on the outstanding principal balance
at the lower of: Ten percent (10%) per annum, or the prime rate as of the last
day of the calendar quarter, as reported in the Wall Street Journal. All accrued
interest will be paid annually, on the anniversary of the date of this
agreement.

         If Borrower's employment with the Lender terminates for any reason, the
then outstanding principal balance of this Note, and interest accrued thereon
shall become due and payable immediately. Borrower hereby acknowledges that the
amounts of principal reduced hereunder and any interest imputed to Borrower
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, will be taxable income to
Borrower and, as such will be subject to all applicable federal state and local
tax withholding requirements.

         Amounts due under this Note shall be payable in lawful money of the
United States of America and in immediately available funds. All payments under
this Note shall be applied first to any accrued and unpaid interest and then to
principal. Borrower shall have the right to pay, without penalty or premium, all
or any portion of the outstanding principal amount of this Note at any time.

         Borrower waives presentment, protest and demand, and notice of protest,
demand, dishonor and nonpayment of this Note and diligence in taking any action
to collect any amounts owing under this Note by proceeding against any of the
rights securing the payment of this Note. If action is instituted on this Note,
Borrower agrees to pay such reasonable sum as attorney's fees as the court may
fix and award in such action.

         This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of California.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has executed this Note as of the date
first written above.

/s/William G. Davis                                   /s/Howard D. Palefsky
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Acknowledged and accepted by:
Bill Davis                                            --------------------------
Chairman, HR Committee