[CIMA Labs Inc. Letterhead]



August 6, 1996


Keith P. Salenger
112 Ridge View Lane
Doylestown, PA 18901

Dear Keith:

It is a pleasure to offer you the position of Chief Financial Officer and Vice
President at CIMA Labs.  You will report directly to me.  The details of your
offer is as follows:

1.   Base Salary: $5,384.62 per pay period (bi-weekly) which is the 
     equivalent of $140,000 annually.

2.   Executive Bonus: Eligible to receive up to 40% of your salary as 
     additional compensation based on the company performance meeting 
     objectives and your performance meeting objectives.

3.   Executive Severance: If within your first year of employment you are
     terminated without cause by the company, you will receive six months
     salary.

4.   Stock Options: 40,000 shares of stock at an option price of $X.XXX per
     share subject to standard employee stock option requirements.  The 
     option price will be determined on the date the Stock Option Committee 
     approves the action already agreed by the Board of Directors.

5.   Vacation: You will receive 4 weeks of vacation on an annual basis.

6.   Moving Expenses: Relocation to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area according to 
     the enclosed CIMA Moving Policy.  In addition, you will receive a one 
     time moving bonus of $25,000.00.  As an exception to the Moving Policy, 
     we will reimburse you for temporary living expenses for three months 
     and will reimburse you for flights home every other weekend.  You will 
     also be reimbursed for two house-hunting trips.

This offer is contingent upon passing a physical we choose or agree to and 
upon completion of a drug testing.  CIMA is a drug free environment.

Enclosed is a copy of the Summary of Company Provided Benefits and Medical 
and Dental Employee Benefit Costs.  I am also providing you with a pack of 
information outlining the Medica Medical Insurance and the Guardian 
Dental/Life/AD&D/LTD Insurance.



                                      -2-

Also enclosed is a copy of the CIMA Labs Inc. Employment Agreement for your 
signature.

Keith, we are very excited to have you join CIMA Labs.  We believe we have 
some difficult challenges in front of us which you can help.  I look forward 
to hearing your acceptance within the next week.  Please sign and date in the 
space provided and fax back to me at 612-947-8770.

Sincerely,

/s/ John M. Siebert

John M. Siebert, Ph.D.

JMS:mmr
Enclosures

cc: Michele Roepke






SIGNED ACCEPTANCE:



/s/ Keith P. Salenger                        August 8, 1996
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Keith P. Salenger                                 Date