November 26,1996

John Hontz, Ph.D.
210 Woodhaven Road
Greenville, NC  27834

Dear John:

It is a pleasure to offer you the position of Vice President, Research and
Development at CIMA LABS INC.  You will report directly to me.  The details of
your offer are as follows:

1.  Base Salary:  $5192.31 per pay period (bi-weekly) which is the equivalent
    of $135,000 annually.
2.  Executive Bonus:  Eligible to receive up to 40% of your salary as
    additional compensation in some combination of cash and stock options based
    on the performance of the company meeting objectives and your performance
    meeting objectives.
3.  Executive Severance:  If within the first year of employment you are
    terminated without cause by the company, you will receive six months
    salary.
4.  Stock Options:  36,000 shares of stock at an option price of $X.XX per
    share subject to standard employee stock option requirements.  The option
    price will be determined by the closing price on the first day of your
    employment.
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.  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 at a medical clinic of our
choice as well as agreeing to and completion of drug testing.  CIMA is a drug
free environment.

Enclosed is a summary of company provided benefits and the medical and dental
employee benefits costs.  I am also providing you with a packet of information
outlining the Medica medical insurance and the Guardian dental/life/AD&D/LTD/STD
insurance.

Also enclosed is a copy of the CIMA LABS INC., employment agreement for your
signature.

John, we are very excited about your joining CIMA.  The development of new
technology is the lifeblood of a company like ours.  We believe you can help us
be more innovative in that area.  I look forward to hearing of your acceptance
soon.  Please sign and date in the space provided and fax back to me at (612)
947-8770.

Sincerely,


John M. Siebert, Ph.D.
JMS:rjg
Enclosures
cc:   Ronald Gay
SIGNED AND ACCEPTED
____________________________________________ Date_____________________________
John Hontz, Ph.D.       


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