Document:

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                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.19

                              DATE 15 DECEMBER 1999

                                    ASTRA AB

                                     - AND -

                             CIMA LABORATORIES, INC.

                   -------------------------------------------

                                 LOAN AGREEMENT

                   -------------------------------------------

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THIS AGREEMENT is dated       1999 and made
BETWEEN:

1.       ASTRA AB, a company established and existing in accordance with the
         laws of Sweden under no. 556011-7482 whose headquarters is at S-151 85
         Sodertalje, Sweden ("Astra"); and

2.       CIMA LABORATORIES, INC., a corporation incorporated in the State of
         Delaware, United States of America under no. 2110839 whose principal
         place of business is at 10000 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie,
         Minnesota, USA 55344 ("CIMA").

WHEREAS

(A)      CIMA owns or has rights to certain oral drug-delivery technology
         marketed under the trademark OraSolv(R) and related know-how.

(B)      IPR has an exclusive license to make, have made, use and sell products
         containing the pharmaceutical drug "zolmitriptan" on a worldwide basis.

(C)      CIMA and IPR entered into a Development and License Option Agreement,
         dated as of September 10, 1997 (the "Development Agreement"), under
         which CIMA has developed a pharmaceutical product formulation
         incorporating zolmitriptan and the OraSolv(R) Technology.

(D)      CIMA entered into a License Agreement with IPR dated 28 May 1999 ("the
         License Agreement") to allow IPR or IPR's Affiliates to utilize the
         OraSolv(R) Technology for the development, marketing, distribution and
         sale of the Product.
<PAGE>   3

(E)      CIMA has requested that Astra lend, or procure the loan to CIMA of, the
         sum of US$3.5 million in order to assist CIMA in improving its
         operations and to help to assure availability and flow of the Product
         from CIMA to Zeneca Limited (an Affiliate of Astra).

(F)      The first launch of 'Zomig'(R) rapimelt took place in Portugal in early
         September 1999 and, dependent on the level of sales of 'Zomig' Rapimelt
         throughout the world, it is anticipated that royalties will become due
         from IPR to CIMA under the Licence Agreement in respect of such sales.

IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1        DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

         1.1      Definitions

                  In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

                  "ANNIVERSARY DATE" means the date one year after the first
                  Payment Date and the date marking the end of each subsequent
                  one year period;

                  "BANKING DAY" means a day (other than Saturday or Sunday) on
                  which banks are open for business in London and Minnesota;

                  "CHANGE OF CONTROL" means if any person or persons acting in
                  concert (other than the current officers and directors of
                  CIMA), together with Affiliates thereof, shall in the
                  aggregate, directly or indirectly, control or own
                  (beneficially or otherwise) more than 50% of the issued and
                  outstanding voting stock of CIMA.

                  "DATE OF THIS AGREEMENT" means the date upon which this
                  Agreement is signed and delivered by the latter of the parties
                  to sign and deliver it;

                  "DEFAULT" means any Event of Default or any event or
                  circumstance which would, upon the giving of notice by Astra
                  and/or the expiry of the relevant period and/or the
                  fulfillment of any other condition (in each case as specified
                  in clause 10.1) constitute an Event of Default;
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                  "ENCUMBRANCE" means any mortgage, charge (whether fixed or
                  floating), pledge, lien, hypothecation, assignment, trust
                  arrangement or security interest of any kind securing any
                  obligation of any person or any other type of preferential
                  arrangement (including without limitation title transfer
                  and/or retention arrangements having a similar effect) but
                  does not include liens arising in the ordinary course of
                  trading by operation of law and not by way of contract;

                  "EVENT OF DEFAULT" means any of the events or circumstances
                  described in clause 10.1;

                  "INDEBTEDNESS" means any obligation for the payment or
                  repayment of money borrowed, whether as principal or as surety
                  and whether present or future, actual or contingent;

                  "INTEREST PERIOD" means in relation to the Loan the three
                  month period commencing on the Date of this Agreement and each
                  subsequent three month period commencing on the last day of
                  the previous Interest Period provided that, if any Interest
                  Period would otherwise overrun a Payment Date falling during
                  that Interest Period then, in the case of the final Payment
                  Date, such Interest Period shall end on such Payment Date and,
                  in the case of any other Payment Date such Interest Period
                  shall end on and the next Interest Period shall start on that
                  Payment Date;

                  "IPR" means IPR Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a corporation
                  incorporated in Puerto Rico under no. 61,324 whose registered
                  office is at P O Box 1967, Carolina, 00984 Puerto Rico (an
                  Affiliate of Astra);

                  "LIBOR" means, in relation to a particular period, either (a)
                  the rate per annum determined by Astra to be the arithmetic
                  mean (rounded upwards, if necessary, to five decimal places)
                  of the London interbank offered rates for US Dollars deposits
                  for a three month period at or about 11.00 a.m. (London time)
                  on the first day of such period as displayed on the "LIBP"
                  page on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or such other
                  page as may replace such "LIBP" page on such service for the
                  purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates of
<PAGE>   5

                  leading banks for US Dollars deposits) or (b) if on such day
                  no rate is available for the purpose of part (a) above, the
                  rate per annum determined by Astra to be the arithmetic mean
                  (rounded upwards, if necessary, to five decimal places) at
                  which Astra's bankers (for the time being) would be offered US
                  Dollars deposits for a three month period by prime banks in
                  the London interbank market at or about 11.00 a.m. (London
                  time) on the first day of such period;

                  "LOAN" means the term loan in a principal amount of US Dollars
                  Three Million five hundred thousand (US$ 3,500,000) to be
                  advanced to CIMA by Astra pursuant to the terms of this
                  Agreement or, as the context requires, the principal amount
                  owing to Astra under this Agreement at any relevant time
                  together with all interest accrued thereon and unpaid for the
                  time being;

                  "MATURITY DATE" means the date which is the third Anniversary
                  Date; provided, however, that if total royalties payable to
                  CIMA under the Licence Agreement prior to the third
                  Anniversary Date prior to any withholding thereof by IPR under
                  clause 4.1 or 4.2, are less than an aggregate of $3,500,000,
                  then the Maturity Date shall be extended for a period of one
                  year; and the Maturity Date shall thereafter be extended for
                  successive one-year periods until such royalties payable have
                  exceeded $3,500,000 in aggregate;

                  "MONTH" means a period beginning in one calendar month and
                  ending in the next calendar month on the day numerically
                  corresponding to the day of the calendar month on which it
                  started, provided that (i) if the period started on the last
                  Banking Day in a calendar month or if there is no such
                  numerically corresponding day, it shall end on the last
                  Banking Day in such next calendar month and (ii) if such
                  numerically corresponding day is not a Banking Day, the period
                  shall end on the next following Banking Day in the same
                  calendar month but if there is no such Banking Day it shall
                  end on the preceding Banking Day and the expressions "MONTHS"
                  and "MONTHLY" shall be construed accordingly; and

                  "ORASOLV(R) TECHNOLOGY" means CIMA's effervescent,
                  fast-dissolving, oral drug delivery tablet technology as
                  defined in the Licence Agreement;
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                  "PAYMENT DATES" means each of the dates on which repayment
                  installments are due in respect of the Loan under clause 4.1;

                  "PRODUCT" or "`ZOMIG' RAPIMELT" shall mean the pharmaceutical
                  dosage form which is formulated using the OraSolv(R)
                  Technology and contains zolmitriptan as its active ingredient,
                  whether taste masked or untreated.

                  "SALE" means the disposal (whether by virtue of one
                  transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or not
                  less than 30% (by book value) of the assets of CIMA;

                  "TAXES" includes all present and future taxes, levies,
                  imposts, duties, fees or charges of whatever nature together
                  with interest thereon and penalties in respect thereof and the
                  expression "TAXATION" shall be construed accordingly.

         1.2      Headings

                  Clause headings are inserted for convenience of reference only
                  and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this Agreement.

         1.3      Construction of certain terms

                  In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

                  1.3.1   references to clauses, parties, schedules and recitals
                          are to be construed as references to the clauses of,
                          and the parties, schedules and recitals to, this
                          Agreement and references to this Agreement include its
                          schedules;

                  1.3.2   references to (or to any specified provision of) this
                          Agreement or any other document shall be construed as
                          references to this Agreement, that provision or that
                          document as in force for the time being and as from
                          time to time amended in accordance with
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                          the terms thereof, or, as the case may be, with the
                          agreement of the relevant parties;

                  1.3.3   words importing the plural shall include the singular
                          and vice versa;

                  1.3.4   references to a time of day are to London time;

                  1.3.5   references to a person shall be construed as including
                          references to an individual, firm, company,
                          corporation, unincorporated body of persons or any
                          State or any agency thereof; and

                  1.3.6   references to any enactment shall be deemed to include
                          references to such enactment as re-enacted, amended or
                          extended.

         1.4      Terms defined in the Supply Agreement or the Licence Agreement
                  shall have the same meaning when used in this Agreement.

2        THE LOAN

         2.1      Astra relying upon each of the representations and warranties
                  in clause 7, shall advance the Loan to CIMA within ten (10)
                  days after the date of this Agreement, upon and subject to the
                  terms of this Agreement.

         2.2      Astra shall advance the Loan by crediting CIMA's bank account
                  no. with the sum of US $3,500,000 within ten (10) days after
                  the Date of this Agreement.  Details of such bank account are
                  as follows:

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                  CIMA LABS INC
                  [***CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED, PORTION OMITTED FILED
                  SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.***]
                  Bank: North West Bank
                        255 2nd Avenue South
                        Minneapolis
                        Minnesota 55479

3        INTEREST

         3.1      Normal interest rate

                  Interest shall accrue on the Loan in respect of each Interest
                  Period at the rate per annum which is the aggregate of (a) one
                  half of one per cent. and (b) LIBOR (or, if clause 3.3.1
                  applies, an alternative rate calculated in accordance with
                  clause 3.3.2). Such interest shall be compounded on the last
                  day of each Interest Period and added to the principal amount
                  of the Loan outstanding at such time.

         3.2      Default interest

                  If CIMA fails to pay any sum (including, without limitation,
                  any sum payable pursuant to this clause 3.2) on its due date
                  for payment under this Agreement CIMA shall pay interest on
                  such sum from the due date up to the date of actual payment
                  (as well after as before judgment) at a rate of the aggregate
                  of (a) two percent per annum, and (b) the interest rate in
                  effect from time to time for the Loan pursuant to clause 3.1.

         3.3      Market disruption; non-availability

                  3.3.1   If and whenever, at any time prior to the commencement
                          of any Interest Period Astra shall have determined,
                          that adequate and fair means do not exist for
                          ascertaining LIBOR during such Interest Period (even
                          with regard being had to paragraph (b) of the
                          definition of LIBOR in clause 1.1) Astra shall
                          forthwith give notice (a "Determination Notice")
                          thereof to CIMA.
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                  3.3.2   In such event, there shall be substituted for LIBOR
                          the rate of interest publicly announced by the Bank of
                          America as its prime rate, or base rate, one day prior
                          to the first day of such Interest Period, and such
                          interest rate shall remain in effect until such time
                          as Astra notifies CIMA that none of the circumstances
                          specified in clause 3.3.1 continues to exist whereupon
                          the normal interest rate fixing provisions of this
                          Agreement shall apply.

         3.4      Interest payable from CIMA to Astra under this Agreement shall
                  be paid by CIMA without deduction for any tax or duty levied
                  outside Sweden, provided however that CIMA may withhold tax to
                  the extent that Astra can obtain relief for such tax under the
                  relevant Double Taxation Agreement in force between Sweden and
                  the United States of America.  CIMA will, however, apply any
                  treaty relief that is available which reduces the level of
                  taxes required to be withheld and will provide all reasonable
                  assistance to Astra, if requested, to allow such reduced rate
                  to be applied.  If applicable laws require that taxes be
                  withheld, CIMA will deduct those taxes from the remittable
                  payments, make timely payment of the taxes to the proper
                  taxing authority and send proof of such payment to Astra
                  within sixty (60) days following that payment.  CIMA agrees to
                  take all steps reasonably requested by Astra to minimize such
                  taxes to Astra at Astra's cost and subject to CIMA being
                  indemnified by Astra to CIMA's reasonable satisfaction.  For
                  the avoidance of doubt the interest rates fixed according to
                  clauses 3.1, 3.2 or 3.3 shall be the rate of gross interest.

4        REPAYMENT

         4.1      On each date when any royalties fall due from IPR to CIMA
                  under the Licence Agreement in respect of sales of Zomig
                  Rapimelt, there shall become due and payable from CIMA to
                  Astra such part of the Loan outstanding at that time
                  (including accrued and unpaid interest thereon) as is equal to
                  50% of the royalty payment then due from IPR to CIMA (or, if
                  less, the total amount of the Loan (including accrued unpaid
                  interest thereon) outstanding at that time).  Payment shall be
                  made by CIMA to Astra in accordance with clause 6 and all
                  other relevant provisions of this Agreement.  On each Payment
                  Date IPR shall be entitled to withhold up to 50% (except as
                  provided in clause 4.2) of the

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                  amount of royalty then due to CIMA (or, if less, the total
                  amount of the Loan (including  accrued unpaid interest
                  thereon) outstanding at that time), but only if CIMA has
                  failed to make payment to Astra in whole or in part of the
                  amount due on such Payment Date and only until such amount of
                  principal and interest has been paid by CIMA to Astra. If IPR
                  so agrees with Astra, IPR may apply such withheld amount by
                  way of set-off in repayment of an equivalent amount of the
                  Loan (including accrued unpaid interest thereon).  The Licence
                  Agreement shall be deemed amended accordingly.

         4.2      If and when the Loan becomes repayable in full for any reason,
                  then without prejudice to any other remedies Astra might have,
                  IPR shall be entitled to withhold up to 100% of the amount of
                  royalties due to CIMA from time to time (or, if less, the
                  total principal amount of the Loan (including accrued unpaid
                  interest thereon outstanding at that time)), but only if CIMA
                  has failed to make payment to Astra in whole or in part of the
                  amount then due to Astra, and only until such amount has been
                  paid by CIMA to Astra. If IPR so agrees with Astra, IPR may
                  apply such amount(s) by way of set-off in repayment of an
                  equivalent amount of the Loan (including all accrued unpaid
                  interest thereon), until such time as the Loan (including all
                  accrued unpaid interest thereon) have been repaid in full. The
                  Licence Agreement shall be deemed amended accordingly.

         4.3      CIMA may at any time on a Banking Day prepay in whole or in
                  part the outstanding amount of the Loan (including interest
                  accrued thereon) without premium or penalty provided that any
                  such pre-payment of part only of the Loan must be of not less
                  than US $100,000 and subject to Astra being given not less
                  than 5 Banking Days' prior written notice of CIMA's intention
                  so to repay the Loan or such part thereof.

         4.4      CIMA shall prepay the Loan in full (together with all interest
                  accrued to the date of prepayment) within thirty (30) days
                  following a Sale or Change of Control.

         4.5      The amount of the Loan (including all accrued unpaid interest
                  thereon) outstanding and unpaid as at the Maturity Date shall
                  become due and payable from CIMA to Astra on the Maturity
                  Date.
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5        STAMP AND OTHER DUTIES

         CIMA shall pay all stamp, documentary, registration or other like
         duties or taxes (including any duties or taxes payable by Astra or IPR
         but excluding any taxes imposed on or measured by the net income of
         Astra or IPR) imposed on or in connection with this Agreement or the
         Loan and shall indemnify Astra and IPR against any liability arising by
         reason of any delay or omission by CIMA to pay such duties or taxes.

6        PAYMENTS; ACCOUNTS AND CALCULATIONS

         6.1      No set-off or counterclaim

                  All payments to be made by CIMA under this Agreement (whether
                  of principal or interest) shall be made in full, without any
                  set-off or counterclaim whatsoever and, except as provided in
                  clause 3.4, free and clear of any deductions or withholdings,
                  on the due date to such account of Astra as Astra may from
                  time to time specify for this purpose.

         6.2      Non-Banking Days

                  When any payment under this Agreement would otherwise be due
                  on a day which is not a Banking Day, the due date for payment
                  shall be extended to the next following Banking Day.

         6.3      Calculations

                  All interest and other payments of an annual nature under this
                  Agreement shall accrue from day to day and be calculated on
                  the basis of actual days elapsed and a 365 day year.

7        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         7.1      CIMA represents and warrants to Astra that:
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                  7.1.1    Corporate power to borrow

                           it has power to execute, deliver and perform its
                           obligations under this Agreement and to borrow the
                           Loan; all necessary corporate, shareholder and other
                           action has been taken to authorize the execution,
                           delivery and performance of the same and no
                           limitation on the powers of CIMA to borrow will be
                           exceeded as a result of entering into this Agreement;

                  7.1.2    Binding obligations

                           this Agreement constitutes valid and legally binding
                           obligations enforceable in accordance with its terms;

                  7.1.3    No conflict with other obligations

                           the execution and delivery of, the performance of its
                           obligations under, and compliance with the provisions
                           of this Agreement will not:

                           7.1.3.1  contravene any existing applicable law,
                                    statute, rule or regulation or any judgment,
                                    decree or permit to which it is subject;

                           7.1.3.2  conflict with, or result in any breach of
                                    any of the terms of, or constitute a default
                                    under, any agreement or other instrument to
                                    which the it is a party or is subject or by
                                    which it or any of its property is bound;

                           7.1.3.3  contravene or conflict with any provision of
                                    it's By-Laws or equivalent documents; and

                  7.1.4    Default

                           No Default has occurred and is continuing which has
                           not been waived in writing by Astra;
<PAGE>   13

         7.2      Repetition

                  The representations and warranties in clause 7.1 shall be
                  deemed to be repeated by CIMA on and as of each Payment Date
                  as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances
                  existing on each such day.

8        UNDERTAKINGS

         8.1      CIMA undertakes with Astra that from the date of this
                  Agreement and so long as any monies are owing under this
                  Agreement, it will:

                  8.1.1    Insurance

                           insure and keep insured all its properties and assets
                           with underwriters or insurance companies of repute to
                           such extent and against such risks as prudent
                           companies engaged in businesses similar to those of
                           CIMA normally insure.

                  8.1.2    Notice of Default

                           promptly inform Astra of the occurrence of any
                           Default forthwith upon becoming aware thereof, and
                           will from time to time, if so requested by Astra,
                           confirm to Astra in writing that, save as otherwise
                           stated in such confirmation, no Default has occurred
                           and is continuing;

                  8.1.3    Use of proceeds

                           use the Loan exclusively for the purposes specified
                           in recital (E) and;

                  8.1.4    Pari Passu

                           ensure that its obligations under this Agreement
                           shall, without prejudice to the provisions of clause
                           8.2, at all times rank at least pari passu with all
                           its other present and future unsecured and
                           unsubordinated Indebtedness, with the exception of
                           any
<PAGE>   14
                         obligations which are mandatorily preferred by law
                         and not by contract.

         8.2      CIMA undertakes with Astra that, from the Date of this
                  Agreement and so long as any monies are owing under this
                  Agreement, without the prior written consent of Astra, it will
                  not:

                  8.2.1  permit any Encumbrance (other than in favor of Astra)
                         to subsist, arise or be created or extended over all or
                         any part of its present or future undertakings, assets,
                         rights or revenues to secure any of its present or
                         future Indebtedness or that of any other person other
                         than Encumbrances to secure Indebtedness permitted
                         under clause 8.2.3 below;

                  8.2.2  No Loans and guarantees

                         make any loans, grant any credit (save for normal trade
                         credit in the ordinary course of business) or give any
                         guarantees (save for trade guarantees in the ordinary
                         course of its business) to or for the benefit of any
                         person; or

                  8.2.3  No Borrowings

                         incur any Indebtedness other than (i) indebtedness to
                         Astra under this Agreement, (ii) indebtedness to Wells
                         Fargo Business Credit, Inc. under that certain Credit
                         and Security Agreement dated as of July 14, 1999, (iii)
                         any future Indebtedness to Organon International A.G.
                         or any of its Affiliates in connection with any Licence
                         Agreement entered into between CIMA and Organon
                         International A.G. or any of its Affiliates, and (iv)
                         Indebtedness incurred in connection with the
                         acquisition of assets used in the business of CIMA and
                         which is secured by purchase money liens, or
                         constitutes a capitalized lease obligation, provided
                         that such Indebtedness shall not exceed 100% of the
                         cost of the assets acquired subject to such liens, and
                         such liens shall not encumber any property of CIMA
                         other than the assets acquired by CIMA subject thereto.
<PAGE>   15

9        INDEMNITIES

         9.1      Miscellaneous indemnities

                  CIMA shall on demand indemnify Astra, without prejudice to any
                  of its rights under this Agreement, against any loss or
                  expense which Astra shall certify as sustained or incurred by
                  it as a consequence of the occurrence of any Event of Default.

10       EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         10.1     There shall be an Event of Default if:

                  10.1.1     any sum due and payable by CIMA to Astra hereunder
                             is not paid in full within 14 days after the due
                             date; or

                  10.1.2     CIMA shall be in breach of or fail to perform or
                             observe any of the undertakings, conditions,
                             covenants, agreements or stipulations on its part
                             contained in this Agreement and which could have a
                             material adverse effect on the ability of CIMA to
                             comply with its payment obligations under this
                             Agreement and, in the case of a breach capable of
                             being remedied, fails to remedy that breach within
                             thirty (30) days after receiving written notice
                             from Astra specifying that breach and requiring the
                             same to be remedied; or

                  10.1.3     if CIMA commits a breach of any the provisions of
                             the Licence Agreement or of the Supply Agreement
                             and, in the case of a breach capable of being
                             remedied, fails to remedy that breach within thirty
                             (30) days after receiving written notice from Astra
                             specifying that breach and requiring the same to be
                             remedied; or

                  10.1.4     CIMA becomes insolvent or bankrupt, or admits in
                             writing its inability to pay its debts as they
                             mature, or makes an assignment for the benefit of
                             creditors, or ceases doing business as a going
                             concern, or CIMA applies for or consents
<PAGE>   16
                             to the appointment of a trustee or receiver for
                             itself or for the major part of its property; or

                  10.1.5     a trustee or receiver is appointed for CIMA or for
                             the major part of its property and the order of
                             such appointment is not discharged, vacated or
                             stayed within thirty (30) days after such
                             appointment; or

                  10.1.6     any judgment, writ or warrant of attachment or of
                             any similar process in an amount in excess of
                             $250,000 shall be entered or filed against CIMA or
                             against any of its property or assets and remains
                             unpaid, unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a
                             period of thirty (30) days; or

                  10.1.7     an order for relief shall be entered in any Federal
                             bankruptcy proceeding in which CIMA is the debtor;
                             or if bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement,
                             insolvency or liquidation proceedings, or other
                             proceedings for relief under any bankruptcy or
                             similar law or laws for the relief of debtors, are
                             instituted by or against CIMA and, if instituted
                             against CIMA, are consented to or, if contested by
                             CIMA, are not dismissed by the adverse parties or
                             by an order, decree, or judgment within sixty (60)
                             days after such institution; or

                  10.1.8     CIMA shall default in any material respect in the
                             due and punctual performance of any covenant or
                             agreement in any note, bond, indenture, loan
                             agreement, note agreement, mortgage, security
                             agreement or other instrument evidencing or related
                             to Indebtedness in excess of $500,000, and such
                             default shall continue for more than the period of
                             notice and/or grace, if any, therein specified and
                             shall not have been waived;

                  10.1.9     CIMA suspends or ceases to carry on its business or
                             any material part thereof in the ordinary course of
                             business as now conducted; or

                  10.1.10    any representation or warranty made by CIMA
                             contained in this Agreement becomes materially
                             incorrect; or
<PAGE>   17

                  10.1.11    it becomes unlawful for CIMA to perform any of its
                             obligations under this Agreement.

         10.2     At any time after any Event of Default has occurred, Astra
                  shall without prejudice to its other rights hereunder be
                  entitled to demand immediate repayment of the Loan (including
                  accrued unpaid interest thereon) and all other sums due under
                  this Agreement.

11       GENERAL

         11.1     Benefit and burden

                  This Agreement shall be binding upon, and enure for the
                  benefit of, Astra, IPR and CIMA and their respective
                  successors.

         11.2     No assignment by CIMA

                  CIMA may not assign or transfer any of its rights or
                  obligations under this Agreement.

         11.3     Assignment by Astra

                  Astra may assign all or any part of its rights or transfer all
                  or any part of its obligations under this Agreement to an
                  Affiliate of Astra or, with the consent of CIMA (such consent
                  not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to any other
                  person.

         11.4     Set-Off

                  Without prejudice to clauses 4.1 and 4.2 CIMA hereby agrees
                  that Astra and IPR may at any time after an Event of Default
                  has occurred without notice set-off any sum owing by Astra or
                  IPR to CIMA against any sums due to Astra hereunder.

         11.5     Agreement to Prevail

                  For the avoidance of doubt should any of the provisions of the
                  Licence

<PAGE>   18
                  Agreement or the Supply Agreement conflict with the express
                  terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall
                  prevail.

12       NOTICES AND OTHER MATTERS

         12.1     Notices

                  Every notice, request, demand or other communication under
                  this Agreement shall:

                  12.1.1   be in writing delivered personally, by facsimile
                           transmission or by first-class prepaid letter;

                  12.1.2   be deemed to have been received, subject as otherwise
                           provided in this Agreement, in the case of a letter
                           when delivered or (if sent by airmail) 5 days after
                           it has been put into the post and in the case of
                           facsimile transmission, on the date the facsimile is
                           received; and

                  12.1.3   be sent:

                           to CIMA at:  10000 Valley View Road
                                            Eden Prairie, MN USA 55344
                                            Fax No: 612/947-8770

                           marked for the attention of: President and Chief
                           Executive Officer; and

                           to Astra at: Vastra Malarehamnen 9
                                            S-151 36 Sodertalje
                                            Sweden
                                            Fax No:  08-553 290 00

                           marked for the attention of: Legal Affairs
                           Department.

                           or to such other address or for the attention of such
                           other person as is notified by CIMA or Astra to the
                           other party to this Agreement.
<PAGE>   19

         12.2     No implied waivers, remedies cumulative

                  No failure or delay on the part of Astra to exercise any
                  power, right or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a
                  waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by
                  Astra of any power, right or remedy preclude any other or
                  further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power,
                  right or remedy. The remedies provided in this Agreement are
                  cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies provided by
                  law.

13       FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL

         As further consideration for Astra agreeing to advance the Loan, CIMA
         hereby grants to Astra a first right of refusal to exploit any new
         technology to which CIMA may have the right from time to time and which
         may have application in conjunction with any technology or products of
         Astra or any of its Affiliates. Accordingly, CIMA may not grant to any
         third party the right to exploit any such technology if within one year
         from the date upon which CIMA notifies Astra of its intention to grant
         such a right to any third party, Astra (or one of its Affiliates) has
         entered into a license and development option agreement with CIMA in
         respect of such new technology for at least one application. For these
         purposes, CIMA agrees to negotiate any such agreement in good faith and
         that the terms of any such agreement shall be at least equivalent to
         those offered by CIMA to any third party.

14       ENTIRE AGREEMENT

         14.1     This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding
                  of the parties with respect to the Loan and supersedes all
                  prior agreements, written or oral with respect to the Loan.
                  Each party acknowledges that it has not been induced to enter
                  into this Agreement by reason of any representation made by or
                  on behalf of the other party.

         14.2     No variation to this Agreement shall be effective unless in
                  writing and signed by or on behalf of both parties.
<PAGE>   20

15       GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

         15.1     Law

                  This Agreement is governed by and shall be construed in
                  accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without
                  regard to its choice of law provisions and each party submits
                  to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal courts of the
                  United States sitting in the State of Delaware and the courts
                  of the State of Delaware.

         15.2     The submission by the parties to such jurisdiction shall not
                  limit the right of Astra or CIMA to commence any proceedings
                  arising out of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction it
                  considers appropriate. Any notice of proceedings or other
                  notices in connection with or which would give effect to any
                  such proceedings may without prejudice to any other method of
                  service be served in accordance with Clause 12.

IN WITNESS whereof the parties to this Agreement have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed on the date first above written.

ASTRA AB (in the process of changing its name to AstraZeneca AB)

Signed /s/ Johannes Linda
Johannes Linda
Assistant General Counsel

December 13, 1999

CIMA LABORATORIES, INC.

Signed  /s/ John M. Siebert

Title  President and CEO

Date 15 December 99<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.20

                                LICENSE AGREEMENT

This Agreement made this 29 day of December, 1999 by and between

1.  ORGANON INTERNATIONAL AG., a corporation duly organized and existing under
    the laws of Switzerland and having its registered offices at 160 B,
    Churerstrasse, P.O. Box 129, 8808 Pfaffikon, Switzerland,

    and

    N.V. ORGANON, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of
    The Netherlands and having its registered offices at Kloosterstraat 6, 5348
    AB, Oss, The Netherlands, on the one hand, jointly hereinafter referred to
    as "Organon",

    and

2.  CIMA LABS INC. a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of
    Delaware and having its registered offices at 10000 Valley View Road, Eden
    Prairie, Minnesota 55344, USA, on the other hand, hereinafter referred to
    as "CIMA".

CIMA and Organon may hereinafter be referred to as "Party", or collectively as
"Parties".

WITNESSETH THAT:

CIMA has developed and owns or has rights to certain patented oral drug-delivery
technology referred to as Orasolv(R) which has applications in the field of
pharmaceutical product formulation;

Organon International A.G. and N.V. Organon own the rights for respectively the
USA and Canada at the one hand and the rest of

<PAGE>   2

                                       2

the world on the other hand to a compound, known as Org. 3770 (mirtazapine;
defined as Substance in this Agreement) and marketed under the tradename (among
others) Remeron;

On December 2, 1998, CIMA and N.V. Organon, the latter acting on behalf of
Organon International A.G., entered into a Development and License Option
Agreement under which prototypes of certain pharmaceutical product formulations
were developed by CIMA for N.V. Organon's evaluation subject to the granting of
an option to enter into a license agreement with CIMA;

The conclusion of a Toll Manufacturing Agreement within six (6) months after the
Effective Date regarding the manufacturing of the Product as defined in this
License Agreement is a condition for this License Agreement.

CIMA desires to enter into such a license agreement with Organon.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreement as
set forth herein, the Parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS

Whenever used in this Agreement, unless otherwise clearly required by the
context, the following terms shall have the meaning as defined hereinafter (in
alphabetical order) and shall include both the single and the plural.

1.1      The term "Affiliated Company" shall mean any company which by means of
         a majority of shares or otherwise, either directly or indirectly,
         controls, is controlled by or is under common control with either Party
         hereto.

1.2      The term "Effective Date" shall mean the date first  written above.

1.3      The term "Product" shall mean a tablet for the treatment of depression

<PAGE>   3

                                       3

         manufactured using the technology of CIMA commonly known as
         Orasolv(R) as patented by the Patents as described in Exhibit I
         hereof, containing the Substance as the active ingredient and
         adapted to disperse in the mouth of a human adult, which tablet
         incorporates the Substance together with a matrix or coating in
         microparticles or microcapsules which provide essentially complete
         release of the Substance into the gastrointestinal tract in a period
         of less than one hour after dissolution of the tablet.

1.4      The term "Know-How" shall mean and include any and all data,
         information and any experience or other data, in possession of CIMA,
         relating to the Product, including Manufacturing Know How.

1.5      The term "Manufacturing Know-How" shall mean and include any and all
         data, information and any experience or other data, in the possession
         of CIMA which is necessary for Organon to effectively and efficiently
         manufacture the Product.

1.6      The term "Net Sales" shall mean the total revenue from commercial sales
         received by Organon, its Affiliated Companies and/or (sub)licensee(s)
         from the sale to independent third parties of the Product subject to
         royalties hereunder less the following amounts:
         (i) discounts, including cash and quantity discounts, trade allowances
         or rebates actually allowed or granted,
         (ii) credits or allowances actually granted upon claims or returns,
         regardless of the party requesting the return,
         (iii) separately itemized freight charges paid for delivery (freight,
         postage, shipping)
         (iv) insurance costs,
         (v) taxes or other governmental charges levied on or measured by the
         invoiced amount and included in the invoice, whether absorbed by
         Organon or the third party (other than franchise or income taxes on the
         income of the selling party)
         (vi) amounts prepaid or credited on account of rejections, expired
         dating on return of Products.
<PAGE>   4

                                       4

1.7      The term "Patents" shall mean the patents, and patent applications (and
         any patents issuing on such applications) listed in Exhibit I hereto
         and any divisional, continuation and continuation-in-part applications
         thereof, reissues, reexaminations, substitutions, additions and any
         extensions to such patents as well as foreign counterparts thereof.

1.8      The term "Cima-Patents" shall mean the Patents excluding US patent nr.
         5,225, 197 d.d. July 6, 1993, and corresponding patents in other
         countries.

1.9      The term "Registration Dossiers" shall mean and include dossiers filed
         by Organon in the Territory with the relevant government institutions
         for the purpose of obtaining marketing approval for the Product in the
         name of Organon or its Affiliated Companies.

1.10     The term "Stability Batches" shall mean a total of five pilot scale GMP
         production batches, comprising two batches of 15 mg Substance
         Orasolv(R) tablets, one batch of 30 mg Substance Orasolv(R) tablets and
         two batches of 45 mg Substance Orasolv(R) tablets. The batch numbers
         are respectively: 990017, 990018, 990019, 990020 and 990021.

1.11     The term "Substance" shall mean mirtazapine and/or its salts and/or its
         enantiomers.

1.12     The term "Territory" shall mean the whole world.

1.13     The term "Toll Manufacturing Agreement" shall mean the Toll
         Manufacturing Agreement referred to in the preamble hereof.

1.14     The term "Validation Batches" shall mean a total of three full scale
         GMP production batches of 525 kilograms each, comprising one batch of
         15 mg, 30 mg and 45 mg Substance Orasolv(R) tablets, respectively.

1.15     The term "Patent Country" means a country in which one or more Patents
         covering the Product and/or its method of manufacture are in force and
         have not expired, been
<PAGE>   5

                                       5

         nullified or revoked.

1.16     The term "Non-Patent Country" means a country other than a Patent
         Country.

1.17     The term "Patent Country Sale" means a sale of Product in which the
         Product is transferred within a Patent Country; from a Patent Country
         to a Non-Patent Country; or from a Non-Patent Country to a Patent
         Country.

1.18     The term "Non-Patent Country Sale" means a sale of product other than a
         Patent Country Sale.

ARTICLE 2 GRANT OF LICENSES

2.1      CIMA hereby grants to Organon (a) an exclusive license under the
         Know-How and the Cima-Patents regarding the Product, during the term of
         this Agreement, to use, sell, offer to sell or otherwise distribute the
         Product in the Territory and (b) an exclusive license under the
         Manufacturing Know-How and the CIMA-Patents to make a Product, have the
         Product made, solely under Organon's right to the extent permitted to
         self-supply in the Toll Manufacturing Agreement and (c) a non-exclusive
         license under US Patent 5,225, 197 and corresponding patents in foreign
         countries to make, have made, sell, use, or offer for sale or otherwise
         distribute the Product in the Territory.

2.2      Organon has the right to sub-license the rights granted to it under
         Section 2.1(a) to an Affiliated Company of Organon and/or a Non
         Affiliated Company of Organon for the purposes of marketing or
         distributing the Product. In case such a right is granted to a Non
         Affiliated Company of Organon, CIMA shall be notified by Organon.
         Organon has the right to sub-license the rights granted to it under
         Section 2.1(b) to an Affiliated Company of Organon, and CIMA retains
         the right to make the Product for Organon under the Toll Manufacturing
         Agreement. Sales will be recorded as "Net Sales" for purposes of
         royalty calculations.

2.3      Organon covenants that any third party to which it may sub-license
         certain rights hereunder as well as any third party

<PAGE>   6

                                        6

         distributor entrusted by Organon with the physical distribution of
         the Product, will be bound by the terms and conditions of this
         Agreement.

ARTICLE 3 TRANSFER OF MANUFACTURING KNOW-HOW

3.1      In the event Organon decides to manufacture certain of its requirements
         of the Product itself or have the Product manufactured by its
         Affiliated Companies a third party shall be designated by Organon
         subject to CIMA's written consent which shall not be unreasonably
         withheld or delayed. Written notice must occur six months in advance of
         the manufacturing Know-How Transfer. CIMA shall collaborate with
         Organon to transfer to Organon all Manufacturing Know-How as further
         described in the Toll Manufacturing Agreement. The technology transfer
         fee for transfer of Know-How is addressed in the Toll Manufacturing
         Agreement.

3.2      Upon the request of Organon, CIMA shall make available personnel to
         assist Organon or the third parties designated by Organon in starting
         up the manufacture of the Product as further described in the Toll
         Manufacturing Agreement.

3.3.     Organon warrants that the elected third party shall comply with the
         confidentiality clause of Article 4 hereof.

ARTICLE 4 CONFIDENTIALITY

4.1      It is understood and agreed by Organon, that all Know-How and other
         information and data disclosed by CIMA to Organon under this Agreement
         and/or under the Toll Manufacturing Agreement is and shall remain the
         exclusive property of CIMA. It is acknowledged by Organon that the
         Know-How and other information and data are only disclosed to Organon
         for the purposes and use described in this Agreement and that they are
         to be regarded as trade secrets containing unpublished results of
         private research and experience which are used in CIMA's business and
         which are of a nature customarily held in strict confidence and
         regarded as privileged knowledge; consequently any disclosure by
         Organon of Know-How information and data in violation of the obligation
         of this paragraph will harm and damage CIMA's

<PAGE>   7

                                       7

         legitimate business interests. Organon hereby undertakes to keep
         secret and confidential the know-How and above mentioned information
         and data during the term of this Agreement as well as thereafter and
         not to disclose the Know-How, information and data to any third
         party, person, government institution other than those referred to
         in Article 5, or Affiliated Company of Organon, or third party
         designated by Organon in compliance with Article 3, having a need to
         know such information and agreeing to comply with the terms of this
         Article 4, without CIMA's prior written approval and not to use it
         for any other use or purpose than those described in this Agreement.

4.2      The obligations described in paragraph 4.1 above shall not be
         applicable to any part of the Know-How or other information and data
         disclosed by CIMA under this Agreement which:
         - at the moment of disclosure, is general (public) knowledge;
         - after disclosure, through no fault of Organon or the government
           institution referred to in article 5, becomes general
           (public) knowledge;
         - properly and lawfully becomes available to Organon, from sources
           not bound to CIMA by a secrecy obligation, provided this can be
           adequately substantiated.

4.3      Organon will use the Product and the Know-How and other information and
         data of CIMA solely for the purposes specified in this Agreement and
         for no other purpose. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement
         Organon hereby undertakes, upon such request from CIMA, to promptly
         return all documentation received from CIMA on which the Know-How is
         displayed and/or described and not to retain any copy or photocopy of
         such documentation and to stop any further use or disclosure of CIMA's
         Know-How and/or other information and data as referred to in paragraph
         4.1 above, except one copy of all documents or other written material
         containing confidential information-to be kept in the files of its law
         department provided that reasonable measures are taken to limit access
         to such files- for the sole purpose of resolving future disputes
         concerning this Agreement.

<PAGE>   8

                                       8

ARTICLE 5 REGISTRATION AND MARKETING APPROVAL

Organon shall use its reasonable best efforts to have the registrations and
marketing approval for the Product in the Territory granted as soon as possible.
All expenses and fees in connection with the application and maintaining of the
registrations and marketing approval by Organon in the Territory shall be for
account of Organon. Organon shall own all registrations and marketing approvals
of the Product.

ARTICLE 6 PRICE APPROVAL

At the same time as the application for marketing approval, Organon shall file
with the relevant government institution an application for price approval for
the Product.

ARTICLE 7 PROMOTION

Organon shall use its reasonable best efforts to successfully commercialize the
Product within the Territory and agrees to use such reasonable best efforts in
particular to successfully promote the Product in the Territory. The amount of
effort to be applied to each region of the Territory is to Organon's discretion.

ARTICLE 8 PURCHASE AND SUPPLY OF PRODUCTS

The terms of the manufacture and supply of the Product will be contained in the
Toll Manufacturing Agreement.

ARTICLE 9 CONSIDERATION

9.1      In consideration of the rights granted to Organon under article 2,
         Organon shall pay CIMA[***CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED, PORTION
         OMITTED FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
         COMMISSION.***] within 14 days after execution of this Agreement.
         Furthermore, the following milestone payments shall be made by Organon
         to CIMA:

<PAGE>   9

                                       9

         (i)  [***CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED, PORTION OMITTED FILED
         SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.***]upon
         completion of the Stability Batches;

         (ii) [***CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED, PORTION OMITTED FILED
         SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.***]upon
         completion of the Validation Batches;

         (iii)[***CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED, PORTION OMITTED FILED
         SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.***]upon first
         regulatory acceptance by a regulatory authority of the Registration
         Dossier of a Product for review for obtaining registration;

         (iv) [***CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED, PORTION OMITTED FILED
         SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.***]upon
         successful registration of the first Product in the United States;

         (v) [***CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED, PORTION OMITTED FILED
         SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.***]upon
         successful registration of the first Product in any country belonging
         to the European Union.

         For clarity of understanding the payments referred to in this Article
         9.1 shall each be payable only once such that the maximum aggregate
         payment will be US$3,000,000 (three million United States Dollars)
         irrespective of the number of Product commercialized.

         Organon may take as a credit against royalties payable to CIMA under
         Section 9.2 [***CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED, PORTION OMITTED FILED
         SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.***]in respect
         of each of the first five calendar years during which Net Sales of the
         Product amount to more than[***CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED,
         PORTION OMITTED FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
         COMMISSION.***]This credit shall be made to Organon by
         crediting[***CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED, PORTION OMITTED FILED
         SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.***]against the
         royalties payable by it to CIMA

<PAGE>   10

                                       10

         for each of the four calendar quarters during the year following the
         Qualifying Year.

         For any other indication of the Product other than the treatment
         of depression Organon and CIMA shall agree separately as to the
         reimbursement of any development costs, royalty percentages and
         milestone costs for that indication.

9.2      As a further compensation for granting such rights to Organon, Organon
         shall pay the royalties to CIMA as described in Exhibit II. Any and all
         royalty payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be based upon Net
         Sales.

         As further compensation for granting such rights to Organon, Organon
         shall pay to CIMA royalties as follows: with respect to any Patent
         Country sale, the amount of royalties due shall be the full royalties
         set forth in Exhibit 2 hereof. With respect to any Non-Patent Country
         Sale, the royalty shall be[***CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED, PORTION
         OMITTED FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
         COMMISSION.***]of the amount set forth in Exhibit 2, provided that
         Organon's obligation to pay royalties on Non-Patent Country Sales to
         purchasers in each Non-Patent Country shall terminate five (5) years
         after Organon first makes a bonafide, commercial scale Non-Patent
         Country Sale to a purchaser in that country; Organon shall be granted a
         royalty free license after those five years.  In calculating the
         amounts of royalties due hereunder, all sales made by Organon and/or
         its licensee during each calendar year, including Patent Country sales,
         Non-Patent Country Sales upon which royalties are due and Non-Patent
         Country sales upon which no royalties are due shall be aggregated.

9.3      For the purpose of determining the royalties under paragraph 9.1 and/or
         9.2, Organon shall render CIMA within sixty (60) days after the end of
         each calendar quarter

<PAGE>   11

                                       11

         an accounting of the Net Sales during that calendar quarter by country,
         and shall accompany such accounting with its payment, if any such
         payment is due hereunder, for the calendar quarter. The currency
         conversion from local currencies into U.S. dollars for the purpose of
         this agreement will be carried out using the currency exchange rate
         published in the Wall Street Journal on the last working day of each
         calendar quarter. Organon will inform CIMA of the amount payable and
         CIMA will invoice them for that amount. Organon will include with each
         payment a breakdown of actual Net Sales which is the basis for the
         calculation of the payment.

9.4      Organon shall keep accurate and adequate records with respect to Net
         Sales subject to royalty hereunder. Organon shall permit from time to
         time during the term of this Agreement and one (1) year after its
         termination or expiration, upon reasonable request by CIMA a certified
         public accountant acceptable to Organon to examine said records, shall
         provide any information reasonably requested to explain the records,
         and shall permit the accountant to make copies or extracts from such
         records to the extent necessary to verify the accuracy thereof.

9.5      Organon's royalty payment obligations will cease to accrue upon the
         expiration or termination of this Agreement subject to the terms of,
         Article 12 below. Expiration of this agreement shall not affect
         Organon's obligation to pay royalties with respect to sales made prior
         to such expiration or termination.

9.6      Payments due shall be made within 30 days after receipt of the
         relevant invoices.

ARTICLE 10. MAINTENANCE OF PATENT, INFRINGEMENT

10.1     CIMA shall at its own discretion prosecute any of its applications for
         CIMA-Patents and shall pursue the application, defense, prosecution,
         maintenance and all other handling of the CIMA-Patents. CIMA shall
         provide Organon with copies of all material patenting documents and
         shall respond to any inquiries of Organon regarding the CIMA-
<PAGE>   12
                                       12

         Patents which may be relevant to Organon. CIMA shall give consideration
         to any reasonable recommendations and/or requests by Organon.

10.2     CIMA may at its sole discretion decide whether it wishes to maintain
         any of the granted Patents or any patent application and nothing
         contained herein shall or may be construed as an obligation to CIMA to
         maintain any such granted Patents or pursue any such pending patent
         applications. In the event that CIMA wishes to abandon any of the
         Patents, it shall notify Organon of such decision not less than sixty
         (60) days prior to the date of such abandonment becomes irrevocable and
         CIMA shall consider any opinions or comments of Organon concerning such
         abandonment.

10.3     Organon's obligation to pay royalties for Know-How on Net Sales of
         Products shall for countries for which CIMA abandoned the Patents
         continue at[***CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED, PORTION OMITTED FILED
         SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.***] of the
         royalty rate.

10.4     Organon shall have the right but not the obligation to seek extensions
         of terms of Patents and to seek to obtain Supplementary Protection
         Certificates in relation to the Products. At Organon's request CIMA
         shall authorize Organon to act as CIMA's agent for the purpose of
         making any application for any extension of the term of the patents or
         for attainment of Supplementary Protection Certificates in relation to
         the Products and, at Organon's request, CIMA shall provide reasonable
         assistance thereof to Organon at Organon's expense.

10.5     CIMA shall inform Organon from time to time about the institution or
         possible institution of any interference, opposition, re-examination,
         re-issue, revocation, nullification or any other official proceeding
         involving a Patent anywhere in the Territory. CIMA agrees to keep
         Organon at Organon's request informed of the course of patent
         prosecution or other proceedings by providing Organon with copies of
         substantive communications, search reports and third party observations
         submitted to or received from patent offices throughout the territory.
         CIMA shall provide

<PAGE>   13

                                       13

         such patent consultation to Organon at no cost to Organon. Organon
         shall hold all information disclosed to it under this section as
         confidential.

10.6     Each party shall give written notice of any suspected infringement of
         the Patent Rights regarding the Product to the other party within 30
         (thirty) days of their receipt of notification. Within 4 (four) weeks
         of such notice, parties' patent and/or legal counsel shall consult on
         the strategy to be pursued with respect to the infringement. In such
         event, Articles 10.7 to 10.10 shall apply.

10.7     CIMA shall be responsible for taking any legal action against the
         infringer and the costs thereof and shall regularly consult with
         Organon during the pursuance thereof. CIMA shall seek the written
         consent of Organon for any proposed settlement with any infringing
         party, provided however that CIMA may settle such action without
         consent of Organon if such settlement includes a cessation of the
         infringing activity regarding the Product. Organon shall not withhold
         any such consent unreasonably, it being understood that to the extent
         such settlement adversely impacts the benefits to Organon under the
         licenses granted hereunder, such licenses will be modified as
         appropriate to compensate Organon.

10.8     If CIMA does not diligently address any infringement regarding the
         Product within thirty (30) days of receipt of Organon's notice thereof
         or if CIMA fails to notify Organon of any discovered infringement
         regarding the Product within thirty (30) days of discovery, Organon
         will have the right to prosecute such infringement at the expense of
         CIMA, following notification to CIMA of its intent and inaction by CIMA
         within 30 (thirty) days of such notification. Any costs and expenses
         made by Organon with respect thereto may be offset against quarterly
         royalties otherwise owing to CIMA in the country where the infringement
         took place. The charge to CIMA will be billed against royalties in four
         quarterly payments. Organon shall have the right to settle, and CIMA
         shall execute any settlement documents as necessary, such action
         without consent of CIMA if such settlement includes a cessation of the
         infringing activity or provides for a sub-

<PAGE>   14

                                       14

         license within the Field and provided such settlement can not
         reasonably be expected to impact the validity of the Patent Rights;
         otherwise Organon may settle only with the consent of CIMA which
         consent may not be unreasonably withheld. CIMA shall cooperate in
         such action with Organon and will at the request and for the account
         of Organon, join in such action if such is formally necessary in
         order to avoid dismissal.

10.9     The non-controlling party shall have the right to participate in such
         action with its own counsel and at its own expense and the
         non-controlling party shall render all assistance reasonably required
         by the controlling party.

10.10    Any recovery from such action contemplated in 10.8 and 10.9 above
         except the expenses of counsel shall be applied first to the costs and
         expenses of the parties. The remainder of recoveries shall be
         distributed as follows:
         a)  CIMA shall be compensated first for loss of royalty income over
             Net Sales of Products by Organon if and to the extent that
             Organon has withheld royalty payments pursuant to Article 10.3
             above;
         b)  the remaining balance of the recoveries shall be for Organon.

10.11    In all cases of infringement of the Patent Rights other than foreseen
         in paragraph 10.6 above, CIMA shall have the sole and exclusive right
         to prosecute, control and settle such an action. The cost of such
         action shall be borne solely by CIMA and the recovery from such action
         shall belong solely to CIMA.

10.12    Organon will mark the Product with the proper legend concerning patent
         coverage in accordance with the laws of each country where the patent
         marking is required.

ARTICLE 11 WARRANTIES

11.1     CIMA warrants that:

         a)  CIMA is a corporation duly organized, duly existing and in
             good standing under the laws of the State of

<PAGE>   15
                                       15

             Delaware in the United States of America, with full right, power
             and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to
             grant all of the rights, powers and authorities herein granted;

         b)  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do
             not conflict with, violate or breach any agreement to which
             CIMA is a party, or CIMA's articles of incorporation or bylaws;

         c)  CIMA has sufficient rights in the Know-How and the Patents to grant
             to Organon the rights set forth in Section 2.1. To the knowledge of
             CIMA the execution of the provisions of this Agreement does not
             infringe in any third parties proprietary rights.

         d)  CIMA agrees to indemnify Organon against any claim from any third
             party regarding any infringement by the Product or the process used
             to make the Product of third parties' US patents rights valid on
             the Effective Date. CIMA shall have the right to control the
             defense of any such claim provided that CIMA will not settle any
             such claim on terms requiring discontinuance of the Product without
             consent of Organon, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
             Nevertheless, Organon shall perform research regarding the Product
             for possible conflicts with third parties proprietary rights valid
             in Europe. Such research shall be terminated within three (3)
             months after Effective Date. Organon shall assess the results of
             such research, and shall decide whether the results are
             satisfactory. An unsatisfactory result from such research shall be
             a condition to this Agreement. Any and all actions performed under
             this Agreement shall than be reversed.

11.2     Organon warrants that:

         a)  The companies herein defined as Organon are corporations duly
             organized, existing and in good standing under the laws of
             Switzerland and/or the Netherlands, with full right, power and
             authority to

<PAGE>   16

                                       16

             enter into and perform this Agreement and to grant all of the
             rights, powers and authorities herein granted;

         b)  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do
             not conflict with, violate or breach any agreement to which
             Organon is a party, or the articles of incorporation or by
             laws of any of the companies defined herein as Organon;

         c)  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Organon and
             is a legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable against
             Organon in accordance with its terms.

ARTICLE 12 DURATION

12.1     This Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date and
         shall expire upon the expiration of the last Patent covering the
         Product.

12.2     Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs, this Agreement may be
         terminated forthwith by registered mail or overnight courier:

         a)    by either Party in the event the other Party shall materially
               breach any of its obligations under this Agreement and shall fail
               to remedy such breach within ninety (90) days from receipt of
               written notice of such breach by the Party not in default; or

         b)    by either Party in the event of the other Party's liquidation,
               bankruptcy or state of insolvency; or

         c)    By either Party in case the other Party assigns this Agreement in
               whole or in part to any third party or sells a substantial part
               of its business to any third party or in the event there is a
               substantial change in the identity of that other Parties present
               management or shareholders without the prior written consent of
               the other Party.

<PAGE>   17
                                       17

         d)    By CIMA if the Toll Manufacturing Agreement has not been signed
               within (12) twelve months after the signing of this Agreement.

12.3     Articles Confidentiality, Indemnification, Miscellaneous and 15.1 shall
         survive termination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 13 INDEMNIFICATION

13.1.    CIMA will indemnify and hold Organon and Organon's Affiliated Companies
         harmless from and against all claims, suits and proceedings, and all
         damages, losses, costs, recoveries and expenses, including reasonable
         legal expenses and costs (including attorneys' fees) that Organon or
         Organon's Affiliated Companies may incur, arising out of any third
         party's claim of property damage or personal injury or death arising
         from the use of the Product or CIMA's negligent or willful misconduct
         in its performance of this Agreement or any breach of a representation
         or warranty given herein by CIMA. However, CIMA will in no event be
         liable for any such claims, damages, losses, costs or expenses to the
         extent they arise out of or result from materials, including the
         Substance, supplied by Organon to CIMA, or from Organon's or Organon's
         Affiliated Companies' negligence or willful misconduct.

13.2.    Organon will indemnify and hold CIMA and CIMA's Affiliated Companies
         harmless from and against all claims, suits and proceedings, and all
         damages, losses, costs, recoveries and expenses, including reasonable
         legal expenses and costs (including attorneys' fees) that CIMA or
         CIMA's Affiliated Companies may incur, arising out of any third party's
         claim of property damage or personal injury or death arising from use
         of the Product to the extent that such liability results from Organon's
         or Organon's Affiliated Companies' negligent or willful misconduct in
         its performance of this Agreement or any breach of a representation or
         warranty given herein by Organon. However, Organon will in no event be
         liable for any such claims, damages, losses, costs or expenses to the
         extent they arise out of or result from materials supplied by CIMA to
         Organon, or from CIMA's or CIMA's Affiliated Companies' negligence or
         willful misconduct.

<PAGE>   18

                                       18

13.3.    In the event any third party asserts a claim covered by Sections 13.1
         or 13.2, the indemnified party will give prompt notice to the
         indemnifying party, who may, at its election, handle and control the
         defense or settlement of the claim at its own expense by giving prompt
         notice to the indemnified party. However, the indemnifying party will
         not settle any such claim without the indemnified party's prior written
         consent, which will not be unreasonably withheld. If the indemnifying
         party does not give such notice and does not proceed diligently to
         defend the claim within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice, the
         indemnifying party will be bound by any defense or settlement that the
         indemnified party may make as to that claim and will reimburse the
         indemnified party for any expenses related to the defense or settlement
         of the claim. The parties will cooperate in defending against any
         asserted third-party claims. Indemnification of the indemnified party
         will also cover the indemnified party's directors, officers, employees,
         agents, Affiliated Companies, and third parties performing services for
         the indemnified party.

ARTICLE 14 APPLICABLE LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

14.1     The validity, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be
         governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
         Delaware.

14.2     The Parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve promptly any dispute
         arising out of or relating to this Agreement by negotiation. If the
         matter can not be resolved in the normal course of business any
         interested Party shall give the other Party written notice of any such
         dispute not resolved, after which the dispute shall be referred to more
         senior executives of both Parties, who shall likewise attempt to
         resolve the dispute.

14.4     If the dispute has not been resolved by non-binding means as provided
         in paragraph 14.3 above within forty-five (45) days of the initiation
         of such procedure, the dispute shall be finally and exclusively settled
         by arbitration by three independent arbitrators in Minneapolis,
         Minnesota under the Uncitral Arbitration Rules. Each party shall select
         one

<PAGE>   19

                                       19

         arbitrator, and those two arbitrators shall appoint the third by
         mutual agreement and in accordance with the Uncitral Arbitration Rules.
         The appointing authority shall be The London Court of International
         Arbitration in London, England. The language of the arbitration shall
         be English. The arbitration shall be in lieu of any other remedy and
         the award shall be final, binding and enforceable by any court having
         jurisdiction for that purpose. The Parties further agree that the
         arbitrators are not authorized to award punitive damages in connection
         with any controversy or claim settled by arbitration.

14.5     This Article shall, however, not be construed to limit or to preclude
         either Party from bringing any action in any court of competent
         jurisdiction for injunctive or other provisional relief as necessary or
         appropriate.

<PAGE>   20
                                       20

ARTICLE 15 NON CONCURRENCE AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS

15.1     In case CIMA develops new fast dissolve technologies for formulations
         of Product that could contain the Substance, CIMA will grant Organon
         the right, for a period of one year after CIMA makes any such new
         technology commercially available, to obtain an exclusive license on
         such technologies to manufacture, use and sell Product containing the
         Substance in the Territory. CIMA shall offer such license to Organon at
         least at the same terms or terms not less favorable than those offered
         to third parties based on royalty, at development-, milestone and
         license fees.

15.2     In the event that any invention is made jointly by employees of CIMA
         and Organon ("Joint Invention") in the course of any research conducted
         pursuant to this Agreement, or in the course of research using any of
         the Prototypes supplied under the License Option Agreement, then the
         following shall apply: Any Joint Invention which is applicable to
         product containing active ingredients other than the Substance shall be
         owned by CIMA, but Organon shall have an exclusive, worldwide,
         royalty-free license to use such invention in connection with products
         containing the Substance as the sole active ingredient. Any Joint
         Invention which is applicable only to products containing only the
         Substance shall be owned by Organon. Any invention made by employees of
         CIMA which is applicable to products containing only the Substance and
         does not include fast-dissolve technology shall be owned by Organon.
         The party owning any invention pursuant to this Agreement (the "Owner")
         shall have the right, but not the obligation, to obtain patents and
         other forms of protection for such invention at its own expense, and
         the other party hereto shall cooperate with the owner in obtaining such
         protection as requested by the Owner. The Owner shall reimburse the
         other party hereto for reasonable expenses and reasonable charges for
         staff time devoted to such cooperation. If the party does not exercise
         its right to obtain patent protection, it shall enable the other party
         to get such protection. The ownership and licenses granted under this
         section doe not include any license or right

<PAGE>   21

                                       21

         under any other patent, technology, trade secrets, know-how or other
         Confidential Information owned or licensed by either party hereto.

15.3     If, during the term of this Agreement, Organon discovers that the
         combination of Substance and a fast-dissolving dosage form has an
         effect outside the field of depression, then Organon will own the
         rights to such use but will not commercialize such a combination
         outside the range of the Product without either (a) using Orasolv(R) or
         another fast-dosage dosage form owned by CIMA, provided that the rights
         to such fast-dissolve technology of CIMA are available to be licensed
         for that indication of the Product other than depression, or (b) paying
         to CIMA a fee of[***CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED, PORTION OMITTED
         FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.***].

ARTICLE 16 MISCELLANEOUS

16.1     Publicity. Except as may be required by law or regulatory authorities,
         neither party shall release or generate any publicity concerning the
         transactions contemplated hereunder without the express consent of the
         other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or
         delayed. A press release announcing this Agreement is attached as
         Exhibit III. The term "publicity" shall not include responses to press
         or trade inquiries or internal communications by either party directly
         or solely to its employees, provided, that such responses or
         communications do not describe the specific terms of the transactions
         contemplated hereunder in substantially greater detail than contained
         in a description of the transactions agreed to by both parties, and
         provided further, that each party will be free to provide employees
         with information required in the performance of their duties. Any party
         that determines applicable securities laws require it to file this
         Agreement shall first provide the other party a copy of the redacted
         version it intends to file and shall provide the other party

<PAGE>   22

                                       22

         the opportunity to comment thereon. Nonetheless the filing party will
         make the final decision regarding the version to file, based on the
         advice of its counsel.

16.2     Headings. All headings of the Articles and Paragraphs of this Agreement
         are added to those Articles and Paragraphs for the purpose of
         convenience only and the contents and meaning of such headings shall in
         no way limit the meaning and applicability of the relevant Articles and
         Paragraphs.

16.3     Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Development and License Option
         Agreement and the Toll Manufacturing Agreement constitute the entire
         agreement between the Parties and annuls and replaces any other
         agreement or understanding whether written or oral which may have
         existed between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
         All schedules and Exhibits referred to form an integral part of this
         Agreement. this Agreement can be modified or amended and rights under
         this Agreement waived only in writing signed by the Party to be
         charged.

16.4     No Assignment. Organon shall not assign or otherwise transfer this
         Agreement or any part thereof to any third party, without the written
         consent of CIMA.

16.5     Binding upon Successors. This Agreement shall bind and benefit the
         Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

16.6     Notices. All notices in connection with this Agreement shall be in
         writing and be in the English language (as shall all other written
         communications and correspondence) and may be given by personal
         delivery, prepaid registered airmail letter, telegram or telefax,
         addressed to the Party required or entitled to receive same at its
         address set forth below, or to such other address as it shall later
         designate by like notice to the other Party. Notice of termination of
         this Agreement if given by telegram or telefax, shall be confirmed by
         prepaid registered airmail letter dated and posted the same day. The
         effective date of any notice if served by telegram, telex or telefax
         shall be deemed the first business day in the city of destination
         following the

<PAGE>   23

                                       23

         dispatch thereof and if given by prepaid registered airmail letter
         only, it shall unless earlier received, be deemed served not later than
         seven (7) days after date of posting.

         Notice to Organon shall be to:
         Organon International AG
         Switzerland
         Telefax: + 41 55 4151998
         Attention: General Manager

         with a copy to:
         N.V. Organon
         PO Box 20
         5340 BH OSS
         The Netherlands
         Telefax: 31 412 646923
         Attention: President

         Notice to CIMA shall be to:
         CIMA Labs Inc.
         + 1 612 947 8770
         Attention: President

16.7     Severability. All stipulations contained in this Agreement shall be so
         construed as not to infringe any provision of any law prevailing to
         this Agreement. To the extent that, and only to the extent that, any
         stipulation does infringe any such provisions, said stipulation shall
         be deemed void and shall be replaced by a stipulation in such a way as
         in accordance with the prevailing law is possible and in such a way as
         will be the least prejudicable to the interest of either Party. The
         infringement of any provision by a stipulation shall not affect the
         validity of any other stipulation of this Agreement.

16.8     Independent Contractors. The Parties are independent contractors and
         nothing in this Agreement shall imply any principal or agent
         relationship or other joint relationship and neither Party shall have
         the power or authority, either express or implied, to obligate the
         other Party.

<PAGE>   24

                                       24

16.9     Language. This Agreement is written in the English language and
         executed in two (2) counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
         original. The English language text of this Agreement shall prevail
         over any translation thereof.

16.10    No Waiver. Failure of either party to insist upon the strict and
         punctual performance of any provision of this Agreement shall not
         constitute a waiver of, or estoppel against asserting the right to
         require such performance, nor should a waiver or estoppel in one case
         constitute a waiver or estoppel with respect to a later breach whether
         of similar nature or otherwise.

16.11    Back-up facility. 36 months after the Effective Date Manufacturer shall
         have provided for a back-up facility that will be available immediately
         when the manufacturing of the Product is for practical reasons of any
         kind no longer possible in the facility that is normally used to
         manufacture the product.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
in duplicate by their duly authorized representatives to be effective as of the
date first written above.

ORGANON INTERNATIONAL AG.           CIMA Labs Inc.

By   : /s/ T. Boerma                By   : /s/ John M. Siebert
Name : Mr. T. Boerm                 Name : John M. Siebert, Ph.D.
Title: General Manager              Title: President and CEO

By   : /s/ R. Hugli                 By   : ______________________
Name : Mr. R. Hugli                 Name : ______________________
Title: General Manager              Title: ______________________

N.V. ORGANON

By   : /s/ J. Lakeman
Name : Dr. J. Lakeman
Title: Managing Director International
           Production and Quality Affairs

By   : /s/ T.J. Kalff
Name : Drs. T.J. Kalff
Title: President

<PAGE>   25
                                      25

                               LIST OF EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT I       Patents and Patent Applications

EXHIBIT II      Royalty payments
<PAGE>   26
                                       26

                                LIST OF EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT I
Patents and Patent Applications

---------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------------
Country                               Patent /                  Filing/Issue
                               Application No.                          Date
---------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------------
US                                 5,178,878(1)             January 12, 1993
---------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------------
US                                 5,225,197(1)                 July 6, 1993 *
---------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------------
US                               S.N.230,738(2)               April 21, 1994
---------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------------
US                           S.N.601,042,566(2)                April 1, 1997
---------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------------
CAN                            S.N.2,061,917(2)            February 26, 1992
---------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------------
JAPAN                          S.N.2,514,500(2)           September 13, 1990
---------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------------
AUSTRALIA                            646,232(1)                 June 3, 1994
---------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------------
EUROPE                               494,972               November 27, 1996
---------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------------

(1) Issued Patents
(2) Pending Patent Applications
 *  Licensed Technology

<PAGE>   27
                                       27

     EXHIBIT II
     Royalty payments

     NET SALES PER PRODUCT (US$ IN MILLION) PER CALENDAR YEAR - YEARS 1
     THROUGH 5 (reflects potential give-back of $1 million)

<TABLE>
                       ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
<S>                     <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>
      GREATER THAN:               0           50           100           150           200           300          400      OVER 500
   LESS THAN EQUAL TO            50          100           150           200           300           400          500
                       ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
        ROYALTY %               ***          ***           ***           ***           ***           ***          ***           ***
                       ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
</TABLE>

     *** - [***CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED, PORTION OMITTED FILED
           SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.***]

     [***CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED, PORTION OMITTED FILED SEPARATELY WITH
     THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.***]

     NET SALES PER PRODUCT(US$ IN MILLION) PER CALENDAR YEAR - YEARS 6 THROUGH
     ALL PATENT EXPIRATIONS

<TABLE>
                       ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
<S>                     <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>
      GREATER THAN:               0           50           100           150           200           300          400      OVER 500
   LESS THAN EQUAL TO            50          100           150           200           300           400          500
                       ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
        ROYALTY %               ***          ***           ***           ***           ***           ***          ***           ***
                       ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
</TABLE>

     *** - [***CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED, PORTION OMITTED FILED
           SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.***]

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