Exhibit 99.1


          Contact:    Columbia Laboratories, Inc.
                      James Apostolakis, Vice Chairman
                      (212) 588-1900
                      David Weinberg, Chief Financial Officer
                      (973) 994-3999

                      In-Site Communications, Inc.
                      Lisa Carlton-Wilson, Investor Relations/Media Relations
                      (212) 759-3929


          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                          COLUMBIA LABORATORIES, INC.
                     BOARD ADOPTS STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

          Livingston, NJ, -- March 15, 2002 - Columbia Laboratories, Inc. (AMEX:
          COB) today announced that its Board of Directors has adopted a
          Stockholder Rights Plan ("Rights Plan") designed to protect company
          stockholders in the event of takeover activity that would deny them
          the full value of their investment. The Rights Plan was not adopted in
          response to any specific effort to acquire control of the Company, and
          the Company is not aware of any such effort.

          In adopting the Rights Plan, the Board declared a dividend
          distribution of one preferred stock purchase right for each
          outstanding share of common stock of the Company, payable to
          stockholders of record at the close of business on March 22, 2002. The
          rights will become exercisable only in the event, with certain
          exceptions, a person or group of affiliated or associated persons
          acquires 15% or more of the Company's voting stock, or a person or
          group of


          affiliated or associated persons commences a tender or exchange offer,
          which if successfully consummated, would result in such person or
          group owning 15% or more of the Company's voting stock. The rights
          will expire on March 12, 2012.

          Each right, once exercisable, will entitle the holder (other than
          rights owned by an acquiring person or group) to buy one one-
          thousandth of a share of a series of the Company's Series D Junior
          Participating Preferred Stock at a price of $30 per one-thousandth of
          a share, subject to adjustments. In addition, upon the occurrence of
          certain events, holders of the rights (other than rights owned by an
          acquiring person or group) would be entitled to purchase either the
          Company's preferred stock or shares in an "acquiring entity" at
          approximately half of market value. Further, at any time after a
          person or group acquires 15% or more (but less than 50%) of the
          Company's outstanding voting stock, subject to certain exceptions, the
          Board of Directors may, at its option, exchange part or all of the
          rights (other than rights held by an acquiring person or group) for
          shares of the Company's common stock having a fair market value on the
          date of such acquisition equal to the excess of (i) the fair market
          value of preferred stock issuable upon exercise of the rights over
          (ii) the exercise price of the rights.

          The Company generally will be entitled to redeem the rights at $0.01
          per right at any time prior to the close of business on the tenth day
          after there has been a


          public announcement of the beneficial ownership by any person or group
          of 15% or more of the Company's voting stock, subject to certain
          exceptions.

          Fred Wilkinson, president and chief executive officer, said "The Board
          of Directors believes that the Rights Plan represents a sound and
          reasonable means of safeguarding the interests of stockholders. The
          Board did not adopt the Rights Plan in response to any specific
          takeover threat. Ultimately, the Rights Plan seeks to ensure that
          Columbia's stockholders realize the long-term value of their
          investment. Furthermore, the Rights Plan should encourage anyone
          seeking to acquire the Company to treat all stockholders equally and
          to negotiate with the Board prior to a takeover attempt."

          Details of the Rights Plan will be outlined in a letter to be mailed
          to stockholders on or about the record date of March 22, 2002.

          Columbia Laboratories, Inc. is a U.S.-based international
          pharmaceutical company dedicated to research and development of
          women's health care and endocrinology products, including those
          intended to treat infertility, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis and
          hormonal deficiencies. Columbia is also developing hormonal products
          for men and a buccal delivery system for peptides. Columbia's products
          primarily utilize the company's patented bioadhesive delivery
          technology.

          This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking
          statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of
          1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
          1934, as amended. Those statements include statements regarding the
          intent, belief or current expectations of the company and its
          management team. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking
          statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks
          and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from
          those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and
          uncertainties include, among other things, timely and successful
          completion of clinical studies, competitive economic and regulatory
          factors in the pharmaceutical and health care industry, the outcome of
          pending litigation, general economic conditions and other risks and
          uncertainties that may be detailed, from time-to-time, in Columbia's
          reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.