Zila's ViziLite(R) Plus Now Covered by CIGNA Dental Insurance
March 13 2006 - 4:00PM
Business Wire
Zila, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZILA), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Zila
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., manufacturer and marketer of ViziLite(R)
Plus, has reached an agreement where CIGNA Dental, one of the
nation's leading dental insurance carriers, now covers the ViziLite
Plus exam in some of its plans. ViziLite Plus is the most advanced
technology in the marketplace for early detection of oral
abnormalities that could lead to cancer. "CIGNA believes that
screening is an important step in the early detection and treatment
of oral cancer and will ultimately save lives," said a spokesperson
for the CIGNA Dental Companies. CIGNA Dental meets the dental
coverage needs of more than 10.7 million members, and the employer
needs of more than one-third of all Fortune 100 companies. CIGNA
Dental members access care from one of the largest dental HMO and
dental PPO networks in the U.S., with more than 74,500 DPPO
dentists and 5,600 DHMO facilities with 24,900 DHMO dentists. "We
believe this is a watershed event in our goal to make ViziLite Plus
the standard of care nationwide. This agreement is a momentous
milestone for our ViziLite Plus product and for Zila's oral cancer
detection program as a whole," said Zila's Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Douglas D. Burkett. "CIGNA Dental's coverage of our ViziLite
Plus exam in some of its plans, coupled with the growing demand for
ViziLite Plus nationwide, validates the enormous potential of this
product and our pipeline of products for the early detection of
oral cancer. As early detection technologies like mammograms, Pap
smears, and PSAs have increased the survival rates over the years
for people with breast, cervical and prostate cancer, ViziLite Plus
is quickly establishing itself as THE early detection technology
for oral cancer, now the sixth deadliest cancer worldwide based on
survival rates." David Barshis, Vice President of Zila
Pharmaceuticals, noted, "All adults, especially those age 40 and
older, and patients with lifestyle risk factors such as tobacco use
or chronic alcohol consumption should have their dentist perform an
annual ViziLite Plus exam. The ViziLite Plus exam, cleared by the
FDA for use in individuals at an increased risk of oral cancer, is
easy to perform and takes only minutes." "There are several reasons
people don't get cancer screening," said Scottsdale, Arizona
dentist Paul Douglas. "They don't know about the exam, they think
it will hurt, they fear the results or they can't afford it.
Dentists are getting more involved in telling their patients about
oral cancer and associated risks. We're showing how quick and
simple the ViziLite Plus exam is. We're explaining the upside of
early detection. And now, with CIGNA coverage available, we're able
to provide the ViziLite Plus test, which normally costs around $65,
at no or just minimal added cost. One American dies every hour from
oral cancer. By putting a new light on this disease, maybe we can
conquer oral cancer." The ViziLite Plus exam is eligible for
reimbursement under CDT-5 procedure code D0431. Medical insurance
may also cover the ViziLite Plus exam. For more information, visit
http://www.vizilite.com/resources/reimb_info.asp. About Zila, Inc.
Zila, Inc., headquartered in Phoenix, is an innovator in
preventative healthcare technologies and products, focusing on
enhanced body defense and the detection of pre-disease states. Zila
has three business units: -- Zila Pharmaceuticals, marketer of
products to promote oral health and prevent oral disease, including
ViziLite(R) Plus oral examination kits and Peridex(R) prescription
periodontal rinse. -- Zila Biotechnology, a research, development
and licensing business specializing in pre-cancer/cancer detection
through its patented Zila(R) Tolonium Chloride and OraTest(R)
technologies. -- Zila Nutraceuticals, manufacturer and marketer of
Ester-C(R) and Ester-E(R), branded, highly effective forms of
Advanced Protection vitamins C and E. For more information about
Zila, visit www.zila.com. This press release contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based largely on
Zila's expectations or forecasts of future events, can be affected
by inaccurate assumptions and are subject to various business risks
and known and unknown uncertainties, a number of which are beyond
the Company's control. Therefore, actual results could differ
materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein. A
wide variety of factors could cause or contribute to such
differences and could adversely impact revenues, profitability,
cash flows and capital needs. There can be no assurance that the
forward-looking statements contained in this press release will, in
fact, transpire or prove to be accurate. For a more detailed
description of these and other cautionary factors that may affect
Zila's future results, please refer to Zila's Form 10-K for its
fiscal year ended July 31, 2005.
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