ZILA Zila (MM)

PHOENIX, March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Zila Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a division of Zila, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZILA) and marketer of the ViziLite(R) Plus with TBlue630 system for the early detection of oral abnormalities that could lead to cancer, announced that The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) will offer coverage for ViziLite Plus exams. "We're seeing a steady expansion of insurance coverage for this potentially life-saving technology," said Frank Bellizzi, president of Zila Pharmaceuticals. "This reflects both the insurance industry's confidence in the value of the ViziLite Plus exam, and increasing use of the technology by dental practitioners. Coverage by Guardian moves ViziLite Plus exams that much closer to being recognized as the standard of care across the entire dental profession." In announcing their decision, Guardian emphasized the connection between oral health and overall health, noting that research links an unhealthy mouth to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, cancer, diabetes and preterm labor, among other serious conditions. Guardian, which has been at the forefront of promoting effective, affordable, preventive dental care, is one of the first benefits providers to offer nationwide ViziLite Plus coverage through a dental PPO network. Phoenix dentist and internationally recognized dental practice consultant Omer K. Reed, DDS, recommends administering a ViziLite Plus exam to every adult patient during annual visits. "Patients have welcomed this new screening procedure," he says. "They routinely express genuine appreciation, along with relief, when we tell them the exam indicates their oral tissue is healthy. On those occasions when we have discovered abnormalities, patients have thanked us wholeheartedly for helping to minimize ill effects and head off what could have been life-threatening disease. The growing availability of insurance coverage should eliminate what has been a minor obstacle to gaining patient approval for this important procedure." One American dies every hour of oral cancer, and while tobacco and alcohol use contribute to incidence, one quarter of all oral cancer cases occur in men and women with no risk behaviors. According to American Cancer Society data, nearly as many women will be diagnosed with oral cancer as with cervical cancer this year. The key to reducing the impact of this disease is early detection. The ViziLite Plus exam takes only minutes and is totally painless and non-invasive. "Ask your dentist for a ViziLite Plus oral cancer exam at your earliest opportunity," said Dr. Bellizzi. Information and a directory of ViziLite Plus dentists is available at http://www.vizilite.com/. About Guardian Founded in 1860, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY (Guardian) is one of the largest mutual life insurance companies in the United States. As of December 31, 2006, Guardian and its subsidiaries had $39.5 billion in assets (on a consolidated statutory basis). With more than 5,000 employees and 3,000 financial representatives, as well as more than 80 agencies nationwide, Guardian and its subsidiaries protect individuals, businesses, and their employees with life, disability, health, long-term care, and dental insurance products, and offer 401(k), annuities and other financial products and trust services. More information about Guardian can be obtained at: http://www.guardianlife.com/. About Zila, Inc. Zila, Inc., headquartered in Phoenix, is a leading oral cancer diagnostic company focused on the prevention and treatment of oral disease: Zila is dedicated to establishing ViziLite(R) Plus as the new standard of care for the early detection of oral abnormalities that could lead to cancer, with an initial focus on the dental market through Pro-Dentec(R), a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of Soft Tissue Management (STM(R)) products. Sold exclusively and directly to dental professionals, Pro-Dentec's core products include the Rota-dent(R) Professional Powered Brush, the Pro-Select3(R) Piezo- Ultrasonic Scaler System and a suite of pharmaceutical STM(R) products for both in-office and home-care use. Zila is also focused on achieving regulatory approval for the next generation oral cancer diagnostic, OraTest(R), followed by the development of additional applications of its cancer detection technologies. For more information about Zila, visit http://www.zila.com/. DATASOURCE: Zila Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CONTACT: Bill Sklar, +1-520-299-2830, , for Zila, Inc. Web site: http://www.guardianlife.com/ Web site: http://www.vizilite.com/ Web site: http://www.zila.com/

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