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.