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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) February 1, 1996
ZILA, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-17521 86-0619668
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
5227 North 7th Street Phoenix, Arizona 85014
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (602) 266-6700
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
On February 1, 1996, Zila issued a press release, attached hereto
as an exhibit, announcing an agreement in which The Procter & Gamble Company
will market and distribute a new oral cancer diagnostic test, pending approvals
by regulatory agencies, for use by dental and medical professionals during
in-office visits.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
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Exhibit No. Description
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99 Press Release of the Company dated
February 1, 1996
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
ZILA, INC.
Date: February 1, 1996 By /s/ Joseph Hines
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Joseph Hines
President
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EXHIBIT 99
Zila and Procter & Gamble Sign Agreement on
New Oral Cancer Test for U.S. & 55 Other Countries
Phoenix (Feb. 1, 1996) -- Zila, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZILA) announced
an agreement in which The Procter & Gamble Company will market and distribute a
new oral cancer diagnostic test, pending approvals by regulatory agencies, for
use by dental and medical professionals during in-office visits. Terms were
not disclosed.
The new diagnostic test is patented and provides results
within several minutes. Persons at risk of oral cancer are primarily those 40
years of age and over, with a history of tobacco use and/or excessive alcohol
use.
In the doctor's office, a patient rinses with a special
solution which temporarily stains cancerous lesions a deep blue, making early
diagnosis of suspect lesions possible. Oral cancer is among the deadliest
forms of cancer, due to difficulty in detecting it early. Currently, health
professionals rely on visual examination and palpation with their fingertips to
detect oral cancer.
On average, the five-year survival rate for people with oral
cancer is approximately 50%. This figure drops to 16% when the disease is
diagnosed at advanced stages. With early detection, the survival rate for
people with oral cancer increases to 75%. This new diagnostic test also helps
pinpoint optimum sites for biopsy and surgery. This technology is an adjunct
to traditional head and neck exams conducted by health professionals.
Under the agreement, P&G now has the exclusive right to market
this new test in the U.S. and 55 other countries worldwide, pending needed
regulatory approvals. U.S. marketing clearance is being sought from the U.S.
Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
Joseph Hines, president of Zila, said, "This technology has
the potential to dramatically reduce the human and financial cost of oral
cancer in the U.S. and around the world. We have tremendous confidence in
P&G's ability to make this new test the standard of care worldwide. P&G is an
aggressive global leader in oral health care, with an outstanding track record
in developing and marketing innovative products. In addition, P&G's worldwide
capability to call on thousands of dental professionals and physicians makes
them a strong and valued partner."
As a result of this agreement, Hines said that Zila will focus
on accelerating growth in the company's non-prescription health care lines,
and on acquiring new products and technologies. Zila currently markets
Zilactin for canker sores; Zilactin-L for cold sores; Zilactin-B with the
topical anesthetic benzocaine for intraoral sores; Zilactin Lip medicated lip
balm; Quik Floss clinically-proven disposable flosser; and Extend Guard
toothbrush protection clip.
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P&G makes and markets prescription and over-the-counter
products in 60 countries. In addition to oral health, P&G's focus for
prescription drugs is in the cardiac, gastrointestinal, respiratory,
anti-infectives and bone health areas. In OTC health care, P&G's leading brands
include Vicks(R) cough/cold/flu and allergy products, Crest(R), Scope(R),
Metamucil(R), Pepto-Bismol(R) and Aleve(R).
P&G is also actively partnering with a range of leading
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to develop and market innovative
therapies. P&G had sales of $33 billion in fiscal 1994-95.
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