Zila Receives Approval to Launch ViziLite Plus in Canada
Zila, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZILA) today announced that it will begin its global expansion initiative with the distribution of ViziLite® Plus with TBlue630™ in Canada. The product will be launched at the Toronto Academy of Dentistry Winter Meeting on November 9, 2007.
“Today marks an important milestone for the organization, as we take the first step in our plan to make ViziLite Plus available throughout the world,” stated Dr. Frank J. Bellizzi, President of Zila Pharmaceuticals. “Oral cancer is a global problem, as evidenced by it being the 6th leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide — over 90% of the 400,000 reported cases annually occur outside the United States.”
ViziLite Plus is an oral screening technology that utilizes a chemiluminescent light source (ViziLite) and a patented pharmaceutical-grade vital tissue dye (TBlue630).
“ViziLite Plus helps dentists and hygienists identify oral abnormalities in a patient population at risk for oral cancer,” said Dr. Mark Bride D.D.S., Vice-President, Medical Affairs. “It is a proven technology, already used by thousands of dentists across the United States. A ViziLite Plus exam is entirely pain-free, takes only minutes, and should be a key part of every adult’s annual dental check-up.”
With a population of over 25 million adults, and an oral cancer incidence rate of 3,200 new cases per year, Canada represents a meaningful market opportunity that is approximately 10% that of the United States.
About Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is among the most deadly cancer types, largely owing to the fact that roughly two-thirds of all oral cancers are detected at advanced stage. Treatment for advanced cases often results in disfigurement and a significant decline in quality of life. National health organizations estimate there will be 3,200 new cases of oral cancer in Canada in 2007, and 1,100 deaths due to the disease. When oral cancer is detected early, survival rates are about 80%; detected late, the survival rate falls to 20%.
Who is at risk of oral cancer? The Canadian Cancer Society lists the following risk factors, but also notes that some people develop oral cancer without any of these factors:
• age — particularly after 50
• gender — more men develop oral cancer
• smoking — particularly if combined with heavy alcohol consumption
• chewing tobacco or using snuff
• heavy alcohol consumption — particularly if combined with smoking
• excessive sun exposure to the lips
• some medical problems in the mouth tissues
• chewing betel nut
A recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that exposure to the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus number 16 (HPV16), causes oropharyngeal cancer (a type of oral cancer), and may help explain the increasing incidence of the disease in younger people.
About Zila, Inc.
Zila, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to the prevention, detection and treatment of oral diseases, with a primary focus on oral cancer. ViziLite® Plus, the company’s flagship product, is rapidly enhancing the standard of care for the early detection of oral abnormalities that could lead to cancer. In addition, Zila designs, manufactures and markets a suite of proprietary products sold exclusively and directly to dental professionals for periodontal disease, including the Rota-dent® Professional Powered Brush, the Pro-Select® Platinum ultrasonic scaler and a portfolio of oral pharmaceutical products for both in-office and home-care use.
For more information about the company and its products, please visit www.zila.com.