Zila – Oral Cancer News

Efficacy of the ViziLite System in the identification of oral lesions

Source: Sciencedirect Author: Esther S. Oh DDS and Daniel M. Laskin DDS, MS Purpose Early detection of oral cancer is crucial in improving survival rate. To improve early detection, the use of a dilute acetic acid rinse and observation under a chemiluminescent light (ViziLite; Zila Pharmaceuticals, Phoenix, AZ) has been recommended. However, to date, the contributions of the individual components of the system have not been studied. The present study was done to investigate the efficacy of the individual components of the ViziLite system in providing improved visualization of early oral mucosal lesions. Patients and Methods A total of 100 patients, 39 males and 61 females, age 18 to 93 years (mean age, 44 years), who presented to the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry for dental screening were examined. There were 58 Caucasians, 29 African-Americans, 5 Hispanics, 6 Asians, and 2 of mixed ethnicity. Thirty-five patients smoked, 53 used alcohol, and 25 both smoked and drank. After written consent, the oral cavity was examined under incandescent light for soft tissue abnormalities. After 1-minute rinse with 1% acetic acid, the mouth was re-examined for additional mucosal abnormalities. Then, the mouth was examined once again using the ViziLite system’s chemiluminescent light. Any lesions detected by these 3 examinations that were clinically undiagnosable were brush biopsied (Oral CDx) for determination of cellular representation. Results In the original examination of the 100 patients, 57 clinically diagnosable benign lesions (eg, linea alba, leukoedema) and 29 clinically undiagnosable lesions were detected. After the rinse, 6 [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-03-01T18:45:46-07:00February, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Zila completes merger with Tolmar

Source: www.earthtimes.org Author: press release Zila, Inc. today announced the completion of the merger with a subsidiary of Tolmar Holding, Inc. Pursuant to the merger agreement between the companies, at the effective time of the merger all outstanding shares of Zila’s common stock were converted into the right to receive $0.45 per share in cash. As a result of the transaction, Zila has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Tolmar Holding, Inc., which also owns Tolmar, Inc., a U.S. based privately held, pharmaceutical research, development, manufacturing and commercial operations company. Tolmar Holding, Inc. expects Zila to continue as a stand alone business unit. Effective with the close of trading today, Zila’s common stock has ceased to be traded on the Nasdaq Market.

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-09-21T06:03:07-07:00September, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Zila enters into merger agreement with Tolmar

Source: www.earthtimes.org Author: press release Zila, Inc. today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Tolmar Holding, Inc., a privately held, pharmaceutical research, development, manufacturing and commercial operations company. Under terms of the agreement, Tolmar will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Zila for a cash purchase price of $0.38 per share, representing an approximate premium of 18% over the closing price of Zila’s shares on June 24, 2009. Total consideration paid by Tolmar includes the purchase of Zila’s existing $12 million senior secured convertible debt at a discount. The proposed merger transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by Zila’s stockholders, but is not subject to any financing contingency. David Bethune, Zila’s chairman and CEO, stated, “We are fortunate to have entered into this merger agreement with Tolmar, given Zila’s current financial condition and our inability to access the financial markets. The Board of Directors conducted a substantial and exhaustive review of Zila’s available alternatives, before concluding that this transaction was fair to and in the best interest of the company and its stockholders. I am gratified that we have found a way to both satisfy our debt obligations and provide value for our shareholders. This merger will provide the resources and platform for Zila’s dedicated employees to realize the true worldwide potential of Zila’s oral cancer screening and periodontal products." About Zila, Inc. Zila, Inc., headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a diagnostic company dedicated to the prevention, detection and treatment of [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-06-27T15:21:37-07:00June, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Zila warns of bankruptcy without more funding

Source: triangle.bizjournals.com Author: Angela Gonzales Zila Inc. continues to bleed red ink, but bandages have been put in place to help stem the flow. The Phoenix oral cancer diagnostics company released its fiscal third-quarter results Tuesday, showing a loss of $1.5 million on $5 million in revenue for the three months ended April 30. That compares with a $4.4 million loss on $6.8 million in revenue for the same period in 2008. For the first nine months of 2009, Zila lost nearly $30 million on revenue of $15.6 million, compared with $14 million in losses on $20 million in revenue. In its quarterly filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Zila said revenue has been negatively impacted by the economy and because of customer concern about its viability as an ongoing business. “Concerns about our financial viability have also contributed to an increased turnover in our field sales force and other key staff areas and have led to a reduction in our marketing effectiveness and our reach to new and existing customers,” the company said in its 10-Q. To stem the blood loss, Zila has continued salary reductions for a number of management personnel, reduced its field sales force by 15 percent, eliminated its employee stock purchase plan, furloughed certain manufacturing production personnel and reduced trade show expenditures. Still, the decline in revenue means Zila has been cutting into its cash reserves. As of April 30, the company had $3.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared with $2.5 [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-06-15T20:25:07-07:00June, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Zila might file Chapter 11 after cutting costs

Source: MSN Money Zila Inc.’s worsening financial situation might force the company to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, despite a number of cost-saving measures, according to financial statements filed March 17. Despite cost-reduction strategies, the company’s revenue and cash continue to decline, according to its quarterly filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Scottsdale-based Zila’s cash and cash equivalents dropped to $2.5 million as of Jan. 31, compared with $3.2 million on Oct. 31 and $4.5 million on July 31. “In order to continue as a going concern and fund our current level of operations over the next 12 months, we will require additional funds and need to restructure our senior secured convertible notes,” the company stated in its filing. Company officials question whether Zila (Nasdaq: ZILA) has sufficient cash available to pay future quarterly interest payments due under those notes. Chapter 11 would allow the company to restructure its debts while continuing operations. For the six months ended Jan. 31, Zila reported a net loss of $28 million on $18.2 million in revenue. That compares with a $9.6 million net loss on revenue of $21 million during the same period in 2008. The oral cancer diagnostic company’s stock closed Wednesday at 14 cents a share, close to its 52-week low of 13 cents a share. Its 52-week high is $3.57. Last year, Nasdaq warned Zila that its stock was in danger of being delisted if it didn’t keep its price over $1 per share for 10 consecutive business [...]

Webmaster2009-03-20T09:34:34-07:00March, 2009|Oral Cancer News|