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                                  EXHIBIT 99

Zila Acquires Peridex(R) from P&G

PHOENIX, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Zila, Inc.(Nasdaq:ZILA), international provider
of healthcare products for dental/medical professionals and consumers, announced
that its Zila Pharmaceuticals subsidiary has acquired Peridex(R), a prescription
anti-bacterial oral rinse, from The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G). Peridex is
specially formulated to kill bacteria associated with gum disease. Recognized as
the "gold standard" of prescription oral rinses, it was the first rinse to
receive the American Dental Association seal for reduction of plaque and
gingivitis.Three of four American adults have some form of periodontal disease.
Itis the leading cause of tooth loss in adults over age 35. Peridex effectively
controls the oral bacteria associated with periodontal disease, particularly in
the first and only completely reversible stage, gingivitis. Controlling gum
disease at its earliest stage is important because, if left untreated,
gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, resulting in destruction of the
periodontal structure and supporting bone.

Zila Pharmaceuticals President Rocco Anselmo said, "Peridex is one of the
best-established brand names in dentistry. We plan to build on the widespread
professional and consumer loyalty this product has earned. Based on its
professional reputation, Peridex will be the flagship of Zila Pharmaceuticals'
new prescription products line, significantly adding to the Company's revenue
stream."

Peridex will be marketed to healthcare professionals and pharmacists with
extensive support from Innovative Customer Solutions (ICS), a Cincinnati firm
headed by former P&G oral health care executives. Over the last year, ICS has
assisted Zila in educating the insurance industry about OraTest(TM), the
Company's oral cancer detection system, for which FDA approval is pending. ICS
will use its established network of more than 60 experienced detailers to call
on dental offices nationwide.

Zila, Inc., President Joseph Hines observed, "Until now, Zila products have
never had the advantage of being supported by a professional dental office
detailing force. We expect the ICS detailing organization to have a positive
impact on our full line of products, including our intraoral camera systems,
digital x-ray, practice management software, non-prescription products and,
certainly, OraTest."

Bruce L. Byrnes, president of P&G's health care business, said, "We're delighted
that dental professionals will continue to have access to Peridex, a
well-regarded and highly-effective treatment for gingivitis. This move will
allow us to focus even more on our toothpaste business."

Zila has grown rapidly in 1997, with acquisitions of Bio-Dental Technologies
Corporation and Cygnus Imaging, Inc. On October 28, Zila announced the signing
of a definitive agreement to


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acquire Oxycal Laboratories, Incorporated, manufacturer of Ester-C(R) vitamins,
patented products with non-acidic and Body-Ready(R) characteristics.

Zila, Inc., currently has four operating groups. Zila Pharmaceuticals markets
prescription and non-prescription oral healthcare products. Cygnus Imaging
manufactures and markets CygnaScope(TM) and OralVision(TM) intraoral video
camera systems, and CygnusRay(TM) digital x-ray systems. Zila Professional
Products Group includes PracticeWorks(R) dental practice management software and
Zila Dental Supply, a national dental products distributor, marketing 16,462
items to dental professionals through extensive telemarketing and direct mail,
catalog and internet sales. Zila Manufacturing is the world's only producer of
pharmaceutical grade toluidine blue, the active ingredient in OraTest(TM), the
first oral cancer detection system. Zila is introducing OraTest in markets
worldwide.

This document contains forward-looking statements which are based on Zila's
expectations and are subject to various business risks and uncertainties, some
of which are beyond Zila's control. Actual results could differ materially from
these forward-looking statements as a result of such risks. There can be no
assurances that the forward looking statements contained herein will in fact
transpire or prove to be accurate.




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