Zila Merger Agreement with Tolmar Amended to Reflect Higher Stock Price
July 28 2009 - 7:25PM
Business Wire
Zila, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZILA) today announced that its definitive
merger agreement with Tolmar Holding, Inc., a privately held,
pharmaceutical research, development, manufacturing and commercial
operations company, has been amended today to reflect a higher
price per share. Under the terms of the revised agreement, Tolmar
will acquire, for cash, all of Zila’s common stock for $0.45 per
share and preferred stock for $0.50 per share. Zila’s Board of
Directors encouraged Tolmar to increase its offer from $0.38 per
share of common stock to clearly demonstrate the superiority of its
offer over another offer that was contingent upon acquiring Zila’s
debt. The proposed merger transaction is subject to customary
closing conditions, including approval by Zila’s stockholders, but
is not subject to any financing contingency and is no longer
dependent upon Tolmar acquiring Zila’s debt.
Zila also said it has received notice from Tolmar that it has
purchased all of the Zila senior secured notes from the note
holders. Zila was not involved in the decision by Tolmar to acquire
the notes at this time. Also today, Tolmar and Zila entered into a
forbearance agreement, which subject to certain conditions,
prohibits Tolmar from accelerating such notes until November,
notwithstanding Zila’s existing interest payment defaults.
David Bethune, Zila’s chairman and CEO, said, “The Zila Board of
Directors has continued its efforts to secure the best possible
outcome for our stockholders. In the coming days we expect to
complete a proxy statement that will provide our stockholders with
all the details of the proposed merger and how the voting process
works.”
As part of the note purchase Tolmar acquired 435,084 shares of
Zila stock, representing approximately 4% of the outstanding common
stock, from the note holders with a proxy to vote it in favor of
the merger. Zila intends to hold a special meeting of its
stockholders as soon as practicable, and the parties anticipate
that the proposed merger will close by September. Upon the
completion of the proposed merger, Zila will no longer be a
publicly traded company.
About Zila, Inc.
Zila, Inc., headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a
diagnostic company dedicated to the prevention, detection and
treatment of oral cancer and periodontal disease. Zila manufactures
and markets ViziLite® Plus with TBlue® (“ViziLite® Plus”), the
company’s flagship product for the early detection of oral
abnormalities that could lead to cancer. ViziLite® Plus is an
adjunctive medical device cleared by the FDA for use in a
population at increased risk for oral 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 Rotadent® Professional Powered
Brush, the Pro-Select Platinum® ultrasonic scaler and a portfolio
of oral pharmaceutical products for both in-office and home-care
use. All of Zila’s products are marketed and sold in the United
States and Canada primarily through the company’s direct field
sales force and telemarketing organization. The company’s products
are marketed and sold in other international markets through the
direct sales forces of third party distributors. Zila’s marketing
programs reach most U.S. dental offices.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These
forward-looking statements are based largely on Zila’s expectations
or forecasts of future events, can be affected by inaccurate
assumptions and are subject to various business risks and known and
unknown uncertainties, a number of which are beyond Zila’s control.
Forward-looking statements include statements that are not
historical facts. The following factors, among others, could cause
actual results to differ from those set forth in the
forward-looking statements: the failure of Zila’s stockholders to
approve the proposed merger transaction; the failure of Zila or
Tolmar to satisfy any other condition to the completion of the
proposed merger transaction; and the risk that the transaction will
be delayed. Additional factors that may affect future results are
discussed in Zila’s Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended July 31,
2008 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2009. Zila
disclaims any obligation to update and/or revise statements
contained in these materials based on new information or
otherwise.
Additional Information Regarding the Merger
As previously announced on June 25, 2009, Zila entered into a
definitive merger agreement with Tolmar. On July 2, 2009, Zila
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a
preliminary proxy statement relating to the proposed merger with
Tolmar. Zila intends to file a definitive proxy statement and other
relevant materials with the SEC in the near future. These materials
will also be mailed to Zila’s stockholders. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED
TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND RELATED MATERIALS IN THEIR ENTIRETY
WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. SUCH MATERIALS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION ABOUT ZILA, TOLMAR AND THE PROPOSED MERGER TRANSACTION,
AND STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THEM BEFORE MAKING ANY
VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED
MERGER TRANSACTION. The proxy statement and related materials (when
they become available), and any other documents filed by Zila with
the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s web site,
www.sec.gov. In addition, Zila’s stockholders may obtain free
copies of the documents filed by Zila with the SEC by contacting
the Company’s Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at
Zila, Inc., 16430 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 450, Scottsdale,
Arizona 85254-1770, or by calling (602) 266-6700. This press
release does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale or
the solicitation of any proxy.
Zila, its directors, executive officers and other members of its
management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the
solicitation of proxies from the company’s stockholders in favor of
the proposed merger transaction. Information regarding Zila’s
directors and executive officers and their respective interests in
the proposed merger transaction (which may be different from those
of Zila’s stockholders generally) is included in the proxy
statements and Annual Reports on Form 10-K that Zila has previously
filed with the SEC. When it becomes available, the definitive proxy
statement relating to the proposed merger transaction will include
information regarding all of Zila’s participants in the
solicitation of proxies in favor of approving the merger.
Stockholders of Zila can obtain free copies of these documents by
using the contact information provided above.
For more information about Zila and its products, please visit
www.zila.com.
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