1 Exhibit 10.0 REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of October 17, 1997, by and among Zila, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with headquarters located at 5227 North Seventh Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85014-2800 (the "COMPANY"), and the undersigned buyers (each, a "BUYER" and collectively, the "BUYERS"). WHEREAS: A. In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement by and among the parties of even date herewith (the "SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), the Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein, to (i) issue and sell to the Buyers shares of the Company's Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the "PREFERRED SHARES"), which will be convertible into shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.001 per share (the "COMMON STOCK") (as converted, the "CONVERSION SHARES"), in accordance with the terms of the Company's Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the "CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS"), and (ii) issue Warrants (the "WARRANTS") to acquire Common Stock (the "WARRANT SHARES"); and B. To induce the Buyers to execute and deliver the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the "1933 ACT"), and applicable state securities laws: NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Buyers hereby agree as follows: 1. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings: a. "INVESTOR" means a Buyer and any transferee or assignee thereof to whom a Buyer assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9. b. "PERSON" means a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, an organization, a business, an individual, a governmental or political subdivision thereof or a governmental agency. 2 c. "REGISTER," "REGISTERED," and "REGISTRATION" refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration Statements in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415 under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous basis ("RULE 415"), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). d. "REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" means the Conversion Shares (including any Repricing Shares issuable in accordance with the Certificate of Designations) and the Warrant Shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares and exercise of the Warrants, respectively, and any shares of capital stock issued or issuable with respect to the Conversion Shares, the Warrant Shares, the Warrants or the Preferred Shares as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise. e. "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means a registration statement of the Company filed under the 1933 Act. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement. 2. REGISTRATION. a. Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare, and, on or prior to 90 days after the date of issuance of the relevant Preferred Shares, file with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration Statements (as is necessary) on Form S-3 (or, if such form is unavailable for such a registration, on such other form as is available for such a registration, subject to the consent of the Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities and the provisions of Section 2(c), which consent will not be unreasonably withheld), covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities, which Registration Statement(s) to the extent allowable under the 1933 Act and the Rules promulgated thereunder (including Rule 416) shall state that such Registration Statement(s) also covers such indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock as may become issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares or exercise of the Warrants (i) to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions and (ii) to account for any obligation to issue Repricing Shares in accordance with the Certificate of Designations. Such Registration Statement shall initially register for resale at least 7,000,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(b). Such registered shares of Common Stock shall be allocated among the Investors as set forth in Section 11(k) hereof. The Company shall use its best efforts to have the Registration Statement(s) declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 120 days after the issuance of the relevant Preferred Shares. b. Counsel and Investment Bankers. Subject to Section 5 hereof, in connection with any offering pursuant to Section 2, the Buyers shall have the right to select one -2- 3 legal counsel and an investment banker or bankers and manager or managers to administer their interest in the offering, which investment banker or bankers or manager or managers shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. The Company shall reasonably cooperate with any such counsel and investment bankers. c. Payments by the Company. If (i) the Registration Statement(s) covering the Registrable Securities required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof is not declared effective by the SEC on or before the time specified in Section 2(a) hereof (the "REGISTRATION DEADLINE") or if, after the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, sales of the Registrable Securities (including any Registrable Securities required to be registered pursuant to this Section 2(c) or Section 3(b) hereof) cannot be made pursuant to the Registration Statement (by reason of a stop order or the Company's failure to update the Registration Statement or any other reason outside the control of the Investors) or (ii) the Common Stock is not listed or included for quotation on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), the Nasdaq National Market ("NASDAQ NM") or the Nasdaq SmallCap Market ("NASDAQ SMALLCAP") or the American Stock Exchange (the "AMEX") at any time after the Registration Deadline, then the Company will make payments to the Investors in such amounts and at such times as shall be determined pursuant to this Section 2(c) as partial relief for the damages to the Investors by reason of any such delay in or reduction of their ability to sell the Registrable Securities (which remedy shall not be exclusive of any other remedies available at law or in equity). The Company shall pay to each Investor an amount equal to the product of (i) the aggregate purchase price of the Preferred Shares and Warrants held by such Investor (including, without limitation, Preferred Shares that have been converted into Conversion Shares and Warrants that have been exercised for Warrant Shares then held by such Investor) (the "AGGREGATE SHARE PRICE") multiplied by (ii) two hundredths (.02) multiplied by (iii) the sum of: (y) the number of months (prorated for partial months) after the Registration Deadline and prior to the date the Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) is declared effective by the SEC and (z) the number of months (prorated for partial months) that sales of any Registrable Securities cannot be made pursuant to the Registration Statement after the Registration Statement has been declared effective or the Common Stock is not listed or included for quotation on the NYSE, Nasdaq NM, Nasdaq SmallCap or AMEX; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from each such period any delays which are solely attributable to changes (other than corrections of Company mistakes with respect to information previously provided by the Investors) required by the Investors in the Registration Statement with respect to information relating to the Investors, including, without limitation, changes to the plan of distribution. (For example, if the Registration Statement is not effective by the Registration Deadline, the Company would pay $20,000 per month for each $1,000,000 of Aggregate Share Price until the Registration Statement becomes effective.) Such amounts shall be paid in cash or, at the Company's option, may be convertible into Common Stock at the "CONVERSION PRICE" (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) then in effect. Any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of such amounts shall be Registrable Securities. If the Company desires to convert the amounts due hereunder into Registrable Securities it shall so notify the Investors in writing within two (2) business days of the day on which such amounts are first payable in cash and such amounts shall be so convertible (pursuant to the mechanics set forth in the Certificate of -3- 4 Designations), beginning on the last day upon which the cash amount would otherwise be due in accordance with the following sentence. Payments of cash pursuant hereto shall be made within five (5) days after the end of each period that gives rise to such obligation, provided that, if any such period extends for more than thirty (30) days, interim payments shall be made for each such thirty (30) day period. d. Piggy-Back Registrations. If at any time prior to the expiration of the Registration Period (as hereinafter defined) a Registration Statement is not in effect with respect to the Registrable Securities and the Company proposes to file with the SEC a Registration Statement relating to an offering for its own account or the account of others under the 1933 Act of any of its securities (other than on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or their then equivalents relating to securities to be issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any entity or business or equity securities issuable in connection with stock option or other employee benefit plans) the Company shall promptly send to each Investor who is entitled to registration rights under this Section 2(d) written notice of the Company's intention to file a Registration Statement and of such Investor's rights under this Section 2(d) and, if within twenty (20) days after receipt of such notice, such Investor shall so request in writing, the Company shall include in such Registration Statement all or any part of the Registrable Securities such Investor requests to be registered, subject to the priorities set forth in Section 2(e) below. No right to registration of Registrable Securities under this Section 2(d) shall be construed to limit any registration required under Section 2(a). The obligations of the Company under this Section 2(d) may be waived by Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities. If an offering in connection with which an Investor is entitled to registration under this Section 2(d) is an underwritten offering, then each Investor whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration Statement shall, unless otherwise agreed by the Company, offer and sell such Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering using the same underwriter or underwriters and, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, on the same terms and conditions as other shares of Common Stock included in such underwritten offering. e. Priority in Piggy-Back Registration Rights in connection with Registrations for Company Account. If the registration referred to in Section 2(d) is to be an underwritten public offering and the managing underwriter(s) advise the Company in writing, that in their reasonable good faith opinion, marketing or other factors dictate that a limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock which may be included in the Registration Statement is necessary to facilitate and not adversely affect the proposed offering, then the Company shall include in such registration: (1) first, all securities the Company proposes to sell for its own account, (2) second, up to the full number of securities proposed to be registered for the account of the holders of securities entitled to inclusion of their securities in the Registration Statement by reason of demand registration rights, and (3) third, the securities requested to be registered by the Investors and other holders of securities entitled to participate in the registration, as of the date hereof, drawn from them pro rata based on the number each has requested to be included in such registration. -4- 5 f. Eligibility for Form S-3. The Company represents, warrants and covenants that on and after the date hereof it meets and will meet the requirements for the use of Form S-3 for registration of the sale by the Investors of the Registrable Securities and the Company has filed and shall file all reports required to be filed by the Company with the SEC in a timely manner so as to obtain and maintain such eligibility for the use of Form S-3. In the event that Form S-3 is not available for sale by the Investors of the Registrable Securities, then the Company (i) with the consent of the Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a), shall register the sale of the Registrable Securities on another appropriate form and (ii) the Company shall undertake to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 as soon as such form is available, provided that the Company shall maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect until such time as a Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the Registrable Securities has been declared effective by the SEC. g. Rule 416. The Company and the Investors each acknowledge that an indeterminate number of Registrable Securities shall be registered pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act so as to include in such Registration Statement any and all Registrable Securities which may become issuable (i) to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions and (ii) to account for any obligation to issue Repricing Shares in accordance with the Certificate of Designations (collectively, the "RULE 416 SECURITIES"). In this regard, the Company agrees to take all steps necessary to ensure that all Registrable Securities are registered pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act in the Registration Statement and, absent guidance from the SEC or other definitive authority to the contrary, the Company shall affirmatively support and not take any action adverse to the position that the Registration Statements filed hereunder cover all of the Rule 416 Securities. If the Company determines that the Registration Statements filed hereunder do not cover all of the Rule 416 Securities, the Company shall immediately provide to each Investor written notice (a "RULE 416 NOTICE") setting forth the basis for the Company's position and the authority therefor. 3. RELATED OBLIGATIONS. Whenever an Investor has requested that any Registrable Securities be registered pursuant to Section 2(c) or at such time as the Company is obligated to file a Registration Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a), the Company will use its best efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof and, pursuant thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations: a. The Company shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities (on or prior to the 90th day after the date of issuance of any Preferred Shares for the registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a)) and use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities to become effective as soon as possible after such filing (but in no event later than 120 days after the issuance of any Preferred Shares for the registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a)), and keep such Registration Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 at -5- 6 all times until the earlier of (i) the date as of which the Investors may sell all of the Registrable Securities without restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k) promulgated under the 1933 Act (or successor thereto) or (ii) the date on which (A) the Investors shall have sold all the Registrable Securities and (B) none of the Preferred Shares or Warrants is outstanding, but in any event for a minimum of three years from the date of issuance of the Preferred Shares (the "REGISTRATION PERIOD"), which Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading. b. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement. In the event (i) the Company delivers a Rule 416 Notice to the Investors or the Investors who hold a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities shall reasonably determine or the SEC shall state formally or informally that Rule 416 under the Securities Act does not permit a registration statement to cover securities which may become issuable upon conversion or exercise of convertible or exercisable securities by reason of reductions in the conversion or exercise price of such securities and (ii) the number of shares available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement is, for any three (3) consecutive trading days (the last of such three (3) trading days being the "REGISTRATION TRIGGER DATE"), insufficient to cover one hundred thirty five percent (135%) of the Registrable Securities issued or issuable upon a conversion (without giving effect to any limitations on conversion contained in Section 2(k) of the Certificate of Designations) of the Preferred Stock and exercise of the Warrants, the Company shall amend the Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on the short form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover two hundred percent (200%) of the Registrable Securities issued or issuable (without giving effect to any limitations on conversion contained in Section 2(k) of the Certificate of Designations) as of the Registration Trigger Date, in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any event within fifteen (15) days after the Registration Trigger Date (based on the market price then in effect of the Common Stock and other relevant factors on which the Company reasonably elects to rely). The Company shall cause such amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof. In the event the Company fails to obtain the effectiveness of any such Registration Statement within sixty (60) days after a Registration Trigger Date, each Investor shall thereafter have the option, exercisable in whole or in part at any time and from time to time by delivery of a written notice to the Company (a "REDEMPTION NOTICE"), to require the Company to purchase for cash, at an amount per share equal to the Redemption Price (as defined in the Certificate of Designations), a portion of the Investor's Preferred Shares such that the total number of -6- 7 Registrable Securities included on the Registration Statement for resale by such Investor exceeds 135% of the Registrable Securities issued or issuable upon conversion (without giving effect to any limitations on conversion contained in Section 2(k) of the Certificate of Designation) of such Investor's Preferred Shares and exercise of such Investor's Warrants. If the Company fails to redeem any of such shares within five (5) business days after its receipt of a Redemption Notice, then such Investor shall be entitled to the remedies provided in the Certificate of Designations. For purposes of the calculation set forth in the foregoing sentence, any restrictions on the convertibility of the Preferred Shares or exerciseability of the Warrants shall be disregarded and such calculation shall assume that the Preferred Shares and the Warrants are then convertible and exercisable, respectively, into shares of Common Stock at the then prevailing Conversion Rate (as defined in the Company's Certificate of Designations) and Warrant Exercise Price (as defined in the Warrant), respectively, if applicable. c. The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose Registrable Securities are included in any Registration Statement and its legal counsel without charge (i) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC at least one copy of such Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits, the prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and, with regards to such Registration Statement(s), any correspondence by or on behalf of the Company to the SEC or the staff of the SEC and any correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC to the Company or its representatives, (ii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, (or any amendments thereto) a notice stating that such Registration Statement or any amendment thereto has been declared effective and (iii) such number of copies of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as such Investor may reasonably request) and such other documents, including any preliminary prospectus, as such Investor may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Investor. d. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to (i) register and qualify the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under such other securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as any Investor reasonably requests, (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify each Investor who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities -7- 8 for sale under the securities or "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose. e. As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event, the Company shall notify each Investor in writing of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver ten (10) copies of such supplement or amendment to each Investor (or such other number of copies as such Investor may reasonably request). The Company shall also promptly notify each Investor in writing (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to each Investor by facsimile on the same day of such effectiveness and by overnight mail), (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related prospectus or related information, and (iii) of the Company's reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate. f. The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible moment and to notify each Investor who holds Registrable Securities being sold of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose. g. The Company shall permit each Investor and a single firm of counsel, initially Katten Muchin & Zavis or such other counsel as thereafter designated as selling stockholders' counsel by the Investors who hold a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold, to review and comment upon a Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto at least five (5) business days prior to their filing with the SEC, and not file any document in a form to which such counsel reasonably objects. The Company shall not submit a request for acceleration of the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto without the prior approval of such counsel, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. h. The Company shall make available for inspection by (i) any Investor, and (ii) one firm of attorneys and one firm of accountants or other agents retained by the Investors (collectively, the "INSPECTORS") all pertinent financial and other records, and pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the "RECORDS"), as shall be reasonably deemed necessary by each Inspector to enable each Inspector to exercise its due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all -8- 9 information which any Inspector may reasonably request for purposes of such due diligence; provided, however, that each Inspector shall hold in strict confidence and shall not make any disclosure (except to an Investor) or use of any Record or other information which the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement or is otherwise required under the 1933 Act, (b) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a final, non-appealable subpoena or order from a court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c) the information in such Records has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement of which the Inspector has knowledge. Each Investor agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the Records deemed confidential. i. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, (iv) such information has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other agreement or (v) such Investor consents to the form and content of any such disclosure. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning an Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to such Investor and allow such Investor, at the Investor's expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information. j. The Company shall use its best efforts either to (i) cause all the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) secure designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement on the Nasdaq National Market or, if, despite the Company's best efforts to satisfy the preceding clause (i) or (ii), the Company is unsuccessful in satisfying the preceding clause (i) or (ii), to secure the inclusion for quotation on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market for such Registrable Securities and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to arrange for at least two market makers to register with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") as such with respect to such Registrable Securities. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section 3(l). k. The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who hold Registrable Securities being offered and, to the extent applicable, any managing underwriter or underwriters, -9- 10 to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legend) representing the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such certificates to be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the Investors may reasonably request and registered in such names as the Investors may request. l. The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investors of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement. m. The Company shall provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement. n. If requested by an Investor, the Company shall (i) immediately incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the Investors agree should be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities; (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement if requested by a shareholder of such Registrable Securities. o. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities. p. The Company shall make generally available to its security holders as soon as practical, but not later than 90 days after the close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with the provisions of Rule 158 under the 1933 Act) covering a twelve-month period beginning not later than the first day of the Company's fiscal quarter next following the effective date of the Registration Statement. q. The Company shall otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any registration hereunder. r. Within two (2) business days after the Registration Statement which includes the Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investors whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration Statement) confirmation that the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. -10- 11 4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTORS. a. At least five (5) business days prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement, the Company shall notify each Investor in writing of the information (described in paragraph (b) below) the Company requires from each such Investor if such Investor elects to have any of such Investor's Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of a particular Investor that such Investor shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request. b. Each Investor, by such Investor's acceptance of the Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration Statement hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing of such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement. c. Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g) or the first sentence of Section 3(f), such Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until such Investor's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3(g) or the first sentence of Section 3(f). 5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION. All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Investors, shall be paid by the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to pay more than $2,500 of the fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Investors for each Registration Statement that is filed. 6. INDEMNIFICATION. In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration Statement under this Agreement: a. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Investor who holds such Registrable Securities, -11- 12 the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents of, and each Person, if any, who controls, any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 ACT"), and any underwriter (as defined in the 1933 Act) for the Investors, and the directors and officers of, and each Person, if any, who controls, any such underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (each, an "INDEMNIFIED PERSON"), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, attorneys' fees, amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several (collectively, "CLAIMS"), incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified party is or may be a party thereto ("INDEMNIFIED DAMAGES"), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered ("BLUE SKY FILING"), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the effective date of such Registration Statement, or contained in the final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) being, collectively, "VIOLATIONS"). Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6(d) with respect to the number of legal counsel, the Company shall reimburse the Investors and each such underwriter or controlling person, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by any Indemnified Person or underwriter for such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(c); (ii) with respect to any preliminary prospectus, shall not inure to the benefit of any such person from whom the person asserting any such Claim purchased the Registrable Securities that are the subject thereof (or to the benefit of any person controlling such person) if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus was corrected in the prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, if such prospectus -12- 13 was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(c), and the Indemnified Person was promptly advised in writing not to use the incorrect prospectus prior to the use giving rise to a violation and such Indemnified Person, notwithstanding such advice, used it; (iii) shall not be available to the extent such Claim is based on a failure of the Investor to deliver or to cause to be delivered the prospectus made available by the Company; and (iv) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9. b. In connection with any Registration Statement in which an Investor is participating, each such Investor agrees to severally and not jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement, each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act and each other Person selling securities pursuant to the Registration Statement or any directors, officers or Persons controlling such party (collectively and together with an Indemnified Person, an "INDEMNIFIED PARTY"), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement; and, subject to Section 6(d), such Investor will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(b) with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus was corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus, as then amended or supplemented. c. The Company shall be entitled to receive indemnities from underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers and similar securities industry professionals participating in any distribution, to the same extent as provided above, with respect to information such persons so furnished in writing expressly for inclusion in the Registration Statement. -13- 14 d. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The Company shall pay reasonable fees for only one separate legal counsel for the Investors, and such legal counsel shall be selected by the Investors holding a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement to which the Claim relates. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person fully apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its written consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such action. e. The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred. -14- 15 f. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law. 7. CONTRIBUTION. To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that: (i) no contribution shall be made under circumstances where the maker would not have been liable for indemnification under the fault standards set forth in Section 6; (ii) no Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (iii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities. 8. REPORTS UNDER THE 1934 ACT. With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the Investors to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration ("RULE 144"), the Company agrees to: a. make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144; b. file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that nothing herein shall limit the Company's obligations under Section 4(c) of the Securities Purchase Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and c. furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns Preferred Shares, Warrants or Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the investors to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration. -15- 16 9. ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS. The rights under this Agreement, including the right to have the Company register Registrable Securities pursuant hereto, shall be automatically assignable by the Investors to any transferee of all or any portion of Preferred Shares, Warrants or Registrable Securities if: (i) the Investor agrees in writing with the transferee or assignee to assign such rights, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the Company within a reasonable time after such assignment; (ii) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer or assignment, furnished with written notice of (a) the name and address of such transferee or assignee, and (b) the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned; (iii) immediately following such transfer or assignment the further disposition of such securities by the transferee or assignee is restricted under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws; (iv) at or before the time the Company receives the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this sentence the transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the provisions contained herein; (v) such transfer shall have been made in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Purchase Agreement; and (vi) such transferee shall be an "accredited investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the 1933 Act. 10. AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS. Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and Investors who hold all of the Registrable Securities. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10 shall be binding upon each Investor and the Company. 11. MISCELLANEOUS. a. A person or entity is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such person or entity owns of record such Registrable Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or more persons or entities with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received from the registered owner of such Registrable Securities. -16- 17 b. Any notices consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided a confirmation of transmission is mechanically generated and kept on file by the sending party); (iii) three (3) days after being sent by U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested; or (iv) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such communications shall be: If to the Company: Zila, Inc. 5227 North Seventh Street Phoenix, Arizona 85014-2800 Telephone: 602-266-6700 Facsimile: 602-234-2264 Attention: President With a copy to: Streich Lang, P.A. Renaissance One Two North Central Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85504-2391 Telephone: 619-229-5509 Facsimile: 619-229-5890 Attention: Kevin Tourek, Esq. If to a Buyer, to its address and facsimile number on the Schedule of Buyers attached hereto, with copies to such Buyer's counsel as set forth on the Schedule of Buyers. Each party shall provide five (5) days prior notice to the other party of any change in address, phone number or facsimile number. c. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof. d. The corporate law of the State of Delaware shall govern all issues and questions concerning the relative rights and obligations of the Company and holders of its securities. All other issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any -17- 18 choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. e. This Agreement, the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Warrants constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This Agreement, the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Warrants supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. f. Subject to the requirements of Section 9, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto. g. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. h. This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered to the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this Agreement bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement. i. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. -18- 19 j. All consents and other determinations to be made by the Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be made, unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, by Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities, determined as if all of the Preferred Shares and the Warrants then outstanding have been converted into or exercised for Registrable Securities. k. The initial number of Registrable Securities included on any Registration Statement and each increase (if any) to the number of Registrable Securities included thereon shall be allocated pro rata among the Investors based on the number of Registrable Securities held by each Investor at the time of such establishment or increase, as the case may be. In the event an Investor shall sell or otherwise transfer any of such holder's Registrable Securities, each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of the number of Registrable Securities included on a Registration Statement for such transferor. Any shares of Common Stock included on a Registration Statement and which remain allocated to any person or entity which does not hold any Registrable Securities shall be allocated to the remaining Investors, pro rata based on the number of shares of Registrable Securities then held by such Investors. For the avoidance of doubt, the number of Registrable Securities held by any Investor shall be determined as if all shares of Preferred Stock and Warrants then outstanding were converted into or exercised for Registrable Securities. l. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party. -19- 20 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of day and year first above written. COMPANY: BUYERS: ZILA, INC. OLYMPUS SECURITIES, LTD. By: /s/ Joseph Hines By: /s/ Anne Dupuy ----------------------------- ----------------------------- Name: Joseph Hines Name: Anne Dupuy -------------------------- Its: Officer Its: President -------------------------- NELSON PARTNERS By: /s/ Anne Dupuy ----------------------------- Name: Anne Dupuy Its: Officer LEONARDO, L.P. By: Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P. General Partner By: /s/ Michael L. Gordon ----------------------------- Michael L. Gordon Chief Operating Officer -20- 21 GAM ARBITRAGE INVESTMENTS, INC. By: Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P. Investment Adviser By: /s/ Michael L. Gordon ----------------------------- Michael L. Gordon Chief Operating Officer AG SUPER FUND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS, L.P. By: Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P. General Partner By: /s/ Michael L. Gordon ----------------------------- Michael L. Gordon Chief Operating Officer RAPHAEL, L.P. By: /s/ Michael L. Gordon ----------------------------- Michael L. Gordon Chief Operating Officer RAMIUS FUND, LTD. By: AG Ramius Partners, L.L.C. Investment Adviser By: /s/ Michael L. Gordon ----------------------------- Michael L. Gordon Managing Officer HICK INVESTMENTS, LTD. -21- 22 By: AG Ramius Partners, L.L.C. Investment Adviser By: /s/ Michael L. Gordon ----------------------------- Michael L. Gordon Managing Officer CAPITAL VENTURES INTERNATIONAL By: Heights Capital Management, Inc., as Agent By: /s/ Andrew Frost ----------------------------- Name: Andrew Frost Its: President -22- 23 SCHEDULE OF BUYERS INVESTOR NAME Investor Address Number of Investor's Representatives' Address and Facsimile Number Units and Facsimile Number - ------------------------- --------------------------------------- --------- ------------------------------------ Olympus Securities, Ltd. c/o Leeds Management Services 4,500 Citadel Investment Group, L.L.C. 129 Front Street 225 West Washington Street Hamilton HM12 Chicago, Illinois 60606 Bermuda Attention: Ken Griffin Attn: Anne Dupuy Michael Hughes Facsimile: (441) 292-2239 Facsimile: (312) 368-4347 Katten Muchin & Zavis 525 West Monroe Street Chicago, Illinois 60661 Attention: Wesley Nissen Kevin Barney Facsimile: (312) 902-1061 Nelson Partners c/o Leeds Management Services 5,500 Citadel Investment Group, L.L.C. 129 Front Street 225 West Washington Street Hamilton HM 12 Chicago, Illinois 60606 Bermuda Attention: Ken Griffin Attn: Anne Dupuy Michael Hughes Facsimile: (441) 292-2239 Facsimile: (312) 368-4347 Katten Muchin & Zavis 525 West Monroe Street Chicago, Illinois 60661 Attention: Wesley Nissen Kevin Barney Facsimile: (312) 902-1061 Leonardo, L.P. _Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P. 6,100 245 Park Avenue - 26th Floor New York, New York 10167 Attn: Gary Wolf Facsimile: (212) 867-6449 GAM Arbitrage Investments, _Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P. 500 Inc. 245 Park Avenue - 26th Floor New York, New York 10167 Attn: Gary Wolf Facsimile: (212) 867-6449 AG Super Fund International _Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P. 500 Partners, L.P. 245 Park Avenue - 26th Floor New York, New York 10167 Attn: Gary Wolf Facsimile: (212) 867-6449 Raphael, L.P. _Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P. 1,000 245 Park Avenue - 26th Floor New York, New York 10167 Attn: Gary Wolf Facsimile: (212) 867-6449 Ramius Fund, Ltd. _Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P. 1,400 245 Park Avenue - 26th Floor -23- 24 INVESTOR NAME Investor Address Number of Investor's Representatives' Address and Facsimile Number Units and Facsimile Number - ------------------------- --------------------------------------- --------- ------------------------------------ New York, New York 10167 Attn: Gary Wolf Facsimile: (212) 867-6449 Hick Investments, Ltd. _Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P. 500 245 Park Avenue - 26th Floor New York, New York 10167 Attn: Gary Wolf Facsimile: (212) 867-6449 Capital Ventures International _Heights Capital Management, Inc. 10,000 Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, 425 California Street Branzburg & Ellers Suite 1100 1401 Walnut Street San Francisco, California 94104 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19109 Attn: Michael Spolan Attention: Steve Burdumy Facsimile: (415) 403-6525 Gerald Stahlecker Facsimile: (215) 568-6603 -24- 25 EXHIBIT A FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT _______________________________ ATTN: ___________________ RE: ZILA, INC. Ladies and Gentlemen: We are counsel to Zila, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), and have represented the Company in connection with that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT") entered into by and among the Company and the buyers named therein (collectively, the "HOLDERS") pursuant to which the Company issued to the Holders shares of its Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share (the "PREFERRED SHARES"), and warrants to purchase _____ shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.001 per share (the "COMMON STOCK"), for each Preferred Share, subject to adjustment (the "WARRANTS"). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company also has entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Holders (the "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT") pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to register the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), including the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares and exercise of the Warrants, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 ACT"). In connection with the Company's obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, on ____________ ___, 1997, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-_____________) (the "REGISTRATION STATEMENT") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to the Registrable Securities which names each of the Holders as a selling stockholder thereunder. In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that a member of the SEC's staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order declaring the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [ENTER TIME OF EFFECTIVENESS] on [ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS] and we have no knowledge, after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC's staff, that any stop order suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the Registration Statement. Very truly yours, STREICH LANG, P.A. By: ________________________ cc: [LIST NAMES OF HOLDERS] -25-