TUCSON, Ariz., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
(Nasdaq: VMSI); the leading company in supplying automated instrument-reagent
systems to histology labs, today announced it had completed a private
placement of 1,250,000 shares of its common stock, raising $50 million in
gross proceeds for the Company before deducting commission and expenses of the
offering.  The shares were not registered with the SEC in reliance upon the
exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended as well as similar exemptions contained in the securities
laws, rules and regulations of the applicable states.  The shares may not be
re-offered or resold in the United States absent registration, or an
applicable exemption from registration requirements of the 1933 Act.
    The Company will use the proceeds for general corporate purposes,
including the financing of product and technology acquisitions, and
consolidation of its Tucson-based operations into a single site.
    Safe Harbor Statement: Statements in this press release which are not
strictly historical are "forward-looking" statements that are made pursuant to
the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995.  Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, which may
cause the company's actual results in the future to differ materially from the
expected results.  The risks and uncertainties that may affect the results of
the company's business may include general economic conditions, market
acceptance of new automated histology products, continued success in asset
management and other factors that are described in the company's specific
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
    Ventana develops, manufactures and markets instrument/reagent systems that
automate tissue preparation and slide staining in histology laboratories
worldwide.  Ventana's systems are important tools used in the diagnosis and
treatment of cancer and infectious diseases.

    For more information on Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. via facsimile at no
additional cost, simply dial 1-800-PRO-INFO and enter the stock symbol "VMSI."

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