TUCSON, Ariz., May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
(Nasdaq: VMSI), the leading global supplier of automated instrument-reagent
systems to anatomical pathology, today announced the appointment of
Christopher M. Gleeson as the Company's President & CEO effective immediately.
Henry T. Pietraszek, Ventana's former President & CEO has stepped down due to
personal reasons but will remain on the Company's Board of Directors.
"We are excited about the outlook for Ventana under Chris' leadership as
CEO," commented Jack Schuler, Ventana's Chairman. "Since joining us in
February this year as Chief Operating Officer, Chris has quickly grasped the
dynamics of the anatomical pathology market and strengthened our commercial
activities in the U.S. We are confident that Ventana's growth and profit
momentum will continue with Chris at the helm."
Prior to joining Ventana in February 1999, Chris Gleeson was a Senior Vice
President of Bayer Diagnostics and General Manager of its Critical Care
Division. From 1993-97, he held several senior management roles at Chiron
Diagnostics, including Vice President and General Manager of their U.S.
Commercial Operations. Prior to that, he was the founder, owner and Managing
Director of Australian Diagnostics Corporation, a leading diagnostics
distributor in Australia.
John Patience, Ventana's Vice-Chairman, added, "Chris' 25 years of
successful general management experience in in-vitro diagnostics has
significantly strengthened the Company's top management team. Chris has
already demonstrated he can add value on many fronts. Jack and I look forward
to working with Chris to leverage Ventana's leadership position in anatomical
pathology."
Mr. Schuler added, "Ventana doubled in size under Hank Pietraszek's
leadership, reporting $47.7 million in revenues in 1998, up 98% from the
$24.1 million in revenues reported in 1996. We will continue to benefit from
Hank's industry experience and knowledge of Ventana through his continuing
involvement as a member of the Board."
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 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.
SOURCE Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
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CONTACT:
Christopher Gleeson, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., 520-887-2155;
Analysts, Kathy Brunson, or Media Inquiries, Bess Gallanis, of
The Financial Relations Board, 312-266-7800
NOTE TO EDITORS: 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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