TUCSON, Ariz., June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
(Nasdaq: VMSI); the leading global supplier of automated instrument reagent
systems to anatomical pathology, today announced the introduction of a new
module for its NexES system that will automate in-situ hybridization (ISH)
testing of tissue or cells mounted on microscope slides.  ISH testing uses
molecular probes to identify infectious diseases or genomic abnormalities that
are relevant in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
    "With the addition of ISH capability, the NexES system becomes the most
advanced and flexible staining system in anatomical pathology," commented
Chris Gleeson, Ventana's President & CEO.  "The NexES system was launched in
late 1997 with immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining capability only and special
staining capability was added in late 1998.  Now with ISH staining capability,
the system automates the entire advanced staining needs of the histology lab,"
added Gleeson.  "Moreover, we expect the ISH market to develop rapidly by
providing faster turnaround time on infectious disease diagnosis and
diagnosing the root cause cancers at the molecular level."
    Gleeson added that the ISH module contains capabilities not yet found on
other NexES modules.  "The ISH module automates the pre-staining steps of
baking fresh cut tissue onto the slide, dewaxing the tissue and conditioning
cells in addition to performing the important staining steps of denaturing the
DNA, applying a probe and then detection chemistry," said Gleeson.  "This
module will complete in about 4 hours what previously took up to 12 plus hours
to complete manually."
    The clinical version of the ISH module will be offered at a price of
$85,000 with an initial menu that includes tests for Her-2/neu gene
amplification, human papillomavirus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr virus,
Kappa and Lambda.  A research version of the module priced at $120,000 will
also be offered capable of completing combined ISH & IHC in a single run.  For
new orders currently being received, Ventana is scheduling shipment in the
fourth quarter, 1999.
    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.
    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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