Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. and Genentech, Inc. (Jobs) in Development Pact

TUCSON, AZ--(MARKET WIRE)--May 24, 2007 -- Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (NasdaqGS:VMSI - News) today announced it has entered into a non-exclusive long-term collaboration agreement with Genentech, Inc. to co-develop and commercialize tissue-based diagnostic assays for therapeutic candidates designated by Genentech. Ventana will receive service fees through the development process, and in conjunction with the therapeutic candidate obtaining regulatory approval, have rights to commercialize any potential associated companion diagnostic test. Financial terms were not disclosed.

About Ventana

Ventana develops, manufactures, and markets instrument/reagent systems that automate slide preparation and staining in clinical histology and drug discovery laboratories worldwide. Ventana's clinical systems are important tools used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Ventana's drug discovery systems are used to accelerate the discovery of new drug targets and evaluate the safety of new drug compounds.

Visit the Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., website at www.ventanamed.com.

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SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal Securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the marketing of products, product development, and market acceptance of Ventana products. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results may vary materially. A full discussion of risks and uncertainties is available in our most recent Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form 10-K and all subsequent SEC filings. Copies of filings made with the SEC are available through the SEC's electronic data gathering analysis retrieval system (EDGAR) at www.sec.gov. We undertake no obligation following the date of this release to update or revise our forward-looking statements or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements are made. Past performance is not indicative of future results. We cannot guarantee any future operating results, activity, performance, or achievement.

Contact: Contact: Christopher M. Gleeson President and CEO (520) 229-3787

Larry Mehren Chief Financial Officer (520) 229-3857

VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. 1910 E. Innovation Park Drive Tucson, Arizona 85755 (520) 887-2155

Source: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.