TUCSON, AZ -- (MARKET WIRE) -- October 20, 2006 -- Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: VMSI), today reported sales of $59.0 million for the quarter ending September 30, 2006, a 16% increase over third quarter 2005. Net income for the third quarter was $7.8 million, or $0.22 per diluted share compared with net income of $3.6 million and $0.10 per diluted share for the same period last year. Current period results include net expenses of $0.9 million, or $0.02 per share for share-based compensation and $0.4 million, or $0.01 per share for costs associated with the previously announced Vision transaction. Third quarter results for 2005 include a net non-cash charge of $3.3 million, or $0.09 per diluted share to record a potential liability associated with the on-going litigation with Cytologix.
