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Ventana Medical Systems (VMSI)
Based in Tucson, Ventana Medical is becoming a big player in the fast-growing market for diagnostic tools. The company makes machines that automate the process of preparing tissue samples to be tested for cancer and other infectious diseases. Profits have grown an average of 97% annually over the past three years, to $25.9 million, in the most recent 12 months, on sales that have risen 24% to $208.2 million. Investors who have ridden this growth wave are thrilled. No wonder: $1,000 invested in Ventana three years ago would be worth more than $4,500 today. Just launched in mid-May is Symphony, a new product for staining tissue samples.
Company Info |
|
| 2005 Rank | 81 |
| Market Value* ($ Millions) | 1,650.4 |
| Sales* ($ Millions) | 208.2 |
| Sales Growth (3-yr. avg. annual) |
23.8 % |
| Profits* ($ Millions) | 25.9 |
| Profit Growth (3-yr. avg. annual) | 96.8 % |
| Return on Inv. Capital (3-yr.) | 12.2 % |
| Share Price 12-Mo. Hi/Lo | 49/34 |
| Share Price As of 4/28/06 | 49 |
| Return on Equity | 17.4 % |
| P/E Ratio | 69 |
| No. of Employees | 802 |
| Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| CURRENT MARKET INFO | VMSI > |
| COMPANY WEB SITE > | |
| Location | Tucson, Ariz. |
| Phone | 520 887-2155 |
*Trailing 12 months
Stock price data as of 4/28/06
DATA: Standard & Poor's Compustat
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Company Snapshot
Ventana Medical Systems engages in the development, manufacture, and marketing of instrument-reagent systems that automate slide staining in anatomical pathology and drug discovery laboratories worldwide. Its clinical systems are used in anatomical pathology labs in analyzing human tissue to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. The company's drug discovery systems are used by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to accelerate the discovery of new drug targets and to evaluate the safety of new drug compounds. In addition, it markets consumable products, including reagents and other accessories. Its products are used in immunohistochemistry staining to assist in the diagnosis of cancer and the determination of various treatment options; in situ hybridization staining to assist in the diagnosis of infectious diseases or genetic mutations that are associated with the presence of cancer; and special stains staining to assist in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. The company's customers comprise hospital-based anatomical pathology labs, independent reference labs, the drug discovery labs of pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government labs, medical research centers, and resellers serving these entities. It offers its products primarily in North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia. Ventana Medical Systems was founded in 1985 and is based in Tucson, Ariz.
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