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UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549





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FORM 10-Q





|x |  | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
|- |  | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2002.





OR





| ̈ |  | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
|- |  | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




For the transition period from
 to
.





Commission File Number: 000-20931





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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)








Delaware

94-2976937(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. employer identification no.)





1910 Innovation Park Drive Tucson, AZ

85737(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)





Registrants telephone number, including area code: (520) 887-2155





Not Applicable


(Formal name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed from last report)





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Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  x    No  ̈





Applicable Only to Issuers Involved in Bankruptcy


(Formal name, former address and
former fiscal year, if changed from last report)





Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all
documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by the court. Yes  ̈ No  ̈





Applicable Only to Corporate Issuers





Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date.





Common Stock, $0.001 par value16,337,594 shares as of July 29, 2002





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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.





INDEX TO FORM 10-Q





Part I.        Financial InformationItem 1.      Financial Statements (Unaudited)Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets June 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001

3Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Three and Six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001

4Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001

5Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

6Item 2.      
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

14Part II.        Other InformationItem 1.      
Legal Proceedings

17Item 4.      
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

20Item 6.      
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

20Signatures

21




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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.





CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


(in thousands except share data)


(Unaudited)





June 30, 2002


December 31, 2001ASSETSCurrent assets:Cash and cash equivalents

$
12,395


$
12,280Accounts receivable, net


22,056



20,448Inventories


14,365



11,763Prepaid expenses


653



520Deferred tax benefit, current portion


2,386



2,386Other current assets


981



752Total current assets


52,836



48,149Property and equipment, net


43,159



41,432Goodwill


3,068



3,068Intangibles, net


8,822



9,124Other assets


3,200



2,796Deferred tax benefit, long term portion


6,566



6,416Total assets

$
117,651


$
110,985LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITYCurrent liabilities:Accounts payable

$
5,914


$
4,733Other current liabilities


12,200



9,578Total current liabilities


18,114



14,311Long term debt


2,420



2,521Commitments and ContingenciesStockholders' equity:Common stock$.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 16,282,960 and 16,110,466 shares issued and outstanding
at June 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001, respectively


16



16Additional paid-in capital


143,454



140,587Accumulated deficit


(45,271
)


(45,194
)Accumulated other comprehensive loss


(482
)


(656
)Treasury stock40,000 shares, at cost


(600
)


(600
)Total stockholders' equity


97,117



94,153Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$
117,651


$
110,985





See accompanying notes




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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.





CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


(in thousands except per share data)


(Unaudited)





Three Months Ended June
30


Six Months Ended June
302002


2001


2002


2001Sales:Reagents and other

$
19,800


$
15,143


$
37,635


$
28,907Instruments


5,951



6,195



10,298



11,711Total net sales


25,751



21,338



47,933



40,618Cost of goods sold


7,885



7,051



14,695



13,226Gross profit


17,866



14,287



33,238



27,392Operating expenses:Research and development


3,849



3,850



7,471



7,156Selling, general and administrative


12,930



10,221



24,638



20,980Amortization of acquisition costs


396



382



808



754Income (loss) from operations


691



(166
)


321



(1,498
)Interest and other income (expense)


63



286



66



625Income (loss) before taxes


754



120



387



(873
)(Provision for) benefit from income taxes


(276
)


(105
)


(464
)


(239
)Net income (loss)

$
478


$
15


$
(77
)

$
(1,112
)Per share data:Net income (loss)Basic

$
0.03


$
0.00


$
(0.00
)

$
(0.07
)Diluted

$
0.03


$
0.00


$
(0.00
)

$
(0.07
)Shares used in computing per share data:Basic


16,258



15,970



16,225



15,790Diluted


16,622



16,722



16,225



15,790





See accompanying notes




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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.





CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


(in thousands)


(Unaudited)





Six Months Ended June
302002


2001Operating activities:Net income (loss)

$
(77
)

$
(1,112
)Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:Depreciation and amortization


3,819



3,194Changes in operating assets and liabilities


(1,998
)


(5,790
)Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities


1,744



(3,708
)Investing activities:Purchase of property and equipment


(4,411
)


(11,807
)Purchase of intangible assets, net


(158
)


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities


(4,569
)


(11,807
)Financing activities:Payments of debt


(101
)


(604
)Issuance of common stock


2,867



3,504Net cash provided by (used in) by financing activities


2,766



2,900Effect of exchange rate change on cash


174



41Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents


115



(12,574
)Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period


12,280



38,512Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$
12,395


$
25,938





See accompanying notes




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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.





NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


(Unaudited)





1.    Organization and Significant Accounting Policies





Organization:    Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (the Company) develops, manufactures and markets proprietary instruments and reagents that automate diagnostic
procedures used for molecular analysis of cells. At present, the Companys principal markets are North America, Europe, Japan and Australia.





Basis of Presentation:    The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for
the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2002 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2002. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes
included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.





Goodwill
and Intangible Assets:    In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (SFAS 141), Business Combinations, and No. 142 (SFAS 142), Goodwill and
Other Intangible Assets, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. Under the new rules, goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives will no longer be amortized, but will be subject to annual impairment
tests in accordance with the statements. Other intangible assets will continue to be amortized over their useful lives.





The Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2002. In accordance with SFAS 142, the Company ceased amortizing goodwill totaling $3.1 million as of that date.





Intangible assets primarily consist of developed technology, customer base, supply and license agreements, and patents. Intangible assets are carried at cost less
accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally four to twelve years. Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets as of June 30, 2002 for each of the five succeeding
fiscal years is as follows (all amounts are in millions): 2002-2004: $1.3, 2005: $1.0, 2006: $0.8.




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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.





NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)


(Unaudited)




1.    Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)





The following table presents the impact of SFAS 142 on net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share had the standard been in effect
for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2001 (in thousands, except per-share amounts):





Three Months Ended June 30


Six Months Ended June
302002

2001


2002


2001Net incomeas reported

$
478

$
15


$
(77
)

$
(1,112
)Adjustments:Amortization of goodwill





81







162Income tax effect





(14
)






(28
)Net incomeadjusted

$
478

$
82


$
(77
)

$
(978
)Basic net income per shareas reported

$
0.03

$
0.00


$
0.00


$
(0.07
)Basic net income per shareadjusted

$
0.03

$
0.01


$
0.00


$
(0.06
)Diluted net income per shareas reported

$
0.03

$
0.00


$
0.00


$
(0.07
)Diluted net income per shareadjusted

$
0.03

$
0.00


$
0.00


$
(0.06
)





The Company is required to perform goodwill impairment tests on an
annual basis at a minimum and more frequently under certain circumstances. As of June 30, 2002, no impairment of goodwill has been recognized. There can be no assurance that future goodwill impairment tests will not result in a charge to earnings.





Recent Accounting Pronouncements:    The FASB also recently issued SFAS No. 144 (SFAS
144), Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, that is applicable to financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. The FASBs new rules on asset impairment supersede SFAS No. 121
(SFAS 121), Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of, and portions of APB Opinion 30, Reporting the Results of Operations. This Standard provides a single accounting model for
long-lived assets to be disposed of and significantly changes the criteria that would have to be met to classify an asset as held-for-sale. Classification as held-for-sale is an important distinction since such assets are not depreciated and are
stated at the lower of fair




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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.





NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)


(Unaudited)




1.    Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)





value and carrying amount. This Standard also requires expected future operating losses from discontinued operations to be displayed in the period(s) in which
the losses are incurred, rather than as of the measurement date as presently required. The Company adopted SFAS 144 in the first quarter of fiscal 2002 with no effect to the Companys financial position or results of operations.





Reclassification:    Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current
period presentation.





2.    Inventories





Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):





June 30, 2002


December 31, 2001Raw material and work-in-process

$
5,173


$
5,611Finished goods


9,857



6,763Valuation reserve


(665
)


(611
)$
14,365


$
11,763





3.    Comprehensive Income (Loss)





The components of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ending June 30, 2002 and 2001 are as follows (in thousands):





Three Months Ended June
30

Six Months Ended June
302002

2001

2002


2001Net income (loss)

$
478

$
15

$
(77
)

$
(1,112
)Foreign currency translation


464


358


174



41Comprehensive income (loss)

$
942

$
373

$
97


$
(1,071
)





Accumulated comprehensive income (loss) consists exclusively of
foreign currency translation adjustments.




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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.





NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)


(Unaudited)




4.    Provision for Income Taxes





The Company did not recognize benefit for U.S. taxes for the three and six month periods ending June 30, 2002 as the deferred tax asset has not been assessed by management
as being more likely than not of being recovered in the foreseeable future. The tax expense reported consists of certain state franchise and international taxes.





5.    Line of Credit





The Company has a $10.0 million line of
credit arrangement with a bank which has been extended through August 20, 2002. Borrowings under the line are collateralized by the Companys receivables, inventories, machinery and equipment, and intellectual property. The line of credit
contains certain financial covenants (measured quarterly) with which the Company must comply, prohibits the payment of dividends on the Companys stock and limits the number of treasury shares the Company may purchase. The Company was in
compliance with these covenants as of June 30, 2002. In addition, borrowings are limited based on outstanding accounts receivables of the Company, which as of June 30, 2002 resulted in available borrowing of $10.0 million, of which, $2.2 million has
been committed in support of various standby letters of credit.





6.    Operating Segment and Enterprise Data





The Company has two reportable segments: North America (the United States and Canada) and International
(primarily France, Germany, and Japan). Segment information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001 are as follows (in thousands):





Three months ended June 30, 2002U.S.


International

Eliminations

TotalsSales to external customers

$
18,619


$
7,132

$


$
25,751Segment profit (loss)


(1,033
)


1,511





478





Three months ended June 30, 2001U.S.


International

Eliminations

TotalsSales to external customers

$
15,774


$
5,564

$


$
21,338Segment profit (loss)


(466
)


481

$



15




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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.





NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)


(Unaudited)




6.    Operating Segment and Enterprise Data (continued)





Six months ended June 30, 2002U.S.


International

Elimintions


TotalsSale to external customers

$
35,593


$
12,340

$



$
47,933Segment profit (loss)


(1,670
)


1,593






(77
)Segment assets


111,969



34,938


(29,256
)


117,651





Six months ended June 30, 2001U.S.


International

Elimintions


TotalsSales to external customers

$
29,379


$
11,239

$



$
40,618Segment profit (loss)


(2,150
)


1,038






(1,112
)Segment assets


100,139



18,905


(14,672
)


104,372





7.    Commitments and Contingencies





In January 1997, four individuals who are former BioTek noteholders who held in the aggregate approximately $1.1 million in principal
amount of BioTek notes filed an action, TSE, ET AL. v. VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC., ET AL. No. 97-37, against the Company and certain of its directors and stockholders in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint
alleged, among other things, that the company violated federal and California securities laws and engaged in common law fraud in connection with the BioTek shareholders consent to the February 1996 merger of BioTek into Ventana and the related
conversion of BioTek notes into Ventana notes. Plaintiffs sought compensatory damages in excess of the principal amount of their BioTek notes, as well as punitive damages, and fees and costs.





On April 25, 1997, plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint. The Amended Complaint made the same allegations as the original Complaint and added a claim under North
Carolina securities laws. On December 16, 1997, the Company filed a motion to dismiss plaintiffs Amended Complaint. On September 23, 1998, the Court issued its Order granting in part and denying in part the Companys motion to dismiss.
The Court dismissed plaintiffs claims based upon the North Carolina securities laws and Californias insider-trading statute. Plaintiffs surviving claims included violations of federal and California securities laws, common law
fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. On June 5, 2000, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment on all of plaintiffs remaining claims. On November 22, 2000, the Court issued an Order granting the Companys motion for summary judgment
in its entirety. Plaintiffs subsequently filed a notice of appeal on December 8, 2000. The appeal was fully briefed as of August 31, 2001 and the hearing of the appeal took place before the Third Circuit on February 4, 2002. On July 11, 2002, the
Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of plaintiffs claims. To date, the plaintiffs have not sought further appellate review.




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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.





NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)


(Unaudited)




7.    Commitments and Contingencies (continued)





On June 15, 1999, the Company filed a proof of claim against Oncor, Inc. in an action pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware titled
IN RE ONCOR, INC., No. 9-437 (JJF). The Companys claims arise out of an Asset Purchase Agreement dated November 23, 1998 and related documents wherein the Company acquired Oncors unincorporated In Situ Hybridization Technology Division
and rights related thereto. In February 2000, the Company filed an amended proof of claim alleging, inter alia, that Oncor breached the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement by purporting to transfer or assign to the Company Oncors rights
under a license agreement, which were not transferable or assignable under the circumstances then existing. The amended proof of claim seeks damages of no less than approximately $7.3 million. On August 17, 2000, Oncor filed an Omnibus Objection to
Claims, which included the Companys claims. However, the Omnibus Objection did not set forth any specific allegations with respect to the Companys claims. On July 20, 2001, the Company filed a response to the Omnibus Objection
reasserting its original claim. On December 17, 2001, the Company filed a motion for partial summary judgment on the issue of liability. On March 8, 2002, Oncor filed an amended objection to the Companys claim. The court has not yet ruled on
either the Companys summary judgment motion or motion to strike. The Company continues to believe its claims are meritorious and will prevail, however, the results of the proceedings are uncertain and there can be no assurance to that effect.





On December 9, 1999, the Company filed an action, VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. v. CYTOLOGIX CORP., No. CIV99-606
TUC FRZ, alleging patent infringement seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief in the United States District Court in Tucson. The original complaint was amended March 21, 2000 by the addition of another patent to the litigation. On July 1,
2002, the court entered a final judgment approving a Settlement Agreement between the parties reflecting their agreement that the patent in suit, United States Patent 5,355,439, is valid and enforceable, that the ARTISAN  staining system does not infringe the 439 patent, that no further relief including costs or
attorneys fees will be granted either party and that all existing claims and counterclaims may be dismissed with prejudice.





CytoLogix Corp. has filed three separate actions against the Company in various courts. The first action is CYTOLOGIX v. VENTANA, Case No. 00-12231 REK, filed Oct. 27, 2000 in federal district court in Boston. The complaint claims,
under state-law based unfair competition law, that Ventana misappropriated CytoLogixs trade secrets related to individual slide heating and incorporated such secrets into the Companys Discovery and BenchMark instruments. CytoLogix seeks
assignment of the Companys patent applications relating to individual slide heating claiming the idea, treble damages (unspecified amount) and an injunction against the Companys further sales of Discovery and BenchMark instruments.
Cytologix filed a motion to amend their complaint to add the related claims of attempted monopolization and monopolization under the Sherman Act, and various Lanham Act violations. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the claims
in this action and that resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operation; however, the results of the proceeding are uncertain and there can be no assurance to that
effect. The trial has been postponed until the third or fourth quarter of 2002; however no trial date has been set.




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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.





NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)


(Unaudited)




7.    Commitments and Contingencies (continued)





The second is CYTOLOGIX v. VENTANA, Case No. 4 Ni 54/00 (EU) (Nullity suit), filed November 9, 2000 in the German Federal Patent Court, Munich, Germany. In a decision
at the oral hearing March 20, 2002, the German Federal Patent Court ruled that the Companys German patent no. DE 69117052.5, which covers various aspects of the Companys previous generation GEN II automated slide staining system, is
invalid. The technology addressed by the German patent is unrelated to the technologies involved in any of the other patent litigations, including the individual slide heating technology that is the subject of the Boston-based patent litigation. The
decision affects the Companys ability to enforce this patent in Germany subject to an appeal and final decision on validity. On May 22, 2002, the Company filed an appeal to the German Federal Court of Justice seeking that the previous judgment
be set aside, and that the complaint be dismissed substituting an amended claim into the patent. The Company has been advised by German patent counsel that the appeal process will take up to two years; therefore, the Company does not expect a
decision until the second or third quarter of 2004.





The third action is CYTOLOGIX v. VENTANA, Case No. 01-10178
REK, filed January 30, 2001 in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Massachusetts. This complaint claims that the Company infringed on CytoLogixs patent No. 6,180,061, entitled Moving Platform Slide Stainer with Heating
Elements, and was later amended to add U.S. Patent No. 6,183,693, issued February 7, 2001, entitled Random Access Slide Stainer with Independent Slide Heating Regulation, both assigned to CytoLogix Corporation. CytoLogix seeks
assignment of the Companys patent applications claiming the independent slide heater idea, treble damages (unspecified amount) and an injunction against the Companys further sales of Discovery and BenchMark instruments. Cytologix filed a
motion amending their complaint to add the related claims of attempted monopolization and monopolization under the Sherman Act, and various Lanham Act violations. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the claims in this action;
however the results of the proceeding are uncertain and there can be no assurance to that effect. The trial has been postponed until the third or fourth quarter of 2002; however no trial date has been set. This trial is concurrent with Case No.
CV12231 REK above.





On November 19, 2001 a patent infringement claim was filed against the Company titled DIGENE
CORPORATION v. VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC., (Case No. 01-752) in Delaware Federal District Court. This complaint alleges that the Company infringed two US patents held by Digene, U.S. 4,849,331 and 4,849,332 by the Companys
INFORM  HPV High-risk and Low-risk probe products. The Company filed an answer denying the
allegations on February 4, 2002. The parties have filed cross-motions for summary judgment. No date has been scheduled for the hearing. Digene seeks, among other remedies, an injunction against the sale of the Companys INFORM products. This
litigation is in a very early stage. However, the Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the infringement claims of Digene and intends to defend itself vigorously, however the results of the proceedings are uncertain and there can be
no assurance to that effect.





On March 8, 2002, Ventana filed a new patent infringement action against Cytologix
in Arizona Federal District Court, Case No. (CIV02-117TUCRCC), alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,352,861 (Automated Biological Reaction Apparatus) by the making, using and




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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.





NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)


(Unaudited)




7.    Commitments and Contingencies (continued)





selling of the ARTISAN  automated
staining system. The suit seeks injunctive relief including a preliminary injunction against the continued making, using and selling of the instrument. On April 19, 2002, the court issued an Order that reflects the agreement of Cytologix to stop
marketing and selling the ARTISAN  automated staining system in its infringing embodiment until the
matter is decided at the preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for August 12, 2002. On July 2, 2002, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment of patent infringement. The Company believes its claims are meritorious and will prevail,
however, results of the proceedings are uncertain and there can be no assurance to that effect.





With respect to
each of the matters above, managements estimate of the potential loss, if any, is set forth therein unless such an estimate is not possible. It is the opinion of management the ultimate resolution of these contingencies will not have a
material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.




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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.





Item 2.Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations





The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (Ventana or the Company) should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements and related Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. This Report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements, by their very nature, contain risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, actual events or results may differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements. A wide variety of factors
could cause or contribute to such differences and could adversely impact revenues, profitability, cash flows and capital needs. Such factors, many of which are beyond the Companys control, include the following: market acceptance of new
automated histology products, continued success in asset management, continued improvements in our manufacturing efficiencies, on-schedule launches of our new products, currency exchange rate variability, adverse determinations in various
outstanding litigations, competition and competitive pressures on pricing and general economic conditions in the United States and in the regions served by the Company. A more complete listing of cautionary statements and risk factors is contained
in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.





Results of Operations





Net Sales





Net sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 increased 21% and 18% versus the same periods in 2001 to $25.8 million and
$47.9 million from $21.3 million and $40.6 million, respectively. Net sales growth was attributable to 31% and 30% increases in reagents and non-instrument sales for the three and six month periods, respectively. This increase in sales is driven by
the growth in the underlying installed base. Instrument sales decreased 4% and 12% during the three and six month periods, respectively, due to the recognition of $0.9 million and $3.6 million in the three and six month periods in 2001 related to
improved installation processes implemented in the first quarter of 2001 after the adoption of SAB 101 in the fourth quarter of 2000. Sales increased in the 2002 three and six month periods compared to the same periods in 2001 across both geographic
segments: 18% and 21% in the US ($18.6 million and $35.6 million versus $15.8 million and $29.4 million) and 28% and 10% internationally ($7.1 million and $12.3 million versus $5.6 million and $11.2 million).





Gross Profit





Gross profit for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 increased to $17.9 million and $33.2 million, respectively, from $14.3 million and $27.4 million for the same periods in 2001. The Companys gross margin
percentage for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 increased 2 percentage points to 69% primarily due to the sales growth in higher margin reagent sales.




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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.





Item 2.Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations


(continued)





Research and Development





Research and development spending for the three months ended June 30, 2002 of $3.8 million was essentially the same as the prior year period. Research and development spending for the six months ended
June 30, 2002 increased to $7.5 million from $7.2 million as a result of several major platform development projects underway.





Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A)





Presented below is a summary of
SG&A expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001 (in thousands):





Three Months Ended June 30


Six Months Ended June 302002


2001


2002


2001$

% Net Sales


$

% Net Sales


$

% Net Sales


$

% Net SalesSales and marketing

$
9,328

36
%

$
8,540

40
%

$
18,100

38
%

$
17,453

43
%Administration


3,602

14
%


1,681

8
%


6,538

13
%


3,527

9
%Total SG&A

$
12,930

50
%

$
10,221

48
%

$
24,638

51
%

$
20,980

52
%





SG&A expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002
increased to $12.9 million and $24.6 million, respectively, from $10.2 million and $21.0 million for the same periods in 2001. The increase is attributed to higher facility and outside service expenses including costs associated with various legal
matters. In addition, the Company has invested in the sales and marketing organizations to promote future sales growth.





Amortization of Goodwill





In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (SFAS 141), Business Combinations, and No. 142 (SFAS 142), Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. Under the new rules,
goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives will no longer be amortized, but will be subject to annual impairment tests in accordance with the statements. Other intangible assets will continue to be amortized over their useful
lives.





The Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2002. In accordance with SFAS 142, the Company
ceased amortizing goodwill totaling $3.1 million as of that date.





Intangible assets are carried at cost less
accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally four to twelve years. Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets as of June 30, 2002 for each of the five




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Item 2.Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations


(continued)





succeeding fiscal years is as follows (all amounts are in millions): 2002-2004: $1.3, 2005: $1.0, 2006: $0.8.





The Company is required to perform goodwill impairment tests on an annual basis at a minimum and more frequently under certain circumstances. As of June 30, 2002, no
impairment of goodwill has been recognized. There can be no assurance that future goodwill impairment tests will not result in a charge to earnings.





Amortization of Intangible Assets





Intangible assets
consist primarily of developed technology, customer base, supply and license agreements, and patents. Such assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives ranging from four to twelve years, resulting in quarterly costs
approximating $0.4 million.





Interest and Other Income (Expense)





Interest and other income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 decreased to $63,000 and $66,000, respectively, from $286,000
and $625,000 for the same periods in 2001. The decrease is primarily due to lower average investment balances in 2002 compared to 2001 resulting from the 2001 investment in the Companys new facility in Tucson, Arizona.





Liquidity and Capital Resources





As of June 30, 2002, the Companys principal source of liquidity consisted of cash and cash equivalents of $12.4 million. The Company also had an unused $10.0 million revolving bank credit facility of which $2.2 million has been
committed in support of various standby letters of credit. In addition, borrowings under the Companys bank credit facility are secured by a pledge of substantially all of the Companys assets and bear interest at the banks prime
rate.





During the six months ended June 30, 2002, net cash used in operating and investing activities decreased to
$2.8 million versus $15.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2001. The decrease was primarily associated with lower spending on property and equipment due to the completion of our new facility in 2001.





We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, line of credit and cash generated from operations will satisfy funding requirements
including working capital and capital expenditures for the foreseeable future.





Foreign Currency Risk





The value of the U.S. Dollar affects our financial results. Changes in exchange rates may positively or negatively affect our revenues,
gross margins, operating expenses and shareholders equity as expressed in U.S. Dollars. We have determined that hedging of non-U.S.




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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.





Item 2.Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations


(continued)





dollar net monetary assets is not cost effective and instead attempt to minimize currency exposure risk through working capital management. There can be no assurance that such an approach
will be successful, especially if a significant or sudden decline occurs in the value of local currencies. We conduct a growing portion of our business in the Euro, the Japanese Yen and the Australian Dollar.





PART IIOTHER INFORMATION





Item 1.Legal Proceedings





In January 1997, four individuals who are former BioTek
noteholders who held in the aggregate approximately $1.1 million in principal amount of BioTek notes filed an action, TSE, ET AL. v. VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC., ET AL. No. 97-37, against us and certain of our directors and stockholders in the
United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint alleged, among other things, that we violated federal and California securities laws and engaged in common law fraud in connection with the BioTek shareholders consent to
the February 1996 merger of BioTek into Ventana and the related conversion of BioTek notes into Ventana notes. Plaintiffs sought compensatory damages in excess of the principal amount of their BioTek notes, as well as punitive damages, and fees and
costs.





On April 25, 1997, plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint. The Amended Complaint made the same allegations
as the original Complaint and added a claim under North Carolina securities laws. On December 16, 1997, we filed a motion to dismiss plaintiffs Amended Complaint. On September 23, 1998, the Court issued its Order granting in part and denying
in part our motion to dismiss. The Court dismissed plaintiffs claims based upon the North Carolina securities laws and Californias insider-trading statute. Plaintiffs surviving claims included violations of federal and California
securities laws, common law fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. On June 5, 2000, we filed a motion for summary judgment on all of plaintiffs remaining claims. On November 22, 2000, the Court issued an Order granting our motion for summary
judgment in its entirety. Plaintiffs subsequently filed a notice of appeal on December 8, 2000. The appeal was fully briefed as of August 31, 2001 and the hearing of the appeal took place before the Third Circuit on February 4, 2002. On July 11,
2002, the Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of plaintiffs claims. To date, plaintiffs have not sought further appellate review.





On June 15, 1999, we filed a proof of claim against Oncor, Inc. in an action pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware titled IN RE ONCOR, INC., No. 9-437 (JJF). Our claims arise out of an
Asset Purchase Agreement dated November 23, 1998 and related documents wherein we acquired Oncors unincorporated In Situ Hybridization Technology Division and rights related thereto. In February 2000, we filed an amended proof of claim
alleging, inter alia, that Oncor breached the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement by purporting to transfer or assign to us Oncors rights under a license agreement, which were not transferable or assignable under the circumstances then
existing. The amended proof of claim seeks damages of no less than approximately $7.3 million. On August 17, 2000, Oncor filed an




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VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.





Omnibus Objection to Claims, which included our claims. However, the Omnibus Objection did not set forth any specific allegations with respect to our claims. On
July 20, 2001, we filed our response to the Omnibus Objection reasserting our original claim. On December 17, 2001, we filed a motion for partial summary judgment on the issue of liability. On March 8, 2002, Oncor filed an amended objection to our
claim. The court has not ruled on either our summary judgment motion or motion to strike. We continue to believe our claims are meritorious and that we will prevail, however, the results of the proceedings are uncertain and there can be no assurance
to that effect.





On December 9, 1999, we filed an action, VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. v. CYTOLOGIX CORP., No.
CIV99-606 TUC FRZ, alleging patent infringement seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief in the United States District Court in Tucson. The original complaint was amended March 21, 2000 by the addition of another patent to the litigation. On
July 1, 2002, the court entered a final judgment approving a Settlement Agreement between the parties reflecting their agreement that the patent in suit, United States Patent 5,355,439, is valid and enforceable, that the ARTISAN  staining system does not infringe the 439 patent, that no further relief including costs or
attorneys fees will be granted either party and that all existing claims and counterclaims may be dismissed with prejudice.





CytoLogix Corp. has filed three separate actions against us in various courts. The first action is CYTOLOGIX v. VENTANA, Case No. 00-12231 REK, filed Oct. 27, 2000 in federal district court in Boston. The complaint claims, under
state-law based unfair competition law, that Ventana misappropriated CytoLogixs trade secrets related to individual slide heating and incorporated such secrets into our Discovery and BenchMark instruments. CytoLogix seeks assignment of our
patent applications relating to individual slide heating claiming the idea, treble damages (unspecified amount) and an injunction against our further sales of Discovery and BenchMark instruments. Cytologix filed a motion to amend their complaint to
add the related claims of attempted monopolization and monopolization under the Sherman Act, and various Lanham Act violations. We believe that we have meritorious defenses to the claims in this action and that resolution of this matter will not
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operation; however, the results of the proceeding are uncertain and there can be no assurance to that effect. The trial has been postponed until the third or fourth
quarter of 2002; however no trial date has been set.





The second is CYTOLOGIX v. VENTANA, Case No. 4 Ni 54/00 (EU)
(Nullity suit), filed November 9, 2000 in the German Federal Patent Court, Munich, Germany. In a decision at the oral hearing March 20, 2002, the German Federal Patent Court ruled that our German patent no. DE 69117052.5, which covers various
aspects of our previous generation GEN II automated slide staining system, is invalid. The technology addressed by the German patent is unrelated to the technologies involved in any of the other patent litigations, including the individual slide
heating technology that is the subject of the Boston-based patent litigation. The decision affects our ability to enforce this patent in Germany subject to an appeal and final decision on validity. On May 22, 2002, we filed an appeal to the German
Federal Court of Justice seeking that the previous judgment be set aside, and that the complaint be dismissed substituting an amended claim into the patent. We have been advised by German patent counsel that the appeal process will take up to two
years; therefore, we do not expect a decision until the second or third quarter of 2004.




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The third action is CYTOLOGIX v. VENTANA, Case No. 01-10178 REK, filed January 30, 2001 in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of
Massachusetts. This complaint claims that we infringed on CytoLogixs patent No. 6,180,061, entitled Moving Platform Slide Stainer withHeating Elements, and was later amended to add U.S. Patent No. 6,183,693, issued February 7,
2001, entitled Random Access Slide Stainer with Independent Slide Heating Regulation, both assigned to CytoLogix Corporation. CytoLogix seeks assignment of our patent applications claiming the independent slide heater idea, treble
damages (unspecified amount) and an injunction against our further sales of Discovery and BenchMark instruments. Cytologix filed a motion amending their complaint to add the related claims of attempted monopolization and monopolization under the
Sherman Act, and various Lanham Act violations. We believe that we have meritorious defenses to the claims in this action; however the results of the proceeding are uncertain and there can be no assurance to that effect. The trial has been postponed
until the third or fourth quarter of 2002; however no trial date has been set. This trial is concurrent with Case No. CV12231 REK above.





On November 19, 2001 a patent infringement claim was filed against us titled DIGENE CORPORATION v. VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC., (Case No. 01-752) in Delaware Federal District Court. This complaint alleges that we infringed
two US patents held by Digene, U.S. 4,849,331 and 4,849,332 by our INFORM  HPV High-risk and
Low-risk probe products. We filed an answer denying the allegations on February 4, 2002. The parties have filed cross-motions for summary judgment. No date has been schedule for the hearing. Digene seeks, among other remedies, an injunction against
the sale of our INFORM products. This litigation is in a very early stage. However, we believe that we have meritorious defenses to the infringement claims of Digene and we intend to defend ourselves vigorously, however the results of the
proceedings are uncertain and there can be no assurance to that effect.





On March 8, 2002, we filed a new patent
infringement action against Cytologix in Arizona Federal District Court, Case No. (CIV02-117TUCRCC), alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,352,861 (Automated Biological Reaction Apparatus) by the making, using and selling of the
ARTISAN  automated staining system. The suit seeks injunctive relief including a preliminary
injunction against the continued making, using and selling of the instrument. On April 19, 2002, the court issued an Order that reflects the agreement of Cytologix to stop marketing and selling the ARTISAN  automated staining system in its infringing embodiment until the matter is decided at the preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for August
12, 2002. On July 2, 2002, we filed a motion for summary judgment of patent infringement. We believe our claims are meritorious and that we will prevail, however, results of the proceedings are uncertain and there can be no assurance to that effect.





With respect to each of the matters above, managements estimate of the potential loss, if any, is set forth
therein unless such an estimate is not possible. It is the opinion of management the ultimate resolution of these contingencies will not have material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.




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Item 4.Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders





We held our 2002 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders on May 3, 2002. At the Annual Meeting, Jack W. Schuler, John Patience and Thomas M. Grogan were elected as directors to serve until the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Continuing as directors with terms expiring at the
2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders were Christopher M. Gleeson, Rex J. Bates and Edward M. Giles. Continuing as directors with terms expiring at the 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders were Mark C. Miller and James R. Weersing.





The shareholders also approved an amendment to the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, increasing the number of shares reserved
for purchase by 300,000 shares and ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent accountants to examine our financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2002.





The following table shows the votes for, against or withheld and those abstaining from each of such matters at the Annual Meeting:





Votes For

Votes Against or Withheld

AbstentionsElection of directors:Jack W. Schuler

14,544,815

112,449

John Patience

14,543,880

113,384

Thomas M. Grogan

14,564,858

92,406

Approval of amendment to 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

14,338,835

308,596

9,833Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP

14,463,218

189,454

4,592





Item 6.Exhibits and reports on Form 8-K





(a)  ExhibitsNo
Exhibits





(b)  Reports on Form 8-K.





No reports were filed on Form 8-K during the quarter ended June 30, 2002.




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SIGNATURE





Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.





VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.By:

/s/Nicholas Malden Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary





July 30, 2002




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