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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001134554-06-000001.txt : 20060504
<SEC-HEADER>0001134554-06-000001.hdr.sgml : 20060504
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060504195611
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001134554-06-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060502
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060504
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060504

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000893160
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				942976937
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1910 INNOVATION PARK DRIVE
		CITY:			TUCSON
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85755
		BUSINESS PHONE:		800-227-2155

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1910 INNOVATION PARK DRIVE
		CITY:			TUCSON
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85755

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MASSARANY HANY
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001134554

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20931
		FILM NUMBER:		06810314

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1910 INNOVATION PARK DR
		CITY:			TUCSON
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85737
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 155 shares acquired June 2005, 164 shares acquired September 2005, 147 shares acquired December 2005 and 149 shares acquired March 2006 under Ventana's Employee Stock Purchase Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Stock Options vest 20% after 12 months and 1/60th of the shares vest last day of each month thereafter with full vesting on January 27th, 2008</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Stock Options vest 20% after 12 months and 1/60th of the shares vest last day of each month thereafter with full vesting on January 22, 2006.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Nicholas Malden as Attorney if Fact for Hany Massarany</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-05-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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