• News release

Liestal, Switzerland, February 28, 2013 - Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) announced today that following the voluntary withdrawal of Catena^® from the Canadian market and the earlier negative decision of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) on the Market Authorization Application for Raxone^® in Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), the Board has decided to consider strategic options including product licensing for Raxone^® in LHON and the possibility of a merger or acquisition. Santhera has already received expressions of interest from third parties and has retained Piper Jaffray Limited to assist the Company in this process.

The publication of the financial results for 2012 will be postponed and, together with the financial outlook for 2013, will now be provided within the timelines required by the SIX regulations. Accordingly, the Company will therefore postpone the Annual Shareholders' Meeting previously planned for April 22, 2013.

Shareholders should note that whilst the Board believes that it is in the best interest of shareholders to explore these options and take the steps described, there can be no guarantee that any transaction can be consummated.

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About Santhera

Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) is a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical products for the treatment of orphan neuromuscular and mitochondrial diseases, areas of high unmet medical need with no current therapies. For further information, please visit www.santhera.com.

For further information, contact

Thomas Meier, Chief Executive Officer

Phone: +41 61 906 89 64

thomas.meier@santhera.com

Disclaimer / Forward-looking statements

This communication does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities of Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG. This publication may contain certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company and its business. Such statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.