First Half of 2012: SSB Continues on the Growth Track

Regulatory News:

¹⁾ Acc. to customers' location

²⁾ Underlying

³⁾ Excluding amortization and fair value adjustments of hedging instruments

The Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group (Paris:DIM) uses earnings before interest, taxes and amortization (EBITA) as the key figure for measuring the performance and profitability of the Group. Amortization refers only to any potential amortization of goodwill and of the intangible assets measured within the scope of purchase price allocation according to IFRS 3 "Business Combinations." The key indicator "underlying EBITA" corresponds to the EBITA adjusted for non-operating items.

Dynamic Business Expansion

In the first half of 2012, Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB), a leading supplier for the biopharmaceutical industry, achieved double-digit growth in order intake and sales revenue. Single-use products, especially filters and bags, contributed substantially to these results. All regions reported strong gains in sales, with North America posting the highest growth.

Profits Increase by One-Fourth

Sartorius Stedim Biotech further increased its strong profitability. Underlying earnings jumped 26.3% from 38.6 million euros to 48.8 million euros; the respective margin rose from 16.8% to 17.9%. Extraordinary expenses amounted to 3.9 million euros. Underlying earnings per share were at 2.04 euros, 26.6% up from 1.61 euros in the first half of 2011.

All Key Financial Indicators at Comfortable Levels

Reflected by an equity ratio of 53.4%, a gearing ratio of 0.4 and a net-debt-to-underlying-EBITDA ratio of 1.3, the financial position of the Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group has continued to remain strong.

Management Lifts Full-Year Guidance

Based on SSB’s strong first-half results, management considerably raises its full-year targets for 2012. Sales revenue is now expected to grow by around 10% (previous guidance: 6% to 8%) in constant currencies. Provided that currency exchange rates remain favorable as in the first half of 2012, underlying EBITA is projected to rise by around 15% (previous guidance: 6% to 8%).

This press release contains statements about the future development of the Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group. We cannot guarantee that the content of these statements will actually apply because these statements are based upon assumptions and estimates that harbor certain risks and uncertainties.

Conference Call and Webcast

Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group, will discuss the results with analysts and investors on Wednesday, July 25, 2012, at 3:30 p.m. Central European Time (CET), in a teleconference. You may dial into the teleconference starting at 3:15 p.m. CET at the following numbers:

Germany: +49 (0)69 3807 89637
France: +33 (0)1 70 48 01 63
UK: +44(0)20 3106 7162
USA: +1646 254 3370

The dial-in code is: 4528852

To view the webcast or presentation, log onto: www.sartorius.com

A profile of Sartorius Stedim Biotech

Sartorius Stedim Biotech is a leading provider of cutting-edge equipment and services for the development, quality assurance and production processes of the biopharmaceutical industry. Its integrated solutions covering fermentation, cell cultivation, filtration, purification, fluid management and lab technologies are supporting the biopharmaceutical industry around the world to develop and produce drugs safely, timely and economically. Sartorius Stedim Biotech focuses on single-use technologies and value-added services to meet the rapidly changing technology requirements of the industry it serves. Strongly rooted in the scientific community and closely allied with customers and technology partners, the company is dedicated to its philosophy of "turning science into solutions.”

Headquartered in Aubagne, France, Sartorius Stedim Biotech is listed on the Eurolist of Euronext Paris. With its own manufacturing and R&D sites in Europe, North America and Asia and a global network of sales companies, Sartorius Stedim Biotech enjoys a worldwide presence. Its key manufacturing and R&D site is in Germany. The company employs approx. 2,850 people, and in 2011 earned sales revenue of 477.3 million euros.