EXHIBIT 99.1


[SANTARUS, INC.(R) LOGO]

COMPANY CONTACT:                         INVESTOR CONTACT:
Martha L. Hough                          Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc.
VP Finance & Investor Relations          Jody Cain (jcain@lhai.com)
(858) 314-5824                           Mariann Ohanesian (mohanesian@lhai.com)
Debra P. Crawford                        (310) 691-7100
Chief Financial Officer
(858) 314-5708

For Immediate Release



                         SANTARUS TO RAISE $31.2 MILLION
                  IN REGISTERED DIRECT OFFERING OF COMMON STOCK

SAN DIEGO (AUGUST 17, 2005) - Santarus, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNTS), a specialty
pharmaceutical company focused on therapies for gastrointestinal diseases and
disorders, today announced that it has obtained commitments to purchase shares
of its common stock in a registered direct offering for gross proceeds of
approximately $31.2 million. Under the terms of the transaction, Santarus will
sell approximately 7,350,000 shares of its common stock at $4.25 per share to a
group of institutional investors. The closing of the offering is expected to
take place on August 22, 2005, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing
conditions.

SG Cowen & Co., LLC acted as lead placement agent and RBC Capital Markets
Corporation acted as co-placement agent for the transaction. The shares of
common stock may only be offered by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final
prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus can be obtained from SG
Cowen & Co., LLC at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10020,
fax +1-646-562-1269.

A shelf registration statement relating to these securities was declared
effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 16, 2005. This press
release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to
buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any
state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any
such state or jurisdiction.

ABOUT SANTARUS

Santarus, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring,
developing and commercializing proprietary products to enhance the quality of
life for patients with gastrointestinal diseases and disorders.

Santarus cautions you that statements included in this press release that are
not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. The
inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a
representation by Santarus that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual
results may differ materially from those set forth in this release due to the
risks and uncertainties inherent in Santarus' business, including, without
limitation: Santarus' ability to close the offering and, if it is able to close
the offering, the level of its share price, which may decline; and other risks
detailed in Santarus' prior press releases as well as in public periodic filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking
statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and
Santarus undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to
reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. This caution is made
under the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Santarus(R) is a trademark of Santarus, Inc.

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