Cyanotech Announces Clinical Trial Results for BioAstin; BioAstin Prevents Knee and Joint Soreness and Increases Immune System Response after Strenuous Exercise.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 6, 2001

Cyanotech Corporation (Nasdaq NMS:CYAN), the world leader in producing high-value, natural products from microalgae, announced today that its BioAstin(R) natural astaxanthin product has been linked in a human clinical trial with preventing knee soreness after strenuous leg exercises. The study also showed a significantly stronger immune system response compared to the control group after the exercise activity.

Preliminary results from a double blind, placebo controlled study conducted at the University of Memphis, showed a statistically significant difference in the onset of knee soreness during the 48 hours following intense leg lifting. The placebo group reported an increase in knee soreness while the group taking BioAstin experienced no increase. In addition, the BioAstin group showed a significantly stronger immune system response compared to the control after the exercise activity. The increase in white blood cells and neutrophils indicated a possible mechanism for a beneficial shortened recovery time when using BioAstin in conjunction with exercise programs.

Although the trial protocol and testing of biochemical markers were arranged to assess the effect on delayed onset muscle soreness, muscle soreness benefits measured for BioAstin compared to the control did not show statistical significance. The positive response for preventing knee soreness was an unexpected finding. Further research will be required to establish the mechanism of action for this benefit.

"While we had expected the researchers to find a muscle soreness effect, we were delighted that our BioAstin product appears to prevent knee soreness," said Gerald R. Cysewski, Ph.D., chairman, president and CEO. "Ultimately this benefit may have far greater market significance, since muscle soreness is often viewed by athletes as a positive indicator while joint pain is quite negative. We are planning further study of this phenomenon, which expands the applications for BioAstin in the $1.6 billion sports nutrition industry."

Dr. Cysewski added, "With earlier clinical data showing BioAstin providing a protective effect against sunburn, the current results build upon the proven benefits of BioAstin as a sports nutrition supplement."

Cyanotech also reported on its other investigations into the health benefits of natural astaxanthin for humans. Cyanotech's BioAstin product is a proprietary formulation of the microalgae, Haematococcus pluvialis, which contains high levels of natural astaxanthin. Future tests envision formulations of BioAstin and other natural components that combine to target specific health areas.

-- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome -- Preliminary results from 45 of 60 persons enrolled
in a study evaluating BioAstin's effect on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are
inconclusive and no benefit has been established. However, Cyanotech has
received testimonials from numerous consumers suggesting positive health
benefits for CTS. The Company intends to complete the current study while
planning for a second investigation of CTS with a revised protocol.

-- Blood Lipids -- Preliminary results from an eight-week, double blind,
placebo-controlled clinical trial with humans to measure BioAstin's
effectiveness in reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol while increasing HDL (good)
cholesterol are inconclusive and no benefit has been established. However, as a
result of the extensive blood analysis, this study reaffirmed the safety of
BioAstin for use as a dietary supplement.

-- Sunscreen -- Positive results were received from a clinical evaluation of
BioAstin to measure its effectiveness for providing sunscreen from ultraviolet
light. The study involved 21 healthy male and female subjects, ages 18 to 60
years old, with fair to average skin tones. For each subject, a baseline
exposure to ultraviolet light was established that caused minimal skin
reddening. Subjects then consumed BioAstin daily for a period of two weeks and
their skin sensitivity to ultraviolet light retested. The study's conclusion
was that BioAstin significantly increased the amount of ultraviolet light
energy required to produce skin reddening following daily ingestion of BioAstin
for two weeks. Cyanotech is preparing for a second, more extensive study of
BioAstin as a systemic sunscreen.

-- Antioxidant -- Cyanotech received the final report on a study conducted by
Creighton University, School of Pharmacy, that compared the in-vitro oxygen
free radical scavenging ability of BioAstin with other commercially available
antioxidants. The study showed, and confirmed, that BioAstin natural
astaxanthin was a significantly more potent antioxidant than vitamin C, vitamin
E, beta-carotene, pycnogenol, grape seed extract, and synthetic astaxanthin.
Results from this study are expected to be published by the researcher.

Cyanotech Corporation, the world's leader in microalgae technology, produces high-value natural products from microalgae, and is the world's largest commercial producer of natural astaxanthin (pronounced "asta-zan-thin") from microalgae. Products include BioAstin(TM) natural astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant with expanding applications as a human nutraceutical; NatuRose(R) natural astaxanthin for the aquaculture and animal feed industry; Spirulina Pacifica(R), a nutrient-rich dietary supplement; and phycobiliproteins, which are fluorescent pigments used in the immunological diagnostics market. Spirulina Pacifica and BioAstin are sold directly online through www.nutrex-hawaii.com and through resellers worldwide. Corporate and product information is available at www.cyanotech.com.