Cyanotech Files Patent Application for Prevention of Sunburn Using Astaxanthin.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii--(BW HealthWire)--April 13, 2000

Cyanotech Corporation (Nasdaq NMS:CYAN), the world leader in producing high-value, natural products from microalgae, has filed a U.S. patent application based on the protective properties of astaxanthin to retard and prevent sunburn by UV light.

The Company found in a preliminary study that, when two to four milligrams of natural astaxanthin are taken orally each day for a period of 10 to 14 days prior to sun exposure, the incidence and intensity of sunburn may be significantly reduced.

"It may now be possible to be protected from the damaging effects of the sun through daily use of a natural astaxanthin dietary supplement, such as the Company's new BioAstin(TM) product," said Dr. R. Todd Lorenz, Cyanotech's Scientific Director.

This is the third U.S. patent application by Cyanotech covering the protective properties of astaxanthin in human health. In December 1999, the Company filed a U.S. patent application on the use of astaxanthin to treat fever blisters (cold sores) and canker sores. In February of this year, Cyanotech filed a U.S. patent application for retarding and ameliorating carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and tenosynovitis, a form of tendonitis specific to the wrist, using astaxanthin. And in March 2000, Cyanotech announced that it was initiating a clinical trial of BioAstin in relieving the effects of CTS.

"We are developing proprietary positions for human use of astaxanthin through patent filings and clinical trials, which should allow us to make certain structure/function label claims under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994," said Gerald R. Cysewski, Ph.D., Cyanotech chairman, president and CEO. "This will enable us to continue our development of a unique line of astaxanthin-based natural products which address these specific health concerns. The U.S. market for products addressing the health benefits which we have identified for natural astaxanthin exceeds $1 billion per year."

Cyanotech is the world's largest commercial producer of natural astaxanthin. BioAstin was reviewed without objection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 1999 and has been on the market since January 2000.

Cyanotech Corporation produces high-value natural products from microalgae, and is the world's largest commercial producer of natural astaxanthin from microalgae. Products include BioAstin(TM), a natural astaxanthin product for use as a human nutritional supplement; NatuRose(TM) natural astaxanthin used in the worldwide aquaculture and animal feed industry; Spirulina Pacifica(TM), a nutrient-rich dietary supplement; and phycobiliproteins, which are fluorescent pigments used in the immunological diagnostics market. Cyanotech is the only microalgae company in the world to have an ISO 9002 Registered Quality System. Corporate and product information is available at http://www.cyanotech.com

SAFE HARBOR Except for statements of historical fact, the statements in this press release are forward-looking. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, changes in sales levels to our largest customers, weather patterns, risks associated with the acceptance of new products, competition, and other factors more fully detailed in the company's recent quarterly 10-Q and annual 10-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.