Bruce Russell 310-559-4955 x101 brussell@cyanotech.com Cyanotech Names Andrew Jacobson as President & CEO Former Hain Personal Care President to Lead New Marketing Initiative for Cyanotech s Leading

Cyanotech Names Andrew Jacobson as President & CEO

Former Hain Personal Care President to Lead

New Marketing Initiative

for Cyanotech s Leading Products, BioAstin

Natural Astaxanthin and Spirulina Pacifica

Hawaii (May 19, 2008) Cyanotech Corporation (Nasdaq: CYAN), a world leader in

producing high-value nutrition and health products from microalgae, announced

that its Board of Directors has named Andrew H. Jacobson, age 46, as president

and chief executive officer, and a director, effective May 16, 2008.

succeeds Gerald R. Cysewski, Ph.D., who was president and chief executive

officer. Dr. Cysewski was named

executive vice president and chief scientific officer focusing on microalgae

product development. He continues as a

director. Dr. Cysewski, who is

credited with commercializing the large-scale production of microalgae, founded

lead independent director, Gregg Robertson, was elected chairman of the board

management support Cyanotech s previously announced transition from its traditional focus on

the processing and distribution of microalgae products to a consumer driven,

sales and marketing focused business. This transition seeks to increase the

value and consumer recognition of its market-leading brands, BioAstin Natural

Astaxanthin and Spirulina Pacifica.

pleased to welcome Andy to lead Cyanotech s next stage of development and

growth, said Mr. Robertson. Our

products are widely acknowledged as superior and Andy s strategic vision and

experience opening new markets while leading multi-tiered distribution

businesses are ideally suited for this transition. His proven expertise and

track record in building strong product marketing platforms that result in

sustained and profitable growth completes Cyanotech s prescription for success.

has more than 23 years of experience in the natural products industry. He was president of the Personal Care

division of the Hain Celestial Group (Nasdaq: HAIN,

www.hain-celestial.com). Hain is a

leading natural and organic food and personal care products company with annual

sales of approximately $1 billion.

Previously at Hain, he was president of Natural Products. Mr. Jacobson joined Hain in 1997 through

its acquisition of Westbrae Natural Foods where he was president.

Corporation, a world leader in microalgae technology, produces BioAstin

Natural Astaxanthin and Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica all natural, functional

nutrients that enhance human health and nutrition. Cyanotech s spirulina, FDA

reviewed and accepted as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use as a food

ingredient, augments energy and immune response. BioAstin s benefits derive

from its superior antioxidant activity and from its ability to support and

maintain natural inflammatory response, enhancing skin, muscle and joint

health. Cyanotech produces these products from microalgae grown at its 90-acre

facility in Hawaii using patented and proprietary technology and distributes

them to nutritional supplement, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical makers and

marketers in more than 40 countries worldwide. Cyanotech was the first microalgae

company in the world to obtain ISO 9001:2000. Visit www.cyanotech.com for more

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private

Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

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, forecasts of sales in future periods, changes

in sales levels to our largest customers, weather patterns, production problems

caused by contamination, risks associated with the acceptance of new products,

competition, foreign exchange fluctuations, government regulation, and other

factors more fully detailed in the Company s recent Form 10-Q and annual

form 10-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

73-4460 Queen Kaahumanu Highway, #102 ~

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740

(808) 326-1353 fax (808) 329-3597 ~ www.cyanotech.com