EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

LOGO

Matthew B. Hemington

+1 650 843 5062

hemingtonmb@cooley.com

August 10, 2023

CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc.

7575 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 110

Newark, CA 94560

Re: CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc. – Post-Effective Amendments to Registration Statements on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to each of the Company’s registration statements on Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-195211, 333-198289, 333-202941, 333-210453, 333-216905, 333-223687, 333-226741, 333-229953, 333-254697, 333-263644, 333-270795), as filed with the Commission on April 11, 2014, August 21, 2014, March 23, 2015, March 29, 2016, March 23, 2017, March 15, 2018, August 9, 2018, February 28, 2019, March 25, 2021, March 17, 2022, and March 23, 2023, respectively (such registration statements, collectively, the “Prior Registration Statements,” and the post-effective amendment to each of the Prior Registration Statements, collectively, the “Post-Effective Amendments”).

The Prior Registration Statements covered the offering of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), previously available for issuance under the CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Prior Plan”), among other plans. For purposes of this opinion, the “Shares” means up to 2,933,589 shares of Common Stock, which is the sum of 2,846,732 shares of Common Stock that had been available for grants of new awards under the Prior Plan and 86,857 shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding stock awards granted under the Prior Plan, that from and after June 1, 2023, may become available for grant under the CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc. 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”) as described in the Post-Effective Amendments.

In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon (a) the Prior Registration Statements, the Post-Effective Amendments and related prospectus, (b) the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, each as currently in effect, (c) the Prior Plan, (d) the 2023 Plan, and (e) such other records, documents, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies, the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of certificates of public officials and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by all persons other than the Company where authorization, execution and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness thereof. As to certain factual matters, we have relied upon a certificate of an officer of the Company and have not independently verified such matters.

Our opinion is expressed only with respect to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We express no opinion to the extent that any other laws are applicable to the subject matter hereof and express no opinion and provide no assurance as to compliance with any federal or state securities law, rule or regulation.

On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when sold and issued in accordance with the 2023 Plan, the Post-Effective Amendments and related prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable (except as to shares issued pursuant to deferred payment arrangements which will be fully paid and nonassessable when such deferred payments are made in full).

Cooley LLP 3175 Hanover Street Palo Alto, CA 94304-1130

t: (650) 843-5000 f: (650) 849-7400 cooley.com


Very truly yours,

COOLEY LLP

By:		/s/ Matthew B. Hemington
		Matthew B. Hemington