Exhibit 5.1

CARLTON FLEMING

+1 650 843 5865

cfleming@cooley.com

August 4, 2017

Cerus Corporation

2550 Stanwell Drive

Concord, CA 94520

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Cerus Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company has provided us with two prospectuses, which form part of the Registration Statement: (i) a base prospectus (the “Base Prospectus”) and (ii) a sales agreement prospectus (the “Sales Agreement Prospectus”), covering the offering, issuance and sale of up to $70,000,000 of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) that may be issued and sold under the Controlled Equity Offering^SM Sales Agreement, dated August 31, 2012, as amended, between the Company and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (such agreement, the “Sales Agreement”, and such shares, the “Sales Agreement Shares”). The Base Prospectus provides that it will be supplemented in the future by one or more prospectus supplements (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”). The Registration Statement, including the Base Prospectus (as supplemented from time to time by one or more Prospectus Supplements) and the Sales Agreement Prospectus provide for the registration by the Company of:

• shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Base Prospectus (as supplemented from time to time by one or more Prospectus Supplements) (the “Base Prospectus Shares”);

• the Sales Agreement Shares issuable pursuant to the Sales Agreement Prospectus (as supplemented from time to time by one or more Prospectus Supplements);

• shares of preferred stock, in one or more series, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “Preferred Stock”) issuable pursuant to the Base Prospectus (as supplemented from time to time by one or more Prospectus Supplements);

• debt securities, in one or more series (the “Debt Securities”), issuable pursuant to the Base Prospectus (as supplemented from time to time by one or more Prospectus Supplements), which Debt Securities may be issued pursuant to an indenture to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Debt Securities thereunder, by and between a trustee to be selected by the Company (the “Trustee”) and the Company, in the form filed as Exhibit 4.8 to the Registration Statement (the “Indenture”);

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Cerus Corporation

August 4, 2017

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• warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities (the “Shelf Warrants”) issuable pursuant to the Base Prospectus (as supplemented from time to time by one or more Prospectus Supplements), which Shelf Warrants may be issued under warrant agreements, to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of the applicable Shelf Warrants thereunder, by and between a warrant agent to be selected by the Company (the “Warrant Agent”) and the Company, in the forms filed as Exhibits 4.10, 4.11 and 4.12 to the Registration Statement (each, a “Warrant Agreement”); and

• with respect to the Base Prospectus Shares and the Sales Agreement Shares, the preferred stock purchase rights (the “Rights”) associated with the Common Stock to be issued pursuant to that certain Rights Agreement, dated as of November 3, 1999, as amended (the “Rights Agreement”), between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as successor to Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A. (formerly Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A.) as rights agent (the “Rights Agent”).

The Base Prospectus Shares, Sales Agreement Shares, the Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities and the Shelf Warrants are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.” The Securities are being registered for offer and sale from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The aggregate public offering price of the Securities being registered is $250,000,000.

In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon originals, or copies certified to our satisfaction, of such records, documents, certificates, opinions, memoranda and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. As to certain factual matters, we have relied upon a certificate of an officer of the Company and have not independently verified such matters.

In rendering this opinion, we have assumed the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures on original documents; the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals; the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies; and the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of certificates of public officials; and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents where authorization, execution and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness of such documents.

With respect to our opinion as to the Base Prospectus Shares, we have assumed that, at the time of issuance and sale, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock is authorized and available for issuance and that the consideration for the issuance and sale of the Base Prospectus Shares (or Preferred Stock or Debt Securities convertible into Base Prospectus Shares or Shelf Warrants exercisable for Base Prospectus Shares) is in an amount that is not less than the par value of the Common Stock. With respect to our opinion as to the Sales Agreement Shares, we have assumed (i) that the specific sale of the Sales Agreement Shares will be duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), a duly authorized committee thereof or a person or body pursuant to an authorization granted in accordance with Section 152 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and (ii) that no more than 31,531,531 Sales Agreement Shares will be sold, based on a sale price of $2.22 per share, representing the last reported sale price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on August 2, 2017.

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Cerus Corporation

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With respect to our opinion as to the Preferred Stock, we have assumed that, at the time of issuance and sale, a sufficient number of shares of Preferred Stock is authorized, designated and available for issuance and that the consideration for the issuance and sale of the Preferred Stock (or Debt Securities convertible into Preferred Stock or Shelf Warrants exercisable for Preferred Stock) is in an amount that is not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock. We have also assumed that any Debt Securities or Shelf Warrants, as the case may be, offered under the Registration Statement, and the related Indenture or Warrant Agreement, as applicable, will be executed in the forms filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein. We have also assumed that (i) with respect to any Securities being issued upon conversion of any convertible Preferred Stock, the applicable convertible Preferred Stock will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and (ii) with respect to any Securities being issued upon conversion of any convertible Debt Securities or upon exercise of any Shelf Warrants, the applicable convertible Debt Securities or Shelf Warrants will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights, and subject to general equity principles and to limitations on availability of equitable relief, including specific performance.

With respect to the Sales Agreement Shares, we express no opinion to the extent that future issuances of securities of the company and/or anti-dilution adjustments to outstanding securities of the Company cause the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding or issuable upon conversion or exercise of outstanding securities of the Company to exceed the number of Sales Agreement Shares then issuable under the Sales Agreement.

In rendering this opinion, we have also assumed that the Rights Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Rights Agent and that the members of the Board have acted in a manner consistent with their fiduciary duties as required under applicable law in adopting the Rights Agreement. This opinion does not address the determination a court of competent jurisdiction may make regarding whether the Board may be required to redeem or terminate, or take other action with respect to, the Rights in the future based on the facts and circumstances then existing. Moreover, this opinion addresses corporate procedures in connection with the issuance of the Rights associated with the Base Prospectus Shares and Sales Agreement Shares, and not any particular provision of the Rights or the Rights Agreement. It should be understood that it is not settled whether the invalidity of any particular provision of a rights agreement or purchase rights issued thereunder would invalidate such rights in their entirety.

Our opinion herein is expressed solely with respect to the DGCL and, as to the Debt Securities and the Shelf Warrants constituting

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Cerus Corporation

August 4, 2017

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valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, solely with respect to the laws of the State of New York. Our opinion is based on these laws as in effect on the date hereof. We express no opinion as to whether the laws of any particular jurisdiction other than those identified above are applicable to the subject matter hereof. We express no opinion as to any provision of the Debt Securities that: (a) relates to the subject matter jurisdiction of any federal court of the United States of America or any federal appellate court to adjudicate any controversy related to the Debt Securities or (b) contains a waiver of any inconvenient forum. We are not rendering any opinion as to compliance with any federal or state law, rule or regulation relating to securities, or to the sale or issuance thereof.

On the basis of the foregoing and in reliance thereon, and subject to the qualifications herein stated, we are of the opinion that:

1. With respect to the Base Prospectus Shares offered under the Registration Statement, provided that: (i) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendment thereto have all become effective under the Securities Act and the Base Prospectus and any and all Prospectus Supplement(s) required by applicable laws have been delivered and filed as required by such laws; (ii) the issuance of the Base Prospectus Shares has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, including approval of each issuance by the Company’s board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof; (iii) the issuance and sale of the Base Prospectus Shares do not violate any applicable law, are in conformity with the Company’s then operative certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and bylaws (the “Bylaws”), do not result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any applicable requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; and (iv) the certificates for the Base Prospectus Shares have been duly executed by the Company, countersigned by the transfer agent therefor and duly delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment therefor, then the Base Prospectus Shares and the associated Rights, when issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s), and in accordance with a duly authorized, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, or upon conversion of any convertible Preferred Stock, or convertible Debt Securities in accordance with their terms, or upon exercise of any Shelf Warrants in accordance with their terms, will be duly authorized and validly issued, and the Base Prospectus Shares fully paid and nonassessable.

2. With respect to the Sales Agreement Shares, when issued and paid for in accordance with the Sales Agreement and as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Sales Agreement Prospectus, the Sales Agreement Shares and the associated Rights will be duly authorized and validly issued, and the Sales Agreement Shares fully paid and nonassessable.

3. With respect to the Preferred Stock offered under the Registration Statement,

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Cerus Corporation

August 4, 2017

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provided that: (i) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendment thereto have all become effective under the Securities Act and the Base Prospectus and any and all Prospectus Supplement(s) required by applicable laws have been delivered and filed as required by such laws; (ii) the terms and issuance of the Preferred Stock have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, including approval of each issuance by the Company’s board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof; (iii) the terms of the shares of Preferred Stock and their issuance and sale do not violate any applicable law, are in conformity with the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, do not result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any applicable requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; and (iv) the certificates for the Preferred Stock have been duly executed by the Company, countersigned by the transfer agent therefor and duly delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment therefor, then the Preferred Stock, when issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s) and in accordance with any applicable duly authorized, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, or upon conversion of any convertible Debt Securities in accordance with their terms, or upon exercise of any Shelf Warrants in accordance with their terms, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

4. With respect to any series of the Debt Securities issued under the Indenture and offered under the Registration Statement, provided that: (i) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendment thereto have all become effective under the Securities Act and the Base Prospectus and any and all Prospectus Supplement(s) required by applicable laws have been delivered and filed as required by such laws; (ii) the Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and the Trustee by all necessary corporate action; (iii) the Indenture in substantially the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee and has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (iv) the issuance and terms of the Debt Securities have been duly authorized by the Company by all necessary corporate action; (v) the terms of the Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Indenture so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, so as to be in conformity with the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; and (vi) the Debt Securities have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee pursuant to the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor, then the Debt Securities, when issued and sold in accordance with the Indenture and a duly authorized, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, or upon exercise of any Shelf Warrants in accordance with their terms, will be valid and

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Cerus Corporation

August 4, 2017

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legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

5. With respect to the Shelf Warrants issued under the Warrant Agreement and offered under the Registration Statement, provided that (i) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendment thereto have all become effective under the Securities Act and the Base Prospectus and any and all Prospectus Supplement(s) required by applicable laws have been delivered and filed as required by such laws; (ii) the Warrant Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company and the Warrant Agent by all necessary corporate action; (iii) the Warrant Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Warrant Agent and the terms of the Warrant Agreement have been established in accordance with applicable law; (iv) the issuance and terms of the Shelf Warrants have been duly authorized by the Company by all necessary corporate action; (v) the terms of the Shelf Warrants and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Warrant Agreement and as described in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s), so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, so as to be in conformity with the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; and (vi) the Shelf Warrants have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and authenticated by the Warrant Agent pursuant to the Warrant Agreement and delivered against payment therefor, then the Shelf Warrants, when issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s) and in accordance with the Warrant Agreement and a duly authorized, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

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COOLEY LLP   3175 HANOVER STREET   PALO ALTO, CA   94304-1130

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Cerus Corporation

August 4, 2017

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We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the captions “Legal Matters” in the Base Prospectus and the Sales Agreement Prospectus included in the Registration Statement. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable law.

Sincerely,

COOLEY LLP

By:	/s/ Carlton Fleming
	Carlton Fleming

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