Exhibit 5.1

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, New York 10112-0015 212.653.8700 main 212.653.8701 fax www.sheppardmullin.com

December 8, 2023

VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL

Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc.

4300 El Camino Real, Suite 210

Los Altos, CA 94022

Ladies and Gentlemen:

You have requested our opinion with respect to certain matters in connection with the filing by Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), covering up to 11,473,670 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), which may be issued pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2021 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Restated Plan”) and the Company’s 2021 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan” and together with the Restated Plan, the “Plans”).

This opinion (this “Opinion”) is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 8 of Form S-8 and Item 601(b)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K.

In connection with this Opinion, we have reviewed and relied upon the Registration Statement, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation as in effect on the date hereof, the Company’s Bylaws, as in effect on the date hereof, the proceedings taken by the Company with respect to the authorization and adoption of the Plan, resolutions adopted by the board of directors of the Company, and such other documents, records, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as we deem necessary as a basis for this Opinion.

With respect to the foregoing documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to original of all documents submitted to us as certified or reproduced copies. We have also assumed that the Shares will be uncertificated in accordance with Section 158 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, and the transfer agent therefor will register the purchaser thereof as the registered owner of any uncertificated Shares on its stock transfer books and records. We have further assumed that (a) shares of Common Stock currently reserved for issuance under the Plans will remain available for the issuance of the Shares, and (b) neither the Company’s charter documents nor any of the proceedings relating to either the Plans or any of the award agreements relating to the Shares will be rescinded, amended or otherwise modified prior to the issuance of the Shares. We have also obtained from public officials and officers of the Company certificates or comparable documents as to certain factual matters and, insofar as this Opinion is based on matters of fact, we have relied on such certificates and comparable documents without independent investigation. We have made such other investigations as we have deemed relevant and necessary in connection with the opinions hereinafter set forth. 

On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when issued and sold in the manner referred to in the Plans against proper payment and consideration thereof and pursuant to the agreements that accompany the Plans, will be legally and validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

We consent to the filing of this Opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

We express no opinion as to matters governed by any laws other than the Delaware General Corporation Law and reported decisions of the Delaware courts interpreting such law.

This Opinion is rendered as of the date first written above, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of facts, circumstances, events or developments which hereafter may be brought to our attention and which may alter, affect or modify the opinion expressed herein. Our opinion is expressly limited to the matters set forth above, and we render no opinion, whether by implication or otherwise, as to any other matters relating to the Company, the Shares, the Plans, the award agreements related to the Shares, or the Registration Statement.