content: <HTML><HEAD>
  <TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
  </HEAD>
   <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">
  
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000"><B>SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
  SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000"><B>Form 8-K </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P
  STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000"><B>Current Report </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P
  STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
  SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>April 28, 2003 </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
  FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Date of Report </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Date of earliest event reported) </B></FONT></P><P
  STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000"><B>DURECT CORPORATION </B></FONT></P><P
  STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
  SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">
  
  <TR>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="31%" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Delaware</B></FONT></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="31%" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>000-31615</B></FONT></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="31%" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>94-3297098</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
  <TR>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="31%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(State or other jurisdiction of</B></FONT></P> <P
  STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>incorporation or organization)</B></FONT></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="31%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Commission File Number)</B></FONT></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="31%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(I.R.S. Employer</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"
  ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Identification No.)</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
  </TABLE><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>10240
  Bubb Road </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Cupertino, CA 95014 </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
  FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"
  ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>(408) 777-1417 </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Registrant&#146;s telephone
  number, including area code) </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"
  ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) </B></FONT></P>
  
  <p Style='page-break-before:always'>
  <HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
  
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Item
  7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  <TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR>
  <TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(a)</FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Not applicable. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  <TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR>
  <TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(b)</FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Not applicable. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  <TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR>
  <TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">(c)</FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Exhibits: </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  <TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR>
  <TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">99.1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Press</FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Release of DURECT Corporation dated April 28, 2003. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P
  STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Regulation FD Disclosure. </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P
  STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">In accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8216, the following information, which is intended to be furnished under &#147;Item 12. Results of
  Operations and Financial Condition,&#148; is instead being furnished under &#147;Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure.&#148; The following information shall not be deemed &#147;filed&#148; for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
  1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
  </FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">On April 28, 2003, DURECT Corporation, a
  Delaware corporation (&#147;<U>DURECT</U>&#148;), announced its financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2003. A copy of DURECT&#146;s press release announcing these financial results is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and
  incorporated by reference herein. </FONT></P>
  
  <p Style='page-break-before:always'>
  <HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
  
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>SIGNATURES
  </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Pursuant to the requirements of the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0">
  
  <TR>
  <TD COLSPAN="3"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3" WIDTH="44%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>DURECT Corporation</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
  <TR>
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD></TR>
  <TR>
  <TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3" WIDTH="44%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Date:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;April 28, 2003</FONT></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="2%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">By:</FONT></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" WIDTH="44%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;J<SMALL>AMES</SMALL> E. B<SMALL>ROWN</SMALL></FONT></P><HR
  SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"></TD></TR>
  <TR>
  <TD><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="44%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">James E. Brown</FONT></P> <P
  STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">President and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></P></TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
  
  <p Style='page-break-before:always'>
  <HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
  
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>DURECT
  CORPORATION </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS </B></FONT></P><P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
  SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">
  
  <TR>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Exhibit Number</B></FONT></P><HR WIDTH="48" SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="92%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000"><B>Description</B></FONT></P><HR WIDTH="73" SIZE="1" NOSHADE ALIGN="left" COLOR="#000000"></TD></TR>
  <TR>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" WIDTH="7%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">99.1</FONT></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="92%"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">Press Release of DURECT Corporation dated April 28, 2003.</FONT></P></TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
  </BODY></HTML>
metadata_documents: [{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "d8k.htm", "description": "FORM 8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 14553}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "DURECT CORP", "cik": "0001082038", "assigned-sic": "2834", "irs-number": "943297098", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-31615", "film-number": "03666903"}, "business-address": {"street1": "10240 BUBB RD", "city": "CUPERTINO", "state": "CA", "zip": "95014", "phone": "4087771417"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "10240 BUBB ROAD", "city": "CUPERTINO", "state": "CA", "zip": "95014"}}
text: Form 8-K
  SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C. 20549
  Form 8-K
  Current Report
  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  April 28, 2003
  Date of Report
  (Date of earliest event reported)
  DURECT CORPORATION
  (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
  Delaware
  000-31615
  94-3297098
  (State or other jurisdiction of
  incorporation or organization)
  (Commission File Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
  Identification No.)
  10240
  Bubb Road
  Cupertino, CA 95014
  (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
  (408) 777-1417
  (Registrant's telephone
  number, including area code)
  (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
  Item
  7.    Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
  (a)
  Not applicable.
  (b)
  Not applicable.
  (c)
  Exhibits:
  99.1    Press
  Release of DURECT Corporation dated April 28, 2003.
  Item 9.    Regulation FD Disclosure.
  In accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8216, the following information, which is intended to be furnished under "Item 12. Results of
  Operations and Financial Condition," is instead being furnished under "Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure." The following information shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
  1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
  On April 28, 2003, DURECT Corporation, a
  Delaware corporation ("
  DURECT
  "), announced its financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2003. A copy of DURECT's press release announcing these financial results is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and
  incorporated by reference herein.
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  DURECT Corporation
  Date:    April 28, 2003
  By:
  /s/    J
  AMES
  E. B
  ROWN
  James E. Brown
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  DURECT
  CORPORATION
  INDEX TO EXHIBITS
  Exhibit Number
  Description
  99.1
  Press Release of DURECT Corporation dated April 28, 2003.