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<P id=PARA2 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>UNITED STATES</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA3 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA4 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA6 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>FORM 8-K</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA8 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA9 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA11 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): </B><B>June 21</B><B>, 201</B><B>6</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA13 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>ACELRX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA14 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA21 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>DELAWARE</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA23 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>001-35068</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA25 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>41-2193603</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA26 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(State of incorporation)</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA28 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Commission File No.)</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA30 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(IRS Employer Identification No.)</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<P id=PARA33 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>351 Galveston Drive </B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA35 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Redwood City, CA 94063 </B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA38 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Registrant&#8217;s telephone number, including area code:</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B> </B></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>(650) 216-3500 </B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA39 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA40 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA42 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"> Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA44 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"> Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA48 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA54 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item 1.01.&nbsp; Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA55 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA56 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">On June 21, 2016, AcelRx Pharmaceuticals,&nbsp;Inc. (the &#8220;<U>Company</U>&#8221;) entered into a Controlled Equity Offering</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><SUP style="vertical-align: baseline; position: relative; bottom:.33em;">SM</SUP></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;Sales Agreement (the &#8220;<U>Sales Agreement</U>&#8221;) with Cantor Fitzgerald&nbsp;&amp; Co., as agent (&#8220;<U>Cantor</U>&#8221;), pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time through Cantor, shares of the Company&#8217;s common stock par value $0.001 per share (the &#8220;<U>Common Stock</U>&#8221;) having an aggregate offering price of up to $40.0 million (the &#8220;<U>Shares</U>&#8221;).</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA57 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA58 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Under the Sales Agreement, Cantor may sell Shares in sales deemed to be &#8220;at-the-market&#8221; equity offerings as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#8220;<U>Securities Act</U>&#8221;), including sales made directly on or through The NASDAQ Global Market, the existing trading market for the Company&#8217;s common stock, sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange or otherwise, in negotiated transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market prices, and/or any other method permitted by law.&nbsp; The Company may instruct Cantor not to sell Shares if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us from time to time.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA59 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA60 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The Company is not obligated to make any sales of the Shares under the Sales Agreement. The offering of Shares pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (a)&nbsp;the sale of all of the Shares subject to the Sales Agreement or (b)&nbsp;the termination of the Sales Agreement by Cantor or the Company, as permitted therein.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA61 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA62 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The Company will pay Cantor a commission rate of up to 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from each sale of Shares and have agreed to provide Cantor with customary indemnification and contribution rights.&nbsp; The Company will also reimburse Cantor for certain specified expenses in connection with entering into the Sales Agreement.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA63 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA64 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, the Company may also sell shares of its common stock to Cantor, as principal for its own account, at a price negotiated at the time of sale. If the Company sells shares to Cantor in this manner, the Company will enter into a separate agreement setting forth the terms of any such transactions.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA65 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA66 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The foregoing description of the Sales Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit&nbsp;10.1 to this Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The opinion of the Company&#8217;s counsel regarding the validity of the Shares that will be issued pursuant to the Sales Agreement is also filed herewith as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA67 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA68 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">This Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the common stock discussed herein, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation, or sale of common stock in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.</FONT></P>
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<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 7.5%"><B>Item 9.01.</B></TD>
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<P id=PARA70 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits.</B></FONT></B></P></TD></TR>
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<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 7.5%"><B><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>(d)</B></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</B></FONT></TD>
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<P id=PARA72 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Exhibits.</B></FONT></B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<P id=PARA74 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA76 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Description</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA80 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">5.1</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA81 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA82 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Opinion of Cooley LLP</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA83 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">10.1</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA84 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 89.8%">
<P id=PARA85 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Controlled Equity Offering</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><SUP style="vertical-align: baseline; position: relative; bottom:.33em;">SM</SUP></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp; Sales Agreement, dated June 21, 2016, by and between AcelRx Pharmaceuticals,&nbsp;Inc. and Cantor Fitzgerald&nbsp;&amp; Co.</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 7.5%">
<P id=PARA86 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">23.1</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2.6%">
<P id=PARA87 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 89.8%">
<P id=PARA88 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Consent of Cooley LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA136.1 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<DIV id=PGBK136  style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR136  style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM136  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV>
<HR style="HEIGHT: 2px; PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; COLOR: #000000; WIDTH: 100%" noShade>

<DIV id=PGHDR136  style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA90 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25">&nbsp;</P>
<P id=PARA91 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase"><B>Signatures</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA92 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA93 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">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 id=PARA94 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=TBL115  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle; WIDTH: 48%">
<P id=PARA95 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle; WIDTH: 3%">
<P id=PARA96 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle; WIDTH: 49%">
<P id=PARA97 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 48%">
<P id=PARA100 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Date: June&nbsp;21, 2016</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle; WIDTH: 3%" colSpan=2>
<P id=PARA101 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">ACELRX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 48%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle; WIDTH: 3%" colSpan=2>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle; WIDTH: 48%">
<P id=PARA106 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 3%">
<P id=PARA107 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; WIDTH: 49%">
<P id=PARA108 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">/s/ Jane Wright-Mitchell </FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle; WIDTH: 48%">
<P id=PARA110 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle; WIDTH: 3%">
<P id=PARA111 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle; WIDTH: 49%">
<P id=PARA112 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Jane Wright-Mitchell</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA113 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Chief Legal Officer&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA116 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<DIV id=PGBK137  style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR137  style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM137  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV>
<HR style="HEIGHT: 2px; PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; COLOR: #000000; WIDTH: 100%" noShade>

<DIV id=PGHDR137  style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA137.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA117 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>EXHIBIT&nbsp;INDEX</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA118 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=TBL134  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; WIDTH: 7.6%">
<P id=PARA119 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2.6%">
<P id=PARA120 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; WIDTH: 89.8%">
<P id=PARA121 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Description</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 7.6%">
<P id=PARA122 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2.6%">
<P id=PARA123 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 89.8%">
<P id=PARA124 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 7.6%">
<P id=PARA125 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">5.1</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2.6%">
<P id=PARA126 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 89.8%">
<P id=PARA127 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Opinion of Cooley LLP</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 7.6%">
<P id=PARA128 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">10.1</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2.6%">
<P id=PARA129 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 89.8%">
<P id=PARA130 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Controlled Equity Offering</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><SUP style="vertical-align: baseline; position: relative; bottom:.33em;">SM</SUP></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp; Sales Agreement, dated June 21, 2016, by and between AcelRx Pharmaceuticals,&nbsp;Inc. and Cantor Fitzgerald&nbsp;&amp; Co.</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 7.6%">
<P id=PARA131 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">23.1</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2.6%">
<P id=PARA132 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 89.8%">
<P id=PARA133 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Consent of Cooley LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA135 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></BODY></HTML>
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acrx20160613_8k.htm
UNITED STATES
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
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
June 21
, 201
6
ACELRX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE
001-35068
41-2193603
(State of incorporation)
(Commission File No.)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
351 Galveston Drive
Redwood City, CA 94063
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(650) 216-3500
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01.  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On June 21, 2016, AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "
Company
") entered into a Controlled Equity Offering
SM
Sales Agreement (the "
Sales Agreement
") with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., as agent ("
Cantor
"), pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time through Cantor, shares of the Company's common stock par value $0.001 per share (the "
Common Stock
") having an aggregate offering price of up to $40.0 million (the "
Shares
").
Under the Sales Agreement, Cantor may sell Shares in sales deemed to be "at-the-market" equity offerings as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "
Securities Act
"), including sales made directly on or through The NASDAQ Global Market, the existing trading market for the Company's common stock, sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange or otherwise, in negotiated transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market prices, and/or any other method permitted by law.  The Company may instruct Cantor not to sell Shares if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us from time to time.
The Company is not obligated to make any sales of the Shares under the Sales Agreement. The offering of Shares pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (a) the sale of all of the Shares subject to the Sales Agreement or (b) the termination of the Sales Agreement by Cantor or the Company, as permitted therein.
The Company will pay Cantor a commission rate of up to 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from each sale of Shares and have agreed to provide Cantor with customary indemnification and contribution rights.  The Company will also reimburse Cantor for certain specified expenses in connection with entering into the Sales Agreement.
Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, the Company may also sell shares of its common stock to Cantor, as principal for its own account, at a price negotiated at the time of sale. If the Company sells shares to Cantor in this manner, the Company will enter into a separate agreement setting forth the terms of any such transactions.
The foregoing description of the Sales Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The opinion of the Company's counsel regarding the validity of the Shares that will be issued pursuant to the Sales Agreement is also filed herewith as Exhibit 5.1.
This Current Report on Form 8-K shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the common stock discussed herein, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation, or sale of common stock in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.
Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits.
Exhibit
Description
5.1
Opinion of Cooley LLP
10.1
Controlled Equity Offering
SM
Sales Agreement, dated June 21, 2016, by and between AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
23.1
Consent of Cooley LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
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.
Date: June 21, 2016
ACELRX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
By:
/s/ Jane Wright-Mitchell
Jane Wright-Mitchell
Chief Legal Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Description
5.1
Opinion of Cooley LLP
10.1
Controlled Equity Offering
SM
Sales Agreement, dated June 21, 2016, by and between AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
23.1
Consent of Cooley LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)