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    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>UNITED
      STATES</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>SECURITIES
      AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>WASHINGTON,
      D. C. 20549</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>____________</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>FORM
      8-K</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>CURRENT
      REPORT </strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Pursuant
      to Section 13 or 15(d) of the</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Securities
      Exchange Act Of 1934</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>May
      15, 2006</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Date
      of
      Report (Date of earliest event reported)</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>___________________________________________________________</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 20pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>ACURA
      PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Exact
      Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>___________________________________________________________</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="27%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>State
                of New York</strong></font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="27%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>1-10113</strong></font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="27%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>11-0853640</strong></font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="27%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(State
                of Other Jurisdiction</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="27%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Commission
                File Number)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="27%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(I.R.S.
                Employer</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="27%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">of
                Incorporation)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="27%">&#160;</td>
            <td valign="top" width="27%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Identification
                Number)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>616
      N. North Court, Suite 120</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Palatine,
      Illinois 60067</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Address
      of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>(847)
      705-7709</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Registrant&#8217;s
      telephone number, including area code)</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">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></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol">|_|&#8250;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Written
      communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
      230.425)</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol">|_|&#8250;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Soliciting
      material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17CFR
      240.14a-12)</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol">|_|&#8250;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
      (17CFR240.14d-2(b))</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol">|_|&#8250;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17CFR
      240.13e-</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">4(c))</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br>&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Item
      5.02</strong></font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 63pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Departure
      of Directors or Principal Officers, Election of Directors,</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Appointment
      of Principal Officers. </strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Resignation
      of Director</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">On
      May
      11, 2006, Argeris &#8220;Jerry&#8221; Karabelas, Ph.D. resigned as a director of Acura
      Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Karabelas advised the Company that in view of his
      other commitments, he would be unable to commit the time required to serve
      as a
      member of the Company&#8217;s Board of Directors.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Election
      of Director</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">On
      May
      11, 2006, the Board appointed Richard J. Markham, a designee of GCE Holdings
      LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (&#8220;GCE Holdings&#8221;), to the Board of
      Directors. Mr. Markham brings to Acura&#8217;s Board of Directors extensive
      pharmaceutical industry experience. He is currently a partner at Care Capital
      LLC (&#8220;Care&#8221;) , a venture capital firm focused primarily on life sciences
      companies. Prior to joining Care Capital, Richard was the Vice Chairman of
      the
      Management Board and COO of Aventis. Previously he was the CEO of Aventis Pharma
      and Hoechst Marion Roussel, the President and COO of Marion Merrell Dow, Inc.
      and a member of its board of directors. From 1973 to 1993 Mr. Markham was
      associated with Merck &amp; Co. Inc., culminating in his position as President
      and Chief Operating Officer. Richard received a B.S. in Pharmacy and
      Pharmaceutical Sciences from Purdue University and has served as a member of
      the
      Dean&#8217;s Advisory Council of the University. He has also been awarded an honorary
      Doctor of Science degree, the University&#8217;s highest honor for
      achievement.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
      Markham will serve as a member of the Compensation Committee of the Board of
      Directors.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">GCE
      Holdings is controlled by Galen Partners III, L.P., Galen Partners International
      III, L.P., Galen Employee Fund III, L.P. (collectively, &#8220;Galen&#8221;), Care Capital
      Investments II, LP, Care Capital Offshore Investments II, LP (affiliates of
      Care, and collectively, &#8220;Care Capital&#8221;) and Essex Woodlands Health Ventures V,
      L.P. (&#8220;Essex&#8221;)</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">GCE
      Holdings was granted the right to designate four directors pursuant to a Voting
      Agreement dated as of February 6, 2004, as amended in November 2005, (the
      "Voting Agreement") entered into in connection with the sale of certain debt
      instruments by the Company in 2004. The Voting Agreement initially provided
      that
      each of Galen, Care Capital and Essex (collectively, the "Lead 2004 Investors")
      had the right to designate for nomination one member of the Company's Board
      of
      Directors, and that the Lead 2004 Investors collectively may designate one
      additional member of the Board (collectively, the "Designees"). In connection
      with the conversion of shares of the Company&#8217;s preferred stock (&#8220;Preferred
      Shares&#8221;) into common stock in November 2005, the Voting Agreement was amended to
      reflect the conveyance by each of Care Capital, Essex and Galen of their
      holdings in the Company&#8217;s Preferred Shares to GCE Holdings, a limited liability
      company controlled by such parties. As amended, the Voting Agreement provides
      that the Board of Directors of the Company shall be comprised of not more than
      seven (7) members, four (4) of whom shall be designees of GCE Holdings (as
      the
      assignee of the Preferred Shares of the Company prior to the conversion of
      such
      Preferred Shares to Common Stock held by Care Capital, Essex and Galen).
</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      other
      designees of GCE Holdings serving on the Company&#8217;s Board of Directors are
      Immanuel Thangaraj and Bruce F. Wesson. Prior to his resignation, Dr. Karabelas
      was a designee of GCE Holdings. As of the date of this Report, the fourth
      designee of GCE Holdings had not been determined.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><em>Transactions
      with Management and Others</em></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
      Company is a party to four (4) Loan Agreements funded in (i) March 2006 and
      January 2006, (ii) November, 2005, (iii) September, 2005 and (iv) June, 2005
      pursuant to which the Company has received bridge financing in the aggregate
      principal amount $4.05 million from Essex</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">,
      Care
      Capital and Galen and certain other shareholders of the Company listed on the
      signature page to such Loan Agreements. </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Mr.
      Markham</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
      is a
      partner of Care, an affiliate of Care Capital.</font></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Item
      9.01</strong></font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 63pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Financial
      Statements and Exhibits.</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Exhibit</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong><u>Number</u></strong></font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong><u>Description</u></strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

          <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
            <td align="left" style="width: 81pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">99.1</font></td>
            <td align="left">
              <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Press
                Release dated May 15, 2006 announcing the appointment of Mr. Richard
                Markham to the Board of Directors and the resignation from the Board
                of
                Directors of Jerry Karabelas.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><br><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>SIGNATURES</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">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 thereunto
      duly authorized.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
      <table align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
            <td width="50%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;</font></td>
            <td width="1%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;</font></td>
            <td width="49%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
            <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;</font></td>
            <td colspan="2"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: "><strong>ACURA
              PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</strong></font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
            <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;<br>&#160;</font></td>
            <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;<br>&#160;</font></td>
            <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;<br>&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
            <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">Date:&#160;May
              15,
              2006</font></td>
            <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">By:&#160;&#160;</font></td>
            <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">/s/&#160;Peter
              A.
              Clemens</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
            <td colspan="2"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: " size="1">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left">
              <hr style="COLOR: black" align="left" noshade size="2" width="80%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Peter
                A. Clemens</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Senior
                Vice President &amp; Chief Financial Officer</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
            <td colspan="2"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: ">&#160;</font></td>
            <td>&#160;</td>
          </tr>

      </table><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong><u>EXHIBIT
      INDEX</u></strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Exhibit</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong><u>Number</u></strong></font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong><u>Description</u></strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">

            <tr valign="top" style="line-height: 1.25;">
              <td align="left" style="width: 81pt;"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">99.1</font></td>
              <td align="left">
                <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Press
                  Release dated May 15, 2006 announcing the appointment of Mr. Richard
                  Markham to the Board of Directors and the resignation from the
                  Board of
                  Directors of Jerry
                  Karabelas.</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>

        </table>
      </div>
    </div>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC", "cik": "0000786947", "assigned-sic": "2834", "irs-number": "110853640", "state-of-incorporation": "NY", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-10113", "film-number": "06842213"}, "business-address": {"street1": "616 N. NORTH COURT, SUITE 120", "city": "PALATINE", "state": "IL", "zip": "60067", "phone": "847-705-7709"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "616 N. NORTH COURT, SUITE 120", "street2": ".", "city": "PALATINE", "state": "IL", "zip": "60067"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "HALSEY DRUG CO INC/NEW", "date-changed": "19920703"}}
Unassociated Document
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
May
      15, 2006
Date
      of
      Report (Date of earliest event reported)
___________________________________________________________
ACURA
      PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact
      Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
___________________________________________________________
State
                of New York
1-10113
11-0853640
(State
                of Other Jurisdiction
(Commission
                File Number)
(I.R.S.
                Employer
of
                Incorporation)
Identification
                Number)
616
      N. North Court, Suite 120
Palatine,
      Illinois 60067
(Address
      of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(847)
      705-7709
(Registrant's
      telephone number, including area code)
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 (17CFR
      240.14a-12)
|_|›
Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
      (17CFR240.14d-2(b))
|_|›
Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17CFR
      240.13e-
4(c))
Item
      5.02
Departure
      of Directors or Principal Officers, Election of Directors,
Appointment
      of Principal Officers.
Resignation
      of Director
On
      May
      11, 2006, Argeris "Jerry" Karabelas, Ph.D. resigned as a director of Acura
      Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Karabelas advised the Company that in view of his
      other commitments, he would be unable to commit the time required to serve
      as a
      member of the Company's Board of Directors.
Election
      of Director
On
      May
      11, 2006, the Board appointed Richard J. Markham, a designee of GCE Holdings
      LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("GCE Holdings"), to the Board of
      Directors. Mr. Markham brings to Acura's Board of Directors extensive
      pharmaceutical industry experience. He is currently a partner at Care Capital
      LLC ("Care") , a venture capital firm focused primarily on life sciences
      companies. Prior to joining Care Capital, Richard was the Vice Chairman of
      the
      Management Board and COO of Aventis. Previously he was the CEO of Aventis Pharma
      and Hoechst Marion Roussel, the President and COO of Marion Merrell Dow, Inc.
      and a member of its board of directors. From 1973 to 1993 Mr. Markham was
      associated with Merck & Co. Inc., culminating in his position as President
      and Chief Operating Officer. Richard received a B.S. in Pharmacy and
      Pharmaceutical Sciences from Purdue University and has served as a member of
      the
      Dean's Advisory Council of the University. He has also been awarded an honorary
      Doctor of Science degree, the University's highest honor for
      achievement.
Mr.
      Markham will serve as a member of the Compensation Committee of the Board of
      Directors.
GCE
      Holdings is controlled by Galen Partners III, L.P., Galen Partners International
      III, L.P., Galen Employee Fund III, L.P. (collectively, "Galen"), Care Capital
      Investments II, LP, Care Capital Offshore Investments II, LP (affiliates of
      Care, and collectively, "Care Capital") and Essex Woodlands Health Ventures V,
      L.P. ("Essex")
GCE
      Holdings was granted the right to designate four directors pursuant to a Voting
      Agreement dated as of February 6, 2004, as amended in November 2005, (the
      "Voting Agreement") entered into in connection with the sale of certain debt
      instruments by the Company in 2004. The Voting Agreement initially provided
      that
      each of Galen, Care Capital and Essex (collectively, the "Lead 2004 Investors")
      had the right to designate for nomination one member of the Company's Board
      of
      Directors, and that the Lead 2004 Investors collectively may designate one
      additional member of the Board (collectively, the "Designees"). In connection
      with the conversion of shares of the Company's preferred stock ("Preferred
      Shares") into common stock in November 2005, the Voting Agreement was amended to
      reflect the conveyance by each of Care Capital, Essex and Galen of their
      holdings in the Company's Preferred Shares to GCE Holdings, a limited liability
      company controlled by such parties. As amended, the Voting Agreement provides
      that the Board of Directors of the Company shall be comprised of not more than
      seven (7) members, four (4) of whom shall be designees of GCE Holdings (as
      the
      assignee of the Preferred Shares of the Company prior to the conversion of
      such
      Preferred Shares to Common Stock held by Care Capital, Essex and Galen).
The
      other
      designees of GCE Holdings serving on the Company's Board of Directors are
      Immanuel Thangaraj and Bruce F. Wesson. Prior to his resignation, Dr. Karabelas
      was a designee of GCE Holdings. As of the date of this Report, the fourth
      designee of GCE Holdings had not been determined.
Transactions
      with Management and Others
The
      Company is a party to four (4) Loan Agreements funded in (i) March 2006 and
      January 2006, (ii) November, 2005, (iii) September, 2005 and (iv) June, 2005
      pursuant to which the Company has received bridge financing in the aggregate
      principal amount $4.05 million from Essex
,
      Care
      Capital and Galen and certain other shareholders of the Company listed on the
      signature page to such Loan Agreements.
Mr.
      Markham
is a
      partner of Care, an affiliate of Care Capital.
Item
      9.01
Financial
      Statements and Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number
Description
99.1
Press
                Release dated May 15, 2006 announcing the appointment of Mr. Richard
                Markham to the Board of Directors and the resignation from the Board
                of
                Directors of Jerry Karabelas.
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 thereunto
      duly authorized.
ACURA
              PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Date: May
              15,
              2006
By:
/s/ Peter
              A.
              Clemens
Peter
                A. Clemens
Senior
                Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT
      INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
99.1
Press
                  Release dated May 15, 2006 announcing the appointment of Mr. Richard
                  Markham to the Board of Directors and the resignation from the
                  Board of
                  Directors of Jerry
                  Karabelas.