<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>S-8</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August&nbsp;6, 2015 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:4pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>WASHINGTON, DC 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM S-8
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>UNDER </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 </I></B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Heron Therapeutics, Inc. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Delaware</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>94-2875566</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or other jurisdiction of</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>incorporation or organization)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(I.R.S. Employer</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Identification No.)</B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>123 Saginaw Drive </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Redwood City, California 94063 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Zip Code) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>2007 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as amended through June 9, 2015) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Full Title of the Plans) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Esm&eacute; C. Smith </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Heron Therapeutics, Inc. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>123 Saginaw Drive </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Redwood City, California 94063 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name and address of agent for service) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(650) 366-2626 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See
the definitions of &#147;large accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="16%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="60%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="20%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Large&nbsp;accelerated&nbsp;filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Accelerated filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#120;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Non-accelerated filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Smaller&nbsp;reporting&nbsp;company</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;page-break-before:always"></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:4pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="44%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; font-size:0pt">
<TD COLSPAN="9" VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Title of Securities</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>to be Registered</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Amount</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>to be</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Registered<SUP
STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(1)</SUP></B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Proposed</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Maximum</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Offering
Price</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Per Share</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Proposed</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Maximum<BR>Aggregate</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Offering Price</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"><B>Amount of<BR>Registration Fee</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(2)</SUP></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">4,400,000</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$33.25 <SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(3)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$146,300,000<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">(3)</SUP></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$17,000</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; font-size:0pt">
<TD COLSPAN="9" VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; font-size:0pt">
<TD COLSPAN="9" VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(1)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pursuant to Rule 416(a), this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares that become issuable by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected
without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (&#147;Common Stock&#148;), of Heron Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;
or the &#147;Registrant&#148;), or any anti-dilution provisions of the Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the &#147;2007 Plan&#148;) or the 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as amended through June&nbsp;9, 2015) (the
&#147;ESPP&#148;). </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(2)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Represents: (i)&nbsp;4,300,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2007 Plan, plus (ii)&nbsp;100,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(3)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">The maximum offering price per share and the maximum aggregate offering price are estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act
based upon the average of the high and low trading price as reported on The NASDAQ Capital Market on August&nbsp;4, 2015, which was $33.25. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On January&nbsp;14, 2008, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-148660</FONT> (the &#147;First 2007 Plan Registration Statement&#148;) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the&nbsp;&#147;SEC&#148;) relating to an aggregate of 150,000 shares of Common Stock
for issuance from time to time in connection with the 2007 Plan. On June&nbsp;15, 2010, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.&nbsp;333-167515 (the &#147;Second 2007 Plan Registration Statement&#148;), registering
an additional 100,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2007 Plan. On August&nbsp;17, 2011, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.&nbsp;333-176365 (the &#147;Third 2007 Plan Registration Statement&#148;),
registering an additional 4,500,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2007 Plan. On September&nbsp;19, 2014, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.&nbsp;333-198853 (the &#147;Fourth 2007 Plan Registration
Statement&#148;), registering an additional 1,750,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2007 Plan. Under this Registration Statement, the Company is hereby registering an additional 4,300,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2007
Plan, none of which have been issued as of the date of this Registration Statement. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On September&nbsp;8, 1997, the Company filed a
Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-35151</FONT> (the &#147;First ESPP Registration Statement&#148;), with the SEC relating to an aggregate of 5,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance from
time to time in connection with the ESPP. On August&nbsp;25, 2004, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-118546</FONT> (the &#147;Second ESPP Registration Statement&#148;),
with the SEC relating to an additional 1,250 shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP. On August&nbsp;15, 2005, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-127574</FONT>
(the&nbsp;&#147;Third ESPP Registration Statement&#148;), with the SEC relating to an additional 1,875 shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP. On October&nbsp;11, 2006, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-137954</FONT> (the &#147;Fourth ESPP Registration Statement&#148;), with the SEC relating to an additional 1,875 shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP. On January&nbsp;14, 2008, the Company filed a
Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-148660</FONT> (the &#147;Fifth ESPP Registration Statement&#148;), with the SEC relating to an additional 5,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the
ESPP. On October&nbsp;21, 2009, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-162610</FONT> (the &#147;Sixth ESPP Registration Statement&#148;), with the SEC relating to an
additional 10,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP. On August&nbsp;17, 2011, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-176366</FONT> (the &#147;Seventh ESPP
Registration Statement&#148;), with the SEC relating to an additional 25,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP. On September&nbsp;19, 2014, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-198853</FONT> (the &#147;Eighth ESPP Registration Statement&#148;), with the SEC relating to an additional 25,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP. Under this Registration Statement, the Company
is hereby registering an additional 100,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP, none of which have been issued as of the date of this Registration Statement. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">- 2 - </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to Instruction E of Form S-8, the contents of the First 2007 Plan Registration
Statement, the Second 2007 Plan Registration Statement, the Third 2007 Plan Registration Statement, the Fourth 2007 Plan Registration Statement, the First ESPP Registration Statement, the Second ESPP Registration Statement, the Third ESPP
Registration Statement, the Fourth ESPP Registration Statement, the Fifth ESPP Registration Statement, the Sixth ESPP Registration Statement, the Seventh ESPP Registration Statement and the Eighth ESPP Registration Statement are incorporated herein
by reference and made part of this Registration Statement on Form S-8. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PART I </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The information called for in Part 1 of Form S-8 is not being filed with or included in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 (by
incorporation, by reference or otherwise) in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PART II </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following documents filed with the SEC by the Company are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(a) The Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2014; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(b) The Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2015; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(c) The Company&#146;s Current Reports on Forms 8-K filed with the SEC on January&nbsp;15, 2015,&nbsp;March&nbsp;19, 2015,&nbsp;April&nbsp;2,
2015,&nbsp;April&nbsp;28, 2015,&nbsp;May&nbsp;13, 2015,&nbsp;May&nbsp;14, 2015,&nbsp;May&nbsp;28, 2015,&nbsp;May&nbsp;29, 2015,&nbsp;June&nbsp;9, 2015, June&nbsp;10, 2015,&nbsp;June&nbsp;11, 2015,&nbsp;June&nbsp;16, 2015,&nbsp;July&nbsp;1,
2015,&nbsp;July&nbsp;21, 2015 and July&nbsp;24, 2015 (in each case, not including any information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K, including the related exhibits, which information is not incorporated by reference herein); </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(d) The description of the Company&#146;s Common Stock contained in Amendment No.&nbsp;2 to that certain registration statement on Form 8-A,
filed with the Commission on January&nbsp;22, 2014 pursuant to Section&nbsp;12 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), including any subsequent amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating that description;
and </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(e) All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to
the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement. Under no circumstances will any information filed under items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form
8-K be deemed to be incorporated by reference unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">A list of exhibits filed with this Registration Statement is set forth in the Exhibit Index and is incorporated herein by reference. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">- 3 - </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SIGNATURES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of
the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Diego, State of California, on August&nbsp;6, 2015. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="6%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"><B>HERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">(Registrant)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Brian G. Drazba</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Brian G. Drazba</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Each of the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of Brian G. Drazba and Esm&eacute; C. Smith as his or her attorney-in-fact, with
power of substitution, in his or her name and in the capacity indicated below, to sign any and all further amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-8 and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="44%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:33.30pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Signature</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:15.95pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Title</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:16.00pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Date</B></P></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Barry D. Quart</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Chief Executive Officer and Director</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">August&nbsp;6,&nbsp;2015</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Barry D. Quart, Pharm.D.</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">(Principal Executive Officer)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Brian G. Drazba</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">August 6, 2015</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Brian G. Drazba</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Robert H. Rosen</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">President, Chief Commercial Officer and Director</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">August 6, 2015</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Robert H. Rosen</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Chairman of the Board of Directors</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">August 6, 2015</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Kevin C. Tang</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Craig A. Johnson</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Director</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">August 6, 2015</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Craig A. Johnson</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Kimberly J. Manhard</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Director</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">August 6, 2015</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Kimberly J. Manhard</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ John W. Poyhonen</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Director</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">August 6, 2015</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">John W. Poyhonen</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">- 4 - </P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="90%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:39.10pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;No.</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; width:39.50pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Description</B></P></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&nbsp;&nbsp;4.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Certificate of Incorporation, as amended through July 29, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-33221) for the quarter ended June 30, 2009), as amended by that Certificate of Amendment
of Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33221) filed on June 30, 2011), and as further amended by that Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated
herein by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33221) filed on January 13, 2014)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&nbsp;&nbsp;4.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated herein by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33221) filed on July 1, 2015)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&nbsp;&nbsp;5.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Opinion of Jones Day</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>23.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Consent of Jones Day (included in Exhibit 5.1 above)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>23.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Consent of OUM &amp; Co. LLP, the Registrant&#146;s independent registered accounting firm</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>24.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Power of Attorney (included on the signature page).</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit A to Registrant&#146;s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-33221) filed April 28, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as amended through June 9, 2015) (Filed as Exhibit B to Registrant&#146;s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-33221) filed April 28, 2015, and incorporated herein by
reference)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">- 5 - </P>

</BODY></HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "d52904ds8.htm", "description": "S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 40029}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "HERON THERAPEUTICS, INC. /DE/", "cik": "0000818033", "assigned-sic": "2834", "irs-number": "942875566", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-206165", "film-number": "151033381"}, "business-address": {"street1": "123 SAGINAW DRIVE", "city": "REDWOOD CITY", "state": "CA", "zip": "94063", "phone": "6503662626"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "123 SAGINAW DRIVE", "street2": "123 SAGINAW DRIVE", "city": "REDWOOD CITY", "state": "CA", "zip": "94063"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "AP PHARMA INC /DE/", "date-changed": "20010511"}, {"former-conformed-name": "ADVANCED POLYMER SYSTEMS INC /DE/", "date-changed": "19920703"}]}
S-8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2015
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Heron Therapeutics, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
94-2875566
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
123 Saginaw Drive
Redwood City, California 94063
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Zip Code)
2007 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan
1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as amended through June 9, 2015)
(Full Title of the Plans)
Esmé C. Smith
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Heron Therapeutics, Inc.
123 Saginaw Drive
Redwood City, California 94063
(Name and address of agent for service)
(650) 366-2626
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See
the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
¨
Accelerated filer
x
Non-accelerated filer
¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
¨
CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities
to be Registered
Amount
to be
Registered
(1)
Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price
Per Share
Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
Amount of
Registration Fee
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
(2)
4,400,000
$33.25
(3)
$146,300,000
(3)
$17,000
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416(a), this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares that become issuable by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected
without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Common Stock"), of Heron Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"
or the "Registrant"), or any anti-dilution provisions of the Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2007 Plan") or the 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as amended through June 9, 2015) (the
"ESPP").
(2)
Represents: (i) 4,300,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2007 Plan, plus (ii) 100,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP.
(3)
The maximum offering price per share and the maximum aggregate offering price are estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act
based upon the average of the high and low trading price as reported on The NASDAQ Capital Market on August 4, 2015, which was $33.25.
REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES
On January 14, 2008, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration
No. 333-148660
(the "First 2007 Plan Registration Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to an aggregate of 150,000 shares of Common Stock
for issuance from time to time in connection with the 2007 Plan. On June 15, 2010, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-167515 (the "Second 2007 Plan Registration Statement"), registering
an additional 100,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2007 Plan. On August 17, 2011, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-176365 (the "Third 2007 Plan Registration Statement"),
registering an additional 4,500,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2007 Plan. On September 19, 2014, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-198853 (the "Fourth 2007 Plan Registration
Statement"), registering an additional 1,750,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2007 Plan. Under this Registration Statement, the Company is hereby registering an additional 4,300,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2007
Plan, none of which have been issued as of the date of this Registration Statement.
On September 8, 1997, the Company filed a
Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration
No. 333-35151
(the "First ESPP Registration Statement"), with the SEC relating to an aggregate of 5,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance from
time to time in connection with the ESPP. On August 25, 2004, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration
No. 333-118546
(the "Second ESPP Registration Statement"),
with the SEC relating to an additional 1,250 shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP. On August 15, 2005, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration
No. 333-127574
(the "Third ESPP Registration Statement"), with the SEC relating to an additional 1,875 shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP. On October 11, 2006, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration
No. 333-137954
(the "Fourth ESPP Registration Statement"), with the SEC relating to an additional 1,875 shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP. On January 14, 2008, the Company filed a
Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration
No. 333-148660
(the "Fifth ESPP Registration Statement"), with the SEC relating to an additional 5,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the
ESPP. On October 21, 2009, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration
No. 333-162610
(the "Sixth ESPP Registration Statement"), with the SEC relating to an
additional 10,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP. On August 17, 2011, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration
No. 333-176366
(the "Seventh ESPP
Registration Statement"), with the SEC relating to an additional 25,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP. On September 19, 2014, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration
No. 333-198853
(the "Eighth ESPP Registration Statement"), with the SEC relating to an additional 25,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP. Under this Registration Statement, the Company
is hereby registering an additional 100,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP, none of which have been issued as of the date of this Registration Statement.
- 2 -
Pursuant to Instruction E of Form S-8, the contents of the First 2007 Plan Registration
Statement, the Second 2007 Plan Registration Statement, the Third 2007 Plan Registration Statement, the Fourth 2007 Plan Registration Statement, the First ESPP Registration Statement, the Second ESPP Registration Statement, the Third ESPP
Registration Statement, the Fourth ESPP Registration Statement, the Fifth ESPP Registration Statement, the Sixth ESPP Registration Statement, the Seventh ESPP Registration Statement and the Eighth ESPP Registration Statement are incorporated herein
by reference and made part of this Registration Statement on Form S-8.
PART I
The information called for in Part 1 of Form S-8 is not being filed with or included in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 (by
incorporation, by reference or otherwise) in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
The following documents filed with the SEC by the Company are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:
(a) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014;
(b) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015;
(c) The Company's Current Reports on Forms 8-K filed with the SEC on January 15, 2015, March 19, 2015, April 2,
2015, April 28, 2015, May 13, 2015, May 14, 2015, May 28, 2015, May 29, 2015, June 9, 2015, June 10, 2015, June 11, 2015, June 16, 2015, July 1,
2015, July 21, 2015 and July 24, 2015 (in each case, not including any information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K, including the related exhibits, which information is not incorporated by reference herein);
(d) The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in Amendment No. 2 to that certain registration statement on Form 8-A,
filed with the Commission on January 22, 2014 pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including any subsequent amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating that description;
and
(e) All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to
the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement. Under no circumstances will any information filed under items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form
8-K be deemed to be incorporated by reference unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary.
Item 8. Exhibits
A list of exhibits filed with this Registration Statement is set forth in the Exhibit Index and is incorporated herein by reference.
- 3 -
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of
the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Diego, State of California, on August 6, 2015.
HERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ Brian G. Drazba
Brian G. Drazba
Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each of the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of Brian G. Drazba and Esmé C. Smith as his or her attorney-in-fact, with
power of substitution, in his or her name and in the capacity indicated below, to sign any and all further amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-8 and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Barry D. Quart
Chief Executive Officer and Director
August 6, 2015
Barry D. Quart, Pharm.D.
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Brian G. Drazba
Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
August 6, 2015
Brian G. Drazba
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Robert H. Rosen
President, Chief Commercial Officer and Director
August 6, 2015
Robert H. Rosen
Chairman of the Board of Directors
August 6, 2015
Kevin C. Tang
/s/ Craig A. Johnson
Director
August 6, 2015
Craig A. Johnson
/s/ Kimberly J. Manhard
Director
August 6, 2015
Kimberly J. Manhard
/s/ John W. Poyhonen
Director
August 6, 2015
John W. Poyhonen
- 4 -
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
4.1
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended through July 29, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-33221) for the quarter ended June 30, 2009), as amended by that Certificate of Amendment
of Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33221) filed on June 30, 2011), and as further amended by that Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated
herein by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33221) filed on January 13, 2014)
4.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated herein by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33221) filed on July 1, 2015)
5.1
Opinion of Jones Day
23.1
Consent of Jones Day (included in Exhibit 5.1 above)
23.2
Consent of OUM & Co. LLP, the Registrant's independent registered accounting firm
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page).
99.1
Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit A to Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-33221) filed April 28, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference)
99.2
1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as amended through June 9, 2015) (Filed as Exhibit B to Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 001-33221) filed April 28, 2015, and incorporated herein by
reference)
- 5 -