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

December 10, 2009
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 Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(e)

On December 10, 2009 we awarded cash bonuses to, and effective January 1, 2010, increased the annual salaries of, the executive officers listed below, in the amounts provided:

Name
  
Title
  
Annual Salary
  
Bonus Award
  
Andrew D. Reddick
  
President and Chief Executive Officer
  
$377,000 (increased from $365,000)
   $ 140,000  
Robert B. Jones
  
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
  
$300,000 (increased from $290,000)
   $ 112,000  
Peter A. Clemens
  
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  
$211,500 (increased from $205,000)
   $ 74,000  
Albert W. Brzeczko
  
Vice President, Technical Affairs
  
$273,000 (increased from $265,000)
   $ 33,000  
Robert A. Seiser
  
Vice President, Controller and Treasurer
  
$165,000 (increased from $160,000)
   $ 21,500  
James F. Emigh
  
Vice President, Marketing and Administration
  
$165,000 (increased from $160,000)
   $ 20,000  
 
 
 
 

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.
   
By:
/s/ Peter A. Clemens
 
Peter A. Clemens
 
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Date:       December 10, 2009