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

September 16, 2005
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 are 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 8.01 Other Events

On September 16, 2005, Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release announcing completion of bridge financing in the principal amount of $500,000 pursuant to the terms of that certain Loan Agreement by and among the Company and Essex Woodlands Health Venture V, L.P., Care Capital Investments II, L.P., Care Capital Offshore Investments II, L.P., Galen Partners III, L.P., Galen Partners International III, L.P., and Galen Employee Fund III, L.P., dated September 16, 2005. A copy of the Company's press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit
Number
 Description
   
99.1
Press Release dated September 16, 2005 Announcing Completion of $500,000 Bridge Financing.
 
 
 
 

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
  Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: September 16, 2005
 
 
 
 

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
Number
 Description
   
99.1
Press Release dated September 16, 2005 Announcing Completion of $500,000 Bridge Financing.