UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act Of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 25, 2021

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ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

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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)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging Growth Company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

As previously reported, on May 25, 20121 we held our Annual Meeting of Shareholders at which the shareholders voted for the adoption of our 2021 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan (the “Plan”). The material terms of the Plan are described under the captions “General”, “Administration”, “RSU Plan Eligibility”, “Terms”, “Amendment and Termination of the RSU Plan” and “Adjustments upon Changes in Capitalization or Merger” of Proposal 4 of our definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 12, 2021 (the "Proxy Statement"), which descriptions are incorporated by reference herein. The description of the Plan in the Proxy Statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

SIGNATURE

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.