ACELRX PHARMACEUTICALS INC (Form: 8-K, Received: 02/18/2011 15:06:30)

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): February 16, 2011

ACELRX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


DELAWARE	001-35068	41-2193603
(State of incorporation)	(Commission File No.)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

575 Chesapeake Drive

Redwood City, CA 94063

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (650) 216-3500

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 (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 5.03

AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS; CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR.

Amendment and Restatement of Certificate of Incorporation

On February 16, 2011, AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) filed an amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Restated Certificate”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in connection with the closing of the Company’s initial public offering of shares of its common stock. The Company’s board of directors and stockholders previously approved the Restated Certificate to be filed in connection with, and to be effective upon, the closing of the Company’s initial public offering.

The Restated Certificate amends and restates in its entirety the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to, among other things:

•

authorize 100,000,000 shares of common stock;

•

eliminate all references to the previously existing series of preferred stock and authorize 10,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock that may be issued from time to time by the Company’s board of directors in one or more series;

•

permit the Company’s board of directors to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws without obtaining stockholder approval;

•

require the approval of at least 66 2/3% of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws or repeal the provisions of the Restated Certificate;

•

require the approval of at least 66 2/3% of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors to remove directors with cause;

•

prohibit the removal of directors without cause, subject to the rights of any series of preferred stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances;

•

establish a classified board of directors, as a result of which the successors to the directors whose terms have expired will be elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting following their election;

•

prohibit stockholder action by written consent in lieu of a meeting, thereby requiring all stockholder actions to be taken at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders; and

•

require advance notice of stockholder nominations for election to the Company’s board of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the Company’s stockholders.

The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Restated Certificate, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Amendment and Restatement of Bylaws

On February 16, 2011, the Company adopted amended and restated bylaws in connection with the closing of the Company’s initial public offering of shares of its common stock. The Company’s board of directors and stockholders previously approved the amended and restated bylaws to be adopted in connection with, and to be effective upon, the closing of the Company’s initial public offering.

The amended and restated bylaws, among other things:

•

provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by (i) the chairman of the board of directors, (ii) the chief executive officer or (iii) the board of directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships;

•

establish advance notice requirements for stockholder nominations for election to the Company’s board of directors and for proposals to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the Company’s stockholders;

•

prohibit stockholder action by written consent in lieu of a meeting, thereby requiring all stockholder actions to be taken at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders;

•

set forth the rights, powers and manner of acting of the board of directors and officers of the Company;

•

permit the Company’s board of directors to create committees of the board of directors; and

•

provide for the indemnification of directors and officers of the Company, and allow the indemnification of employees and agents of the Company, in each case to the extent not prohibited by applicable law.

The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company’s amended and restated bylaws, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.01

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(d) Exhibits.


Exhibit Number		Description

3.1		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

3.2 ⁽¹⁾		Amended and Restated Bylaws of AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(1)	Previously filed as Exhibit 3.4 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (333-170594), filed with the Commission on January 7, 2011, and incorporated by reference herein.

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 hereunto duly authorized.


Date: February 18, 2011	AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

	By:	/s/ James H. Welch
		James H. Welch
		Chief Financial Officer

INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit Number		Description

3.1		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

3.2 ⁽¹⁾		Amended and Restated Bylaws of AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(1)	Previously filed as Exhibit 3.4 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (333-170594), filed with the Commission on January 7, 2011, and incorporated by reference herein.

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

ACELRX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify:

F IRST : The name of this corporation is AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

S ECOND : The original Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 13, 2005, under the name “SuRx, Inc.”

T HIRD : The Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation shall be amended and restated to read in full as follows:

The name of this corporation is AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

II.

The address of the registered office of this corporation in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, and the name of the registered agent of this corporation in the State of Delaware at such address is CorpAmerica, Inc.

III.

The purpose of this corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “ DGCL ”).

IV.

A. This corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “ Common Stock ” and “ Preferred Stock .” The total number of shares which this corporation is authorized to issue is 110,000,000 shares. 100,000,000 shares shall be Common Stock, each having a par value of $0.001. 10,000,000 shares shall be Preferred Stock, each having a par value of $0.001.

B. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors of this corporation (the “ Board of Directors ”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issue of all or any of the shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares and to determine or alter for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designation, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other rights and such qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such shares and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series

subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series shall be decreased in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock of this corporation entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock.

C. Each outstanding share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders of this corporation for their vote; provided, however , that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon by law or pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock).

For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of this corporation, and in further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of this corporation, of its directors and of its stockholders or any class thereof, as the case may be, it is further provided that:

1. M ANAGEMENT OF B USINESS

The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of this corporation shall be vested in its Board of Directors. The number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolutions adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors constituting the Board of Directors.

2. B OARD OF D IRECTORS

Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the directors shall be divided into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to such classes at the time the classification becomes effective. At the first annual meeting of stockholders following the initial classification of the Board of Directors, the term of office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the second annual meeting of stockholders following such initial classification, the term of office of the Class II

directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the third annual meeting of stockholders following such initial classification, the term of office of the Class III directors shall expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, each director shall serve until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

3. R EMOVAL OF D IRECTORS

a. Subject to the rights of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, neither the Board of Directors nor any individual director may be removed without cause.

b. Subject to any limitation imposed by law, any individual director or directors may be removed with cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 ² / 3 % of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of capital stock of this corporation entitled to vote generally at an election of directors, voting together as a single class.

4. V ACANCIES

Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors, shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified.

1. B YLAW A MENDMENTS . Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock that may be designated from time to time, the Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of this corporation. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of this corporation by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the authorized number of directors. The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of this corporation; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of this corporation required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 ² / 3 % of the voting power of all of the

then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of this corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

2. The directors of this corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.

3. No action shall be taken by the stockholders of this corporation except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with the Bylaws. No action shall be taken by the stockholders of this corporation by written consent or electronic transmission.

4. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of this corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of this corporation.

VI.

A. The liability of the directors for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent under applicable law. If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of this corporation shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

B. Any repeal or modification of this Article VI shall be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Article VI in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any act or omission to act giving rise to liability or indemnification.

VII.

A. This corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, except as provided in paragraph B of this Article VII, and all rights conferred upon the stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

B. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of this corporation required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any certificate of designation filed with respect to a series of Preferred Stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 ² / 3 % of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of this corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal Articles V, VI, and VII.

*******

F OURTH : This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted and approved by the Board of Directors of this corporation.

F IFTH : This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL by the Board of Directors and the stockholders of this corporation. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was approved by the holders of the requisite number of shares of this corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL.

[Signature Page Follows]

I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its President and Chief Executive Officer in Redwood City, California this 16 ^th day of February, 2011, who affirms that the statements made herein are true and correct.


A CEL R X P HARMACEUTICALS , I NC .

By:		/s/ Richard A. King
		Richard A. King
		President and Chief Executive Officer