Exhibit 5.1
John T. McKenna
+1 650 843 5059
jmckenna@cooley.com
November 15, 2021
AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
351 Galveston Drive
Redwood City, CA 94063
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have represented AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the offering and sale of (i) up to 17,500,000 of shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and (ii) warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase up to 17,500,000 of shares of Common Stock (the “Warrant Shares”) issuable upon exercise thereunder, all pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-239156) (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), the prospectus included in the Registration Statement (the “Base Prospectus”) and the prospectus supplement dated November 15, 2021, and filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act (together with the Base Prospectus, the “Prospectus”).
In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the form of Warrant, as to be filed as an exhibit to a current report of the Company on Form 8-K, the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, each as currently in effect, and such other documents, records, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies, the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of certificates of public officials, and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by all persons other than the Company where authorization, execution and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness thereof. As to certain factual matters, we have relied upon a certificate of an officer of the Company and have not independently verified such matters.
With regard to our opinion regarding the Warrants and the Warrant Shares, we express no opinion to the extent that future issuances of securities of the Company, including the Warrant Shares, and/or antidilution adjustments to outstanding securities fo the Company, including the Warrants, cause the Warrants to be exercisable for more shares of Common Stock than the number that then remain authorized but unissued. Further, we have assumed the exercise price of the Warrants will not be adjusted to an amount below the par value per share of the Common Stock.
With regard to our opinion concerning the Warrants constituting valid and binding obligations of the Company:
(i) Our opinion is subject to, and may be limited by, (a) applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, debtor and creditor, and similar laws which relate to or affect creditors’ rights generally, and (b) general principles of equity (including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing) regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
COOLEY LLP 3175 HANOVER STREET PALO ALTO, CA 94304-1130
T: (650) 843-5000 F: (650) 849-7400 WWW.COOLEY.COM
November 15, 2021
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(ii) Our opinion is subject to the qualification that the availability of specific performance, an injunction or other equitable remedies is subject to the discretion of the court before which the request is brought.
(iii) We express no opinion as to any provision of the Warrants that: (a) provides for liquidated damages, buy-in damages, monetary penalties, prepayment or make-whole payments or other economic remedies to the extent such provisions may constitute unlawful penalties, (b) relates to advance waivers of claims, defenses, rights granted by law, or notice, opportunity for hearing, evidentiary requirements, statutes of limitations, trial by jury, or procedural rights, (c) restricts non-written modifications and waivers, (d) provides for the payment of legal and other professional fees where such payment is contrary to law or public policy, (e) relates to exclusivity, election or accumulation of rights or remedies, or (f) authorizes or validates conclusive or discretionary determinations, or (g) provides that provisions of the Warrants are severable to the extent an essential part of the agreed exchange is determined to be invalid and unenforceable.
(iv) We express no opinion as to whether a state court outside of the State of New York or a federal court of the United States would give effect to the choice of New York law or jurisdiction provided for in the Warrants.
Our opinion is expressed only with respect to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We express no opinion to the extent that any other laws are applicable to the subject matter hereof and express no opinion and provide no assurance as to compliance with any federal or state securities law, rule or regulation.
On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that (i) the Shares, when sold and issued in accordance with the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable, (ii) provided that the Warrants have been duly executed and delivered by the Company to the purchasers thereof against payment therefor, the Warrants, when issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, and (iii) the Warrant Shares, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
Our opinion is limited to the matters stated herein and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. Our opinion is based on these laws as in effect on the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of facts, circumstances, events or developments which hereafter may be brought to our attention and which may alter, affect or modify the opinion expressed herein.
COOLEY LLP 3175 HANOVER STREET PALO ALTO, CA 94304-1130
T: (650) 843-5000 F: (650) 849-7400 WWW.COOLEY.COM
November 15, 2021
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We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission for incorporation by reference into the Registration Statement.
Sincerely,
Cooley LLP
By: /s/ John T. McKenna
John T. McKenna
COOLEY LLP 3175 HANOVER STREET PALO ALTO, CA 94304-1130
T: (650) 843-5000 F: (650) 849-7400 WWW.COOLEY.COM
