AcelRx Pharmaceuticals announced it entered into a new amended and restated credit facility with Hercules Technology Growth Capital that extends AcelRx’s relationship with Hercules, which was established in June 2011. The new facility provides for up to $40 million of new loans.

“The proceeds from this credit facility provide AcelRx with additional operating capital and contingency funding for our commercialization activities as we continue to prepare for the launch, if approved, of Zalviso™,” stated Richard King, president and CEO of AcelRx. “These proceeds also provide the financial flexibility to fund additional pipeline development programs should we decide to advance any of our pipeline opportunities forward. We appreciate the support of Hercules, and its confidence in Zalviso™ and the AcelRx management team.”

AcelRx drew the first tranche of $15 million at the closing of the new credit facility. AcelRx applied approximately $8.5 million of the proceeds to repay its outstanding obligations under the prior credit facility with Hercules. This repayment eliminated approximately $8.5 million of remaining scheduled principal payments in 2014. The second tranche of up to $10 million can be drawn, at AcelRx’s option, at any time prior to June 30, 2014. The third tranche of up to $15 million is conditioned upon the approval of Zalviso by the FDA, and if approved, can be drawn at AcelRx’s option, at any time between December 15, 2014 and March 15, 2015. AcelRx plans to use the proceeds of the remaining tranches to provide additional funding for the commercialization of Zalviso and as a potential source of funding for clinical trials for other development programs in its pipeline, and for general corporate purposes.

AcelRx Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of acute and breakthrough pain.