VIA FACSIMILE AND EDGAR

February 1, 2011

Securities and Exchange Commission

Division of Corporation Finance

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, DC 20549-4720

 

Attn:

Jeffrey P. Riedler

Christine Allen

Lisa Vanjoske

Dan Greenspan

Sebastian Gomez Abero

 

Re:	AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-170594)

Dear Mr. Riedler:

Pursuant to Rule 461 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), we, as the representative of the underwriters, hereby join AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in requesting that the effective date of the above-referenced registration statement be accelerated to February 3, 2011, at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, or as soon thereafter as practicable.

In connection with this acceleration request and pursuant to Rule 418(a)(7) and Rule 460 under the Act, please be advised that from January 20, 2011 through the date hereof, the undersigned effected the following approximate distribution of copies of the Preliminary Prospectus dated January 20, 2011:

0 to prospective underwriters;

250 to 250 institutional investors;

50 to 5 prospective dealers; and

25 to others.

This is to further advise you that the underwriters have complied and will continue to comply with Rule 15c2-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

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cc:	Richard A. King, AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Mark B. Weeks, Cooley LLP

Chadwick L. Mills, Cooley LLP

David W. Pollak, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Albert Lung, Esq., Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Signature Page to Acceleration Request Letter