Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Announces Andrew Reddick, President & CEO, To Take Medical Leave and Appointment of Richard Markham as Chairman of...( PALATINE Ill. Feb. 27 /- AcuraPha...),Health

PALATINE, Ill., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACUR) announced that President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Reddick has begun a leave of absence for health reasons for an as-yet undetermined period. Mr. Reddick will continue to serve as a member of the Company's Board of Directors. At the same time, the Company announced that Richard Markham has been appointed to serve as non-executive Chairman of the Board. Mr. Markham has been a member of our Board of Directors since May, 2006. Since November 2004 Mr. Markham has served as a partner at Care Capital, LLC, a venture capital firm that primarily invests in life sciences companies. From May 2002 until August 2004, Mr. Markham was the Vice Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Operating Officer of Aventis SA. From December 1999 until May 2002 he was the Chief Executive Officer of Aventis Pharma AG. Previously he was the Chief Executive Officer of Hoechst Marion Roussel, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Marion Merrell Dow, Inc. and a member of its board of directors. From 1973 to 1993 Mr. Markham was associated with Merck & Co. Inc., culminating in his position as President and Chief Operating Officer.

The Company's Board of Directors, management and staff all wish Mr. Reddick a full and speedy recovery and look forward to his return as soon as possible.

About Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in research, development and manufacture of innovative Aversion(R) (abuse deterrent) Technology and related product candidates.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securi
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