Document:

Forms of Notice of Grant of Stock Option, Stop Option Agreement and Stock Option

 Exhibit 10.3 
 ACELRX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. 
 NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK OPTION

 The Participant has been granted an option (the “Option”) to purchase certain shares of Stock of
AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. pursuant to the AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2006 Stock Plan (the “Plan”), as follows: 
  

			
	 Option Grant Number:
	  	
		
	 Participant:
	  	
		
	 Date of Grant:
	  	
		
	 Number of Option Shares:
	  	
		
	 Exercise Price:
	  	
		
	 Initial Vesting Date:
	  	
		
	 Option Expiration Date:
	  	
		
	 Tax Status of Option:
	  	
		
	Vested Shares:	  	Except as provided in the Stock Option Agreement, the number of Vested Shares (disregarding any resulting fractional share) as of any date is determined by multiplying the Number
of Option Shares by the “Vested Ratio” determined as of such date as follows:

 The Exercise
Price represents an amount the Company believes to be no less than the fair market value of a share of Stock as of the Date of Grant, determined in good faith in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. However, there is no
guarantee that the Internal Revenue Service will agree with the Company’s determination. A subsequent IRS determination that the Exercise Price is less than such fair market value could result in adverse tax consequences to the Participant. By
signing below, the Participant agrees that the Company, its directors, officers and shareholders shall not be held liable for any tax, penalty, interest or cost incurred by the Participant as a result of such determination by the IRS. The
Participant is urged to consult with his or her own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the Option, including the application of Section 409A. 
 By their signatures below, the Company and the Participant agree that the Option is governed by this Grant Notice and by the provisions of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement, both of which are
attached to and made a part of this document. The Participant acknowledges receipt of copies of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement, represents that the Participant has read and is familiar with their provisions, and hereby accepts the Option
subject to all of their terms and conditions. 
  

									
	ACELRX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.	  	PARTICIPANT	  	
					
	By:	  	  
	  		  	  
	  	
		  		  		  	Signature	  	
	Its:	  	  
	  		  	  
	  	
		  	Date	  	
	Address:         575 Chesapeake Drive	  		  	  
	  	
	                        Redwood City, CA
94063	  		  	Address	  	
		  		  	  
	  	

  

			
	ATTACHMENTS:	  	2006 Stock Plan, as amended to the Date of Grant; Stock Option Agreement and Exercise Notice

 THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF
CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THEREFOR PRIOR TO SUCH QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT FROM QUALIFICATION BY
SECTION 25100, 25102, OR 25105 OF THE CALIFORNIA CORPORATIONS CODE. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON SUCH QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE SALE IS SO EXEMPT. 

THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR
DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. NO SUCH SALE OR DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933. 
  
 ACELRX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. 

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT 
 AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has granted to the Participant named in the Notice of Grant of Stock Option (the “Grant Notice”) to which this Stock Option
Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) is attached an option (the “Option”) to purchase certain shares of Stock upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice and
this Option Agreement. The Option has been granted pursuant to and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and conditions of the AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2006 Stock Plan (the “Plan”), as amended to the
Date of Grant, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference. By signing the Grant Notice, the Participant: (a) acknowledges receipt of, and represents that the Participant has read and is familiar with the terms and conditions
of, the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement and the Plan, (b) accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement and the Plan, and (c) agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final
all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any questions arising under the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement or the Plan. 
  

	 	1.	DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION. 

1.1       Definitions.   Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms
shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Grant Notice or the Plan. 
 1.2
      Construction.   Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Option Agreement. Except
when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise. 

  
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	 	2.	TAX CONSEQUENCES. 

 2.1       Tax Status of Option.   This Option is intended to have the tax status designated in the Grant Notice. 

  (a)      Incentive Stock Option.   If the Grant Notice so
designates, this Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code, but the Company does not represent or warrant that this Option qualifies as such. The Participant should consult with the
Participant’s own tax advisor regarding the tax effects of this Option and the requirements necessary to obtain favorable income tax treatment under Section 422 of the Code, including, but not limited to, holding period requirements. (NOTE
TO PARTICIPANT: If the Option is exercised more than three (3) months after the date on which you cease to be an Employee (other than by reason of your death or permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code),
the Option will be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option and not as an Incentive Stock Option to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code.) 
   (b)      Nonstatutory Stock Option.   If the Grant Notice so designates, this Option is intended to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option and
shall not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code. 
 2.2
      ISO Fair Market Value Limitation.   If the Grant Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock Option, then to the extent that the Option (together with all Incentive Stock Options
granted to the Participant under all stock option plans of the Participating Company Group, including the Plan) becomes exercisable for the first time during any calendar year for shares having a Fair Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($100,000), the portion of such options which exceeds such amount will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 2.2, options designated as Incentive Stock Options are taken into account in the order in
which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock is determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a different limitation from that set forth in this Section 2.2,
such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the date required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If the Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by
reason of the limitation set forth in this Section 2.2, the Participant may designate which portion of such Option the Participant is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Participant shall be deemed to have exercised the
Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option first. Separate certificates representing each such portion shall be issued upon the exercise of the Option. (NOTE TO PARTICIPANT: If the aggregate Exercise Price of the Option (that is, the Exercise
Price multiplied by the Number of Option Shares) plus the aggregate exercise price of any other Incentive Stock Options you hold (whether granted pursuant to the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Participating Company Group) is greater than
$100,000, you should contact the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to ascertain whether the entire Option qualifies as an Incentive Stock Option.) 

  
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	 	3.	ADMINISTRATION. 

 All questions of interpretation concerning the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement and the Plan shall be determined by the Board. All determinations by the Board shall be final and binding upon all
persons having an interest in the Option. Any Officer shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein,
provided the Officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, or election. 
  

	 	4.	EXERCISE OF THE OPTION. 

4.1      Right to Exercise.  Except as otherwise provided herein, the Option shall
be exercisable on and after the Initial Vesting Date and prior to the termination of the Option (as provided in Section 6) in an amount not to exceed the number of vested shares less the number of shares previously acquired upon exercise of the
Option, subject to the Company’s repurchase rights set forth in Section 11. In no event shall the Option be exercisable for more shares than the Number of Option Shares, as adjusted pursuant to Section 9. 

4.2      Method of Exercise.  Exercise of the Option shall be by means of
electronic or written notice (the “Exercise Notice”) in a form authorized by the Company. An electronic Exercise Notice must be digitally signed or authenticated by the Participant in such manner as required by
the notice and transmitted to the Company or an authorized representative of the Company (including a third-party administrator designated by the Company). In the event that the Participant is not authorized or is unable to provide an electronic
Exercise Notice, the Option shall be exercised by a written Exercise Notice addressed to the Company, which shall be signed by the Participant and delivered in person, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, by confirmed facsimile
transmission, or by such other means as the Company may permit, to the Company, or an authorized representative of the Company (including a third-party administrator designated by the Company). Each Exercise Notice, whether electronic or written,
must state the Participant’s election to exercise the Option, the number of whole shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised and such other representations and agreements as to the Participant’s investment intent with respect
to such shares as may be required pursuant to the provisions of this Option Agreement. Further, each Exercise Notice must be received by the Company prior to the termination of the Option as set forth in Section 6 and must be accompanied by
full payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased. The Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such electronic or written Exercise Notice and the aggregate Exercise Price.

 4.3      Payment of Exercise Price. 

  (a)      Forms of Consideration Authorized.   Except as
otherwise provided below, payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised shall be made (i) in cash or by check or cash equivalent, (ii) if permitted by the Company, by
tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of whole shares of Stock owned by the Participant having a Fair Market Value not less than the aggregate Exercise Price, (iii) by means of a Cashless Exercise, as defined in
Section 4.3(b), or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing. 

  
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   (b)      Limitations on Forms of
Consideration. 
 (i)      Tender of Stock.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock to the extent such tender or attestation would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement
restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock. If required by the Company, the Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the
Participant for more than six (6) months or such other period, if any, required by the Company (and not used for another option exercise by attestation during such period) or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company.

 (ii)      Cashless Exercise.  A “Cashless
Exercise” means the delivery of a properly executed notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker in a form acceptable to the Company providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with
respect to some or all of the shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of the Option pursuant to a program or procedure approved by the Company (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T
as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, to establish, decline to approve, or terminate any
such program or procedure, including with respect to the Participant notwithstanding that such program or procedures may be available to others. 
 4.4      Tax Withholding.  At the time the Option is exercised, in whole or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, the
Participant hereby authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to the Participant, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for (including by means of a Cashless Exercise to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums
required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group, if any, which arise in connection with the Option. The Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock until the
tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group have been satisfied by the Participant. 

4.5      Certificate Registration.  Except in the event the Exercise Price
is paid by means of a Cashless Exercise, the certificate for the shares as to which the Option is exercised shall be registered in the name of the Participant, or, if applicable, in the names of the heirs of the Participant. 

4.6      Restrictions on Grant of the Option and Issuance of Shares.  The
grant of the Option and the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise of the Option shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state or foreign law with respect to such securities. The Option may not be exercised if
the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may
then be listed. In addition, the Option may not be exercised unless (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the Option be in effect with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option
or (ii) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option may be issued in accordance with 

  
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the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. THE PARTICIPANT IS CAUTIONED THAT THE OPTION MAY NOT BE EXERCISED UNLESS THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS
ARE SATISFIED. ACCORDINGLY, THE PARTICIPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE OPTION WHEN DESIRED EVEN THOUGH THE OPTION IS VESTED. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by
the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares subject to the Option shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite
authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the exercise of the Option, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or
regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company. 

4.7      Fractional Shares.  The Company shall not be required to issue
fractional shares upon the exercise of the Option. 
  

	 	5.	NONTRANSFERABILITY OF THE OPTION. 

During the lifetime of the Participant, the Option shall be exercisable only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or
legal representative. The Option shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, except
transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Following the death of the Participant, the Option, to the extent provided in Section 7, may be exercised by the Participant’s legal representative or by any person empowered to
do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution. 
  

	 	6.	TERMINATION OF THE OPTION. 

The Option shall terminate and may no longer be exercised after the first to occur of (a) the close of business on the Option
Expiration Date, (b) the close of business on the last date for exercising the Option following termination of the Participant’s Service as described in Section 7, or (c) a Change in Control to the extent provided in
Section 8. 
  

	 	7.	EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE. 

7.1      Option Exercisability.  The Option shall terminate immediately upon the
Participant’s termination of Service to the extent that it is then unvested and shall be exercisable after the Participant’s termination of Service to the extent it is then vested only during the applicable time period as determined below
and thereafter shall terminate. 

  (a)      Disability.  If the Participant’s Service
terminates because of the Disability of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for vested shares on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant (or the
Participant’s guardian or legal representative) at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

  
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  (b)      Death.  If the Participant’s Service terminates
because of the death of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for vested shares on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant’s legal representative or other
person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Participant’s death at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no
later than the Option Expiration Date. The Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death if the Participant dies within three (3) months after the Participant’s termination of Service. 

  (c)      Termination for Cause.  Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Option Agreement, if the Participant’s Service is terminated for Cause, the Option shall terminate and cease to be exercisable immediately upon such termination of Service. 

  (d)      Other Termination of Service.  If the
Participant’s Service terminates for any reason, except Disability, death or Cause, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for vested shares by the Participant on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may
be exercised by the Participant at any time prior to the expiration of three (3) months after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. 

7.2      Extension if Exercise Prevented by Law.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing other than termination for Cause, if the exercise of the Option within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 7.1 is prevented by the provisions of Section 4.6, the Option shall remain exercisable until three
(3) months after the date the Participant is notified by the Company that the Option is exercisable, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. 
  

	 	8.	CHANGE IN CONTROL. 

8.1      Effect of Change in Control on Awards.  In the event of a Change in Control, the
surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the “Acquiror”), may, without the consent of the Participant, assume or continue in full force and effect the Company’s rights
and obligations under the Option or any portion thereof or substitute for the Option or any portion thereof a substantially equivalent option for the Acquiror’s stock. For purposes of this Section, the Option shall be deemed assumed if,
following the Change in Control, the Option confers the right to receive, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, for each share of Stock subject to the Option immediately prior to the Change in Control, the
consideration (whether stock, cash, other securities or property or a combination thereof) to which a holder of a share of Stock on the effective date of the Change in Control was entitled; provided, however, that if such consideration is not solely
common stock of the Acquiror, the Board may, with the consent of the Acquiror, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option, for each share of Stock subject to the Option, to consist solely of common stock of the
Acquiror equal in Fair Market Value to the per share consideration received by holders of Stock pursuant to the Change in Control. The Option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the time of consummation of the Change in
Control to the extent that the Option is neither assumed or continued by the Acquiror in connection with the Change in Control nor exercised as of the date of the Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares acquired upon exercise of the
Option prior to the Change in Control and any consideration received pursuant to the Change 

  
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in Control with respect to such shares shall continue to be subject to all applicable provisions of this Option Agreement except as otherwise provided herein. 

8.2      Acceleration of Vesting.  [For executive officers: The other provisions of this
Section 8 notwithstanding, if Participant’s Service terminates as a result of an Involuntary Termination or termination without Cause at any time within eighteen (18) months after a Change in Control, and the Participant signs a
general release of claims against the Company, any shares that are not vested shares shall become fully vested upon such termination. For purposes of this Agreement “Involuntary Termination” shall mean Participant’s
termination of Service with the Company within thirty (30) days following the occurrence of any of the following without Participant’s consent: (i) a material reduction or change in job duties, reporting relationships,
responsibilities and requirements inconsistent with Participant’s position with the Company and prior duties, reporting relationships, responsibilities and requirements prior to the Change in Control, provided that neither a mere change in
title alone nor reassignment following a Change in Control to a position that is substantially similar to the position held prior to the Change in Control in terms of job duties, responsibilities or requirements shall constitute a material reduction
in job responsibilities; (ii) a reduction in Participant’s then-current base salary by at lease 20%, provided that an across-the-board reduction in the salary level of all other senior executives by the same percentage amount as a part of
a general salary level reduction shall not constitute such a salary reduction or (iii) Participant’s refusal to relocate the principal place for performance of Company duties to a location more than thirty (30) miles from the
Company’s then current location at the time of the Change in Control.] [For non-employee directors: Notwithstanding the vesting schedule in the Notice of Grant of Stock Option, in the event that the Company consummates a Change in Control, 100%
of the Shares shall vest and become exercisable immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control.] 
  

	 	9.	ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE.

 Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, in the event of any change in the Stock
effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, whether through merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off,
combination of shares, exchange of shares, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, or in the event of payment of a dividend or distribution to the stockholders of the Company in a form other than Stock (excepting normal cash
dividends) that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock, appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number, Exercise Price and kind of shares subject to the Option, in order to prevent dilution or
enlargement of the Participant’s rights under the Option. For purposes of the foregoing, conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as “effected without receipt of consideration by the Company.” Any
fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number and the Exercise Price shall be rounded up to the nearest whole cent. In no event may the Exercise Price be decreased to an
amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to the Option. Such adjustments shall be determined by the Board, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive. 

 

	 	10.	RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER, DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEE OR
CONSULTANT. 

 The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with
respect to any shares covered by the Option until the date of the issuance of the shares for which the Option has been exercised (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized

  
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transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date the shares are issued, except as provided
in Section 9. If the Participant is an Employee, the Participant understands and acknowledges that, except as otherwise provided in a separate, written employment agreement between a Participating Company and the Participant, the
Participant’s employment is “at will” and is for no specified term. Nothing in this Option Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the Service of a Participating Company or interfere in any way with any
right of the Participating Company Group to terminate the Participant’s Service as a Director, an Employee or Consultant, as the case may be, at any time. 
  

	 	11.	RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. 

11.1      Grant of Right of First Refusal.  Except as provided in
Section 11.7 and Section 16 below, in the event the Participant, the Participant’s legal representative, or other holder of shares acquired upon exercise of the Option proposes to sell, exchange, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose
of any vested shares (the “Transfer Shares”) to any person or entity, including, without limitation, any stockholder of a Participating Company, the Company shall have the right to repurchase the Transfer Shares
under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 11 (the “Right of First Refusal”). 
 11.2      Notice of Proposed Transfer.  Prior to any proposed transfer of the Transfer Shares, the Participant shall deliver written notice
(the “Transfer Notice”) to the Company describing fully the proposed transfer, including the number of Transfer Shares, the name and address of the proposed transferee (the “Proposed
Transferee”) and, if the transfer is voluntary, the proposed transfer price, and containing such information necessary to show the bona fide nature of the proposed transfer. In the event of a bona fide gift or involuntary
transfer, the proposed transfer price shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of the Transfer Shares, as determined by the Board in good faith. If the Participant proposes to transfer any Transfer Shares to more than one Proposed Transferee, the
Participant shall provide a separate Transfer Notice for the proposed transfer to each Proposed Transferee. The Transfer Notice shall be signed by both the Participant and the Proposed Transferee and must constitute a binding commitment of the
Participant and the Proposed Transferee for the transfer of the Transfer Shares to the Proposed Transferee subject only to the Right of First Refusal. 
 11.3      Bona Fide Transfer.  If the Company determines that the information provided by the Participant in the Transfer Notice is
insufficient to establish the bona fide nature of a proposed voluntary transfer, the Company shall give the Participant written notice of the Participant’s failure to comply with the procedure described in this Section 11, and the
Participant shall have no right to transfer the Transfer Shares without first complying with the procedure described in this Section 11. The Participant shall not be permitted to transfer the Transfer Shares if the proposed transfer is not bona
fide. 
 11.4      Exercise of Right of First Refusal.  If the
Company determines the proposed transfer to be bona fide, the Company shall have the right to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Transfer Shares (except as the Company and the Participant otherwise agree) at the purchase price and on the
terms set forth in the Transfer Notice by delivery to the Participant of a notice of exercise of the Right of First Refusal within thirty (30) days after the date the Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company. The Company’s exercise or
failure to exercise the 

  
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Right of First Refusal with respect to any proposed transfer described in a Transfer Notice shall not affect the Company’s right to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to any
proposed transfer described in any other Transfer Notice, whether or not such other Transfer Notice is issued by the Participant or issued by a person other than the Participant with respect to a proposed transfer to the same Proposed Transferee. If
the Company exercises the Right of First Refusal, the Company and the Participant shall thereupon consummate the sale of the Transfer Shares to the Company on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice within sixty (60) days after the date the
Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company (unless a longer period is offered by the Proposed Transferee); provided, however, that in the event the Transfer Notice provides for the payment for the Transfer Shares other than in cash, the Company
shall have the option of paying for the Transfer Shares by the present value cash equivalent of the consideration described in the Transfer Notice as reasonably determined by the Company. For purposes of the foregoing, cancellation of any
indebtedness of the Participant to any Participating Company shall be treated as payment to the Participant in cash to the extent of the unpaid principal and any accrued interest canceled. 

11.5      Failure to Exercise Right of First Refusal.  If the Company fails
to exercise the Right of First Refusal in full (or to such lesser extent as the Company and the Participant otherwise agree) within the period specified in Section 11.4 above, the Participant may conclude a transfer to the Proposed Transferee
of the Transfer Shares on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice, provided such transfer occurs not later than ninety (90) days following delivery to the Company of the Transfer Notice. The Company shall have the right to
demand further assurances from the Participant and the Proposed Transferee (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that the transfer of the Transfer Shares was actually carried out on the terms and conditions described in the Transfer Notice. No
Transfer Shares shall be transferred on the books of the Company until the Company has received such assurances, if so demanded, and has approved the proposed transfer as bona fide. Any proposed transfer on terms and conditions different from those
described in the Transfer Notice, as well as any subsequent proposed transfer by the Participant, shall again be subject to the Right of First Refusal and shall require compliance by the Participant with the procedure described in this
Section 11. 
 11.6      Transferees of Transfer Shares.  All
transferees of the Transfer Shares or any interest therein, other than the Company, shall be required as a condition of such transfer to agree in writing (in a form satisfactory to the Company) that such transferee shall receive and hold such
Transfer Shares or interest therein subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, including this Section 11 providing for the Right of First Refusal with respect to any subsequent transfer. Any sale or transfer of any
shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be void unless the provisions of this Section 11 are met. 

11.7      Transfers Not Subject to Right of First Refusal.  The Right of
First Refusal shall not apply to any transfer or exchange of the shares acquired upon exercise of the Option if such transfer or exchange is in connection with an Ownership Change Event. If the consideration received pursuant to such transfer or
exchange consists of stock of a Participating Company, such consideration shall remain subject to the Right of First Refusal unless the provisions of Section 11.9 below result in a termination of the Right of First Refusal. 

  
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 11.8      Assignment of Right of First
Refusal.  The Company shall have the right to assign the Right of First Refusal at any time, whether or not there has been an attempted transfer, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company. 

11.9      Early Termination of Right of First Refusal.  The other
provisions of this Option Agreement notwithstanding, the Right of First Refusal shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon (a) the occurrence of a Change in Control, unless the Acquiror assumes the Company’s rights and
obligations under the Option or substitutes a substantially equivalent option for the Acquiror’s stock for the Option, or (b) the existence of a public market for the class of shares subject to the Right of First Refusal. A
“public market” shall be deemed to exist if (i) such stock is listed on a national securities exchange (as that term is used in the Exchange Act) or (ii) such stock is traded on the over-the-counter
market and prices therefor are published daily on business days in a recognized financial journal. 
  

	 	12.	STOCK DISTRIBUTIONS SUBJECT TO OPTION AGREEMENT.

 If, from time to time, there is any stock dividend, stock split or other change, as described in
Section 9, in the character or amount of any of the outstanding stock of the corporation the stock of which is subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement, then in such event any and all new, substituted or additional securities to which
the Participant is entitled by reason of the Participant’s ownership of the shares acquired upon exercise of the Option shall be immediately subject to the Right of First Refusal with the same force and effect as the shares subject to the Right
of First Refusal immediately before such event. 
  

	 	13.	NOTICE OF SALES UPON DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION.

 The Participant shall dispose of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option only in accordance with the
provisions of this Option Agreement. In addition, if the Grant Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock Option, the Participant shall (a) promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of the Company if the Participant disposes
of any of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option within one (1) year after the date the Participant exercises all or part of the Option or within two (2) years after the Date of Grant and (b) provide the Company with a description
of the circumstances of such disposition. Until such time as the Participant disposes of such shares in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Option Agreement, unless otherwise expressly authorized by the Company, the Participant shall
hold all shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the Participant’s name (and not in the name of any nominee) for the one-year period immediately after the exercise of the Option and the two-year period immediately after Date of Grant. At any
time during the one-year or two-year periods set forth above, the Company may place a legend on any certificate representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option requesting the transfer agent for the Company’s stock to notify the Company of
any such transfers. The obligation of the Participant to notify the Company of any such transfer shall continue notwithstanding that a legend has been placed on the certificate pursuant to the preceding sentence. 

 

	 	14.	LEGENDS. 

 The Company may at any time place legends referencing the Right of First Refusal and any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates representing shares of stock
subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement. The Participant shall, at the 

  
 10 

 
request of the Company, promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the possession of the Participant in order to carry out the
provisions of this Section. Unless otherwise specified by the Company, legends placed on such certificates may include, but shall not be limited to, the following: 
 14.1      “THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED
OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, THE SALE IS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 OR RULE 701 UNDER THE ACT, OR THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY
SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT.” 

14.2      “THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON
TRANSFER, INCLUDING A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION OR ITS ASSIGNEE SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER, OR SUCH HOLDER’S PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT
THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THIS CORPORATION.” 
 14.3      “THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS
CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED BY THE CORPORATION TO THE REGISTERED HOLDER UPON EXERCISE OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 422 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (“ISO”). IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE
PREFERENTIAL TAX TREATMENT AFFORDED TO ISOs, THE SHARES SHOULD NOT BE TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO [INSERT DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION DATE HERE]. SHOULD THE REGISTERED HOLDER ELECT TO TRANSFER ANY OF THE SHARES PRIOR TO THIS DATE AND FOREGO ISO TAX
TREATMENT, THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE SHARES SHALL NOTIFY THE CORPORATION IMMEDIATELY. THE REGISTERED HOLDER SHALL HOLD ALL SHARES PURCHASED UNDER THE INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION IN THE REGISTERED HOLDER’S NAME (AND NOT IN THE NAME OF ANY NOMINEE)
PRIOR TO THIS DATE OR UNTIL TRANSFERRED AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.” 
  

	 	15.	LOCK-UP AGREEMENT. 

The Participant hereby agrees that in the event of any underwritten public offering of stock, including an initial public offering of
stock, made by the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, the Participant shall not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, hypothecate, grant any option to purchase or make any short sale of, or
otherwise dispose of any shares of stock of the Company or any rights to acquire stock of the Company for such period of time from and after the effective date of such registration statement as may be established by the underwriter for such public
offering; provided, however, that such period of time shall not exceed one hundred eighty (180) days from the effective date of the registration statement to be filed in connection with such public offering. The foregoing limitation shall not
apply to shares registered in the public offering under the Securities Act. The 

  
 11 

 
Participant hereby agrees to enter into any agreement reasonably required by the underwriters to implement the foregoing within a reasonable timeframe if so requested by the Company. 

 

	 	16.	RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SHARES. 

No shares acquired upon exercise of the Option may be sold, exchanged, transferred (including, without limitation, any transfer to a
nominee or agent of the Participant), assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, including by operation of law in any manner which violates any of the provisions of this Option Agreement, and any such attempted disposition shall be
void. The Company shall not be required (a) to transfer on its books any shares which will have been transferred in violation of any of the provisions set forth in this Option Agreement or (b) to treat as owner of such shares or to accord
the right to vote as such owner or to pay dividends to any transferee to whom such shares will have been so transferred. 
  

	 	17.	MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. 

17.1      Further Instruments.  The parties hereto agree to execute such further
instruments and to take such further action as may reasonably be necessary to carry out the intent of this Option Agreement. 

17.2      Binding Effect.  Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, this
Option Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. 
 17.3      Termination or Amendment.  The Board may terminate or amend the Plan or the Option at any time; provided, however, that except as provided in
Section 8 in connection with a Change in Control, no such termination or amendment may adversely affect the Option or any unexercised portion hereof without the consent of the Participant unless such termination or amendment is necessary to
comply with any applicable law or government regulation. No amendment or addition to this Option Agreement shall be effective unless in writing. 
 17.4      Delivery of Documents and Notices.  Any document relating to participation in the Plan, or any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be
given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (except to the extent that this Option Agreement provides for effectiveness only upon actual receipt of such notice) upon personal delivery electronic delivery at the e-mail address, if any,
provided for the Participant by the Participating Company, or, upon deposit in the U.S. Post Office or foreign postal service, by registered or certified mail, or with a nationally recognized overnight courier service with postage and fees prepaid,
addressed to the other party at the address of such party set forth in the Grant Notice or at such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party. 

  (a)      Description of Electronic Delivery.  The Plan
documents, which may include but do not necessarily include: the Plan, the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement, and any reports of the Company provided generally to the Company’s shareholders, may be delivered to the Participant electronically.
In addition, if permitted by the Company, the Participant may deliver electronically the Grant Notice and Exercise Notice called for by Section 4.2 to the Company or to such third party involved in administering the Plan as the Company may
designate from time to time. Such means of electronic delivery may include but 

  
 12 

 
do not necessarily include the delivery of a link to a Company intranet or the internet site of a third party involved in administering the Plan, the delivery of the document via e-mail or such
other means of electronic delivery specified by the Company. 
   (b)      Consent
to Electronic Delivery.  The Participant acknowledges that the Participant has read Section 17.4(a) of this Option Agreement and consents to the electronic delivery of the Plan documents and, if permitted by the Company, the
delivery of the Grant Notice and Exercise Notice, as described in Section 17.4(a). The Participant acknowledges that he or she may receive from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically at no cost to the Participant by
contacting the Company by telephone or in writing. The Participant further acknowledges that the Participant will be provided with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails. Similarly, the Participant
understands that the Participant must provide the Company or any designated third party administrator with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails. The Participant may revoke his or her consent to
the electronic delivery of documents described in Section 17.4(a) or may change the electronic mail address to which such documents are to be delivered (if Participant has provided an electronic mail address) at any time by notifying the
Company of such revoked consent or revised e-mail address by telephone, postal service or electronic mail. Finally, the Participant understands that he or she is not required to consent to electronic delivery of documents described in
Section 17.4(a). 
 17.5      Integrated Agreement.  The Grant Notice, this
Option Agreement and the Plan, together with any employment, service or other agreement with the Participant and a Participating Company referring to the Option, shall constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the Participant and the
Participating Company Group with respect to the subject matter contained herein or therein and supersede any prior agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations, or warranties among the Participant and the Participating Company Group
with respect to such subject matter. To the extent contemplated herein or therein, the provisions of the Grant Notice, the Option Agreement and the Plan shall survive any exercise of the Option and shall remain in full force and effect. 

17.6      Applicable Law.  This Option Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of California as such laws are applied to agreements between California residents entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of California. 
 17.7      Counterparts.  The Grant Notice may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument. 

  
 13 

			
	  ̈  Incentive Stock Option

 ̈  Nonstatutory Stock Option
	  	        Participant:

 Date: ___________________________ 
 STOCK OPTION EXERCISE NOTICE 

AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 
 Attention: Chief
Financial Officer 
 575 Chesapeake Drive 
 Redwood City, CA 94063 
 Ladies and Gentlemen: 

1.        Option.  I was granted an option (the
“Option”) to purchase shares of the common stock (the “Shares”) of AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) pursuant to the
Company’s 2006 Stock Plan (the “Plan”), my Notice of Grant of Stock Option (the “Grant Notice”) and my Stock Option Agreement (the “Option
Agreement”) as follows: 
 Date of Grant: 

Number of Option Shares: 
 Exercise Price per Share: 

2.        Exercise of Option.  I hereby elect to exercise the Option to
purchase the following number of Shares, all of which are vested shares, in accordance with the Grant Notice and the Option Agreement: 
  

							
	 Total Shares Purchased:
	  	 	________________________	  
			
	 Total Exercise Price
	 	 (Total Shares X Price per Share)
	  	 	$_______________________	  

3.        Payments.  I enclose payment in full of the total exercise
price for the Shares in the following form(s), as authorized by my Option Agreement: 
  

					
	  ̈ Cash:
	  	 	$______________	  
	 ______
	  			

  

					
	  ̈ Check:
	  	 	$_______________________	  
		
	  ̈ Tender of Company Stock:
	  	 	Contact Plan Administrator	  

  
 1 

 4.        Tax
Withholding.  I authorize payroll withholding and otherwise will make adequate provision for the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company, if any, in connection with the Option. If I am
exercising a Nonstatutory Stock Option, I enclose payment in full of my withholding taxes, if any, as follows: 
 (Contact
Plan Administrator for amount of tax due.) 
  

					
	  ̈ Cash:
	  	 	$______________	  
	 ______
	  			

  

					
	  ̈ Check:
	  	 	$_______________________	  

5.        Participant Information. 

 

			
	My address is:	  	  

		
		  	  

			
		
	My Social Security Number is:	  	  

6.        Notice of Disqualifying Disposition.  If the Option is an
Incentive Stock Option, I agree that I will promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of the Company if I transfer any of the Shares within one (1) year from the date I exercise all or part of the Option or within two (2) years of the
Date of Grant. 
 7.        Binding Effect.  I agree that the
Shares are being acquired in accordance with and subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, including the Right of First Refusal set forth therein, and the Plan, to all of which I hereby expressly
assent. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. 
 8.        Transfer.  I understand and acknowledge that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“Securities Act”), and that consequently the Shares must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act, an exemption from such registration is available, or they are sold
in accordance with Rule 144 or Rule 701 under the Securities Act. I further understand and acknowledge that the Company is under no obligation to register the Shares. I understand that the certificate or certificates evidencing the Shares
will be imprinted with legends which prohibit the transfer of the Shares unless they are registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of legal counsel satisfactory to the Company. 

I am aware that Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which permits limited public resale of securities acquired in a nonpublic
offering, is not currently available with respect to the Shares and, in any event, is available only if certain conditions are satisfied. I understand that any sale of the Shares that might be made in reliance upon Rule 144 may only be made in
limited amounts in accordance with the terms and conditions of such rule and that a copy of Rule 144 will be delivered to me upon request. 
 I understand that I am purchasing the Shares pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Grant Notice and my Option Agreement, copies of which I have received and carefully read and understand. 

 

	
	Very truly yours,
	
	  

	(Signature)

 Receipt of the above is hereby
acknowledged. 

  
 2 

			
	ACELRX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
		
	By:	 	  

		
	Title:	 	  

		
	Dated:	 	  

  
 3Forms of Stock Option Grant Notice, Stock Option Exercise Notice and Stock...

 Exhibit 10.5 
 ACELRX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. 
 STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE 
 (2011 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN) 
 AcelRx
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants to Optionholder an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common
Stock set forth below. This option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Option Agreement, the Plan, and the Notice of Exercise, all of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety.

  

			
	 Optionholder:
	  	  

	 Date of Grant:
	  	  

	 Vesting Commencement Date:
	  	  

	 Number of Shares Subject to Option:
	  	  

	 Exercise Price (Per Share):
	  	  

	 Total Exercise Price:
	  	  

	 Expiration Date:
	  	  

 

					
	Type of Grant:	  	 ̈ Incentive Stock Option	  	 ̈ Nonstatutory Stock Option
			
	Exercise Schedule:	  	 ̈ Same as Vesting Schedule	  	
		
	Vesting Schedule:	  	Subject to Continuous Service on each vesting date,
[                    ]
		
	 Change in Control 

Acceleration:
	  	See Section 1 of the Option Agreement
		
	Payment:	  	 By one or a combination of the following items (described in the Option Agreement):

 

			
		  	 x       By cash or check
	  	
		
		  	 x       By bank draft or money
order payable to the Company

		
		  	 x       Pursuant to a Regulation T
Program if the Shares are publicly traded

		
		  	 x       By delivery of
already-owned shares if the Shares are publicly traded

		
		  	 x        If and only to the
extent this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, and subject to the Company’s consent at the time of exercise, by a “net exercise” arrangement 

 Additional Terms/Acknowledgements: The undersigned Optionholder acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement and the Plan.
Optionholder further acknowledges that as of the Date of Grant, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Optionholder and the Company regarding the acquisition of stock in the
Company and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on that subject with the exception of (i) options previously granted and delivered to Optionholder by the Company under the Plan or the Company’s 2006 Stock Plan, and
(ii) the following agreements only: 
  

							
	 OTHER AGREEMENTS:
	 		  	 
		  		 		  	 
		
	ACELRX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.	 	OPTIONHOLDER:
	By:	  	 	 		  	
		  	Signature	 		  	Signature
	Title:	  	 	 	Date:	  	 
	Date:	  	 	 		  	

 ATTACHMENTS: Option Agreement, 2011 Equity Incentive Plan and Notice of Exercise

 ATTACHMENT I 

ACELRX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. 

2011 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN 

OPTION AGREEMENT 
 (INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION OR NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION) 

Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”) and this Option Agreement, AcelRx Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. (the “Company”) has granted you an option under its 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice at
the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. Defined terms not explicitly defined in this Option Agreement but defined in the Plan shall have the same definitions as in the Plan. 

The details of your option are as follows: 
 1. VESTING; CHANGE IN CONTROL ACCELERATION. 
 (a) Subject to the limitations contained herein and the potential vesting acceleration provisions set forth in Section 9 of the Plan and Section 1(b) below, your option will vest as
provided in your Grant Notice, provided that vesting will cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service. 
 (b)
[For non-employee directors: Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Change in Control, the vesting of any then-unvested portion of your option shall accelerate in full such that 100% of the then unvested shares underlying such option
will become vested and exercisable as of immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control.][For executive officers: Notwithstanding the foregoing, if your Continuous Service terminates as a result of a termination by the Company
without Cause or a voluntary resignation for Good Reason at any time on or within eighteen (18) months after a Change in Control, and provided you sign a general release of claims against the Company that is effective not later than 30 days
after your termination, then the vesting of any then-unvested portion of your option shall accelerate in full such that 100% of the then unvested shares underlying such option will become vested and exercisable as of your termination date.

 (i) For purposes of this Option Agreement, “Good Reason” means your voluntary
resignation from all positions you then hold with the Company within sixty (60) days following the occurrence of any of the following events without your written consent and after providing written notice of such event to the Company and
providing the Company at least thirty (30) days to cure such event: (i) a material reduction or change in your job duties, reporting relationships, responsibilities and requirements inconsistent with your position with the Company and
prior duties, reporting relationships, responsibilities and requirements prior to the Change in Control, provided that neither a mere change in title alone nor reassignment following a Change in Control to a position that is substantially similar to
the position held prior to the Change in Control in terms of job duties, responsibilities or requirements shall constitute a 

 
material reduction in job responsibilities; (ii) a reduction in your then-current base salary by at least 20%, provided that an across-the-board reduction in the salary level of all other
senior executives by the same percentage amount as part of a general salary level reduction shall not constitute such a salary reduction, or (iii) the relocation of your principal place for performance of your Company duties to a location more
than thirty (30) miles from the Company’s then current location at the time of the Change in Control.] 
 2.
NUMBER OF SHARES AND EXERCISE PRICE. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to your option and your exercise price per share referenced in your Grant
Notice may be adjusted from time to time for Capitalization Adjustments. 
 3. EXERCISE
RESTRICTION FOR NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEES. In the event that you are an Employee eligible for overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended
(i.e., a “Non-Exempt Employee”), and except as otherwise provided in the Plan, you may not exercise your option until you have completed at least six (6) months of Continuous Service measured from the Date of
Grant specified in your Grant Notice, notwithstanding any other provision of your option. 
 4. EXERCISE
PRIOR TO VESTING (“EARLY EXERCISE”). If permitted in your Grant Notice (i.e., the “Exercise Schedule” indicates “Early Exercise
Permitted”) and subject to the provisions of your option, you may elect at any time that is both (i) during the period of your Continuous Service and (ii) during the term of your option, to exercise all or part of your option,
including the unvested portion of your option; provided, however, that: 
 (a) a partial exercise of your option
shall be deemed to cover first vested shares of Common Stock and then the earliest vesting installment of unvested shares of Common Stock; 
 (b) any shares of Common Stock so purchased from installments that have not vested as of the date of exercise shall be subject to the purchase option in favor of the Company as described in the
Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement; 
 (c) you shall enter into the Company’s form of
Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement with a vesting schedule that will result in the same vesting as if no early exercise had occurred; and 
 (d) if your option is an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which your
option plus all other Incentive Stock Options you hold are exercisable for the first time by you during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), your option(s) or portions
thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. 
 5. METHOD OF PAYMENT. Payment of the exercise price is due in full upon exercise of all or any part of your option. You may elect to make payment of the
exercise price in cash or by check or in any other manner permitted by your Grant Notice, which may include one or more of the following: 

 (a) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded,
pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of Common Stock, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to
pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds. 
 (b) Provided that at the time of exercise the
Common Stock is publicly traded, by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of already-owned shares of Common Stock that are owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, and that are
valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. “Delivery” for these purposes, in the sole discretion of the Company at the time you exercise your option, shall include delivery to the Company of your attestation of ownership of such
shares of Common Stock in a form approved by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may not exercise your option by tender to the Company of Common Stock to the extent such tender would violate the provisions of any law, regulation or
agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock. 
 (c) If the Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option,
subject to the consent of the Company at the time of exercise, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option by the largest
whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; provided, however, that the Company shall accept a cash or other payment from you to the extent of any remaining balance of the aggregate
exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued; provided further, however, that shares of Common Stock will no longer be outstanding under your option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent
that (1) shares are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (2) shares are delivered to you as a result of such exercise, and (3) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations, if any.

 6. WHOLE SHARES. You may exercise your option only for whole shares of Common Stock.

 7. SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, you may not exercise your option unless the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise are then registered under the Securities Act or, if such shares of Common Stock are not then so registered, the Company has determined
that such exercise and issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of your option also must comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing your option, and you may not exercise your
option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations. 
 8.
TERM. You may not exercise your option before the commencement or after the expiration of its term. The term of your option commences on the Date of Grant and expires, subject to the provisions of Section 5(h) of the Plan,
upon the earliest of the following: 
 (a) immediately upon the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;

 (b) three (3) months after the termination of your Continuous Service for any
reason other than Cause, your Disability or death (except as otherwise provided in (d) below), provided that if during any part of such three (3) month period your option is not exercisable solely because of the condition set forth in the
section above relating to “Securities Law Compliance,” your option shall not expire until the earlier of the Expiration Date or until it shall have been exercisable for an aggregate period of three (3) months after the termination of
your Continuous Service; and if (i) you are a Non-Exempt Employee, (ii) your Continuous Service terminates within six (6) months after the Date of Grant specified in your Grant Notice, and (iii) you have vested in a portion of
your option at the time of your termination of Continuous Service, your option shall not expire until the earlier of (x) the later of (A) the date that is seven (7) months after the Date of Grant specified in your Grant Notice or
(B) the date that is three (3) months after the termination of your Continuous Service, or (y) the Expiration Date; 
 (c) twelve (12) months after the termination of your Continuous Service due to your Disability; 
 (d) eighteen (18) months after your death if you die either during your Continuous Service or within three (3) months after your Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than
Cause; 
 (e) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or 

(f) the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Date of Grant. 

If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, note that to obtain the federal income tax advantages associated with an Incentive Stock
Option, the Code requires that at all times beginning on the date of grant of your option and ending on the day three (3) months before the date of your option’s exercise, you must be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, except in
the event of your death or Disability. The Company has provided for extended exercisability of your option under certain circumstances for your benefit but cannot guarantee that your option will necessarily be treated as an Incentive Stock Option if
you continue to provide services to the Company or an Affiliate as a Consultant or Director after your employment terminates or if you otherwise exercise your option more than three (3) months after the date your employment with the Company or
an Affiliate terminates. 
 9. EXERCISE. 

(a) You may exercise the vested portion of your option (and the unvested portion of your option if your Grant Notice so permits)
during its term by delivering a Notice of Exercise (in a form designated by the Company) together with the exercise price to the Secretary of the Company, or to such other person as the Company may designate, during regular business hours, together
with such additional documents as the Company may then require. 
 (b) By exercising your option you agree that, as a
condition to any exercise of your option, the Company may require you to enter into an arrangement providing for the payment by you to the Company of any tax withholding obligation of the Company arising by reason of (1) the exercise of your
option, (2) the lapse of any substantial risk of forfeiture to 

 
which the shares of Common Stock are subject at the time of exercise, or (3) the disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise. 

(c) If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, by exercising your option you agree that you will notify the Company in writing
within fifteen (15) days after the date of any disposition of any of the shares of the Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option that occurs within two (2) years after the date of your option grant or within one (1) year after
such shares of Common Stock are transferred upon exercise of your option. 
 10. TRANSFERABILITY. Except
as otherwise provided in this Section 10, your option is not transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you. 

(a) Certain Trusts. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may transfer your option
to a trust if you are considered to be the sole beneficial owner (determined under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law) while the option is held in the trust, provided that you and the trustee enter into transfer and other
agreements required by the Company. 
 (b) Domestic Relations Orders. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or
its duly authorized designee, and provided that you and the designated transferee enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company, you may transfer your option pursuant to a domestic relations order that contains the information
required by the Company to effectuate the transfer. You are encouraged to discuss the proposed terms of any division of this option with the Company prior to finalizing the domestic relations order to help ensure the required information is
contained within the domestic relations order. If this option is an Incentive Stock Option, this option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer. 

(c) Beneficiary Designation. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may, by
delivering written notice to the Company, in a form provided by or otherwise satisfactory to the Company and any broker designated by the Company to effect option exercises, designate a third party who, in the event of your death, shall thereafter
be entitled to exercise this option and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, your executor or administrator of your estate shall be entitled to exercise this option and
receive, on behalf of your estate, the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. 
 11.
OPTION NOT A SERVICE CONTRACT. Your option is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in your option shall be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any
obligation on your part to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue your employment. In addition, nothing in your option shall obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective
stockholders, Boards of Directors, Officers or Employees to continue any relationship that you might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate. 

 12. WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS. 

(a) At the time you exercise your option, in whole or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby
authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for (including by means of a “cashless exercise” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by
the Federal Reserve Board to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise of
your option. 
 (b) Upon your request and subject to approval by the Company, in its sole discretion, and in compliance
with any applicable legal conditions or restrictions, the Company may withhold from fully vested shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to you upon the exercise of your option a number of whole shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value,
determined by the Company as of the date of exercise, not in excess of the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lower amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of your option as a liability for financial accounting
purposes). If the date of determination of any tax withholding obligation is deferred to a date later than the date of exercise of your option, share withholding pursuant to the preceding sentence shall not be permitted unless you make a proper and
timely election under Section 83(b) of the Code, covering the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise with respect to which such determination is otherwise deferred, to accelerate the determination of such tax
withholding obligation to the date of exercise of your option. Notwithstanding the filing of such election, shares of Common Stock shall be withheld solely from fully vested shares of Common Stock determined as of the date of exercise of your option
that are otherwise issuable to you upon such exercise. Any adverse consequences to you arising in connection with such share withholding procedure shall be your sole responsibility. 

(c) You may not exercise your option unless the tax withholding obligations of the Company and/or any Affiliate are satisfied.
Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your option when desired even though your option is vested, and the Company shall have no obligation to issue a certificate for such shares of Common Stock unless such obligations are satisfied.

 13. TAX CONSEQUENCES. You hereby agree that the Company does not have a
duty to design or administer the Plan or its other compensation programs in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities. You shall not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax
liabilities arising from your option or your other compensation. In particular, you acknowledge that this option is exempt from Section 409A of the Code only if the exercise price per share specified in the Grant Notice is at least equal to the
“fair market value” per share of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the option. 
 14. NOTICES. Any notices provided for in your option or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by
mail by the Company to you, five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company. 

 15. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your option
is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your option, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted
pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of your option and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. 

 ATTACHMENT II 

2011 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN 

 ATTACHMENT III 

NOTICE OF EXERCISE 

2011 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN 

 

			
	AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	  	
	575 Chesapeake Drive	  	
	Redwood City, CA 94063-4724	  	Date of Exercise:
                            

 Ladies and Gentlemen: 
 This constitutes notice under my stock option that I elect
to purchase the number of shares for the price set forth below. 
  

									
	 Type of option (check one):
	  	 	Incentive   ̈	  	 	 	Nonstatutory   ̈	  
			
	 Stock option dated:
	  				 			
			
	 Number of shares as to which option is exercised:
	  	 	                           
                                    	  	 			
			
	 Shares to be issued in name of:
	  	 	                           
                                    	  	 			
			
	 Total exercise price:
	  	$                             
                               	 	  	 			
			
	 Cash payment delivered herewith:
	  	$                             
                               	 	  	 			
			
	 Regulation T Program (cashless exercise)
	  	$                             
                               	 	  	 			
			
	 Value of
                     shares of AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. common stock pursuant to net exercise1:
	  	$                             
                               	 	  	 			

 By this exercise, I agree (i) to provide such additional documents as you may require
pursuant to the terms of the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, (ii) to provide for the payment by me to you (in the manner designated by you) of your withholding obligation, if any, relating to the 

 

	1	 AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. must have established net exercise procedures at the time of exercise in order to utilize this payment method and must expressly consent to your use of net exercise at the
time of exercise. An Incentive Stock Option may not be exercised by a net exercise arrangement. 

 
exercise of this option, and (iii) if this exercise relates to an incentive stock option, to notify you in writing within fifteen (15) days after the date of any disposition of any of
the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of this option that occurs within two (2) years after the date of grant of this option or within one (1) year after such shares of Common Stock are issued upon exercise of this option.

  

					
		  	Very truly yours,

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