

<!-- Generated by DataTracks version 1.1.3 on 03-Mar-2014 [02:28:33] {AM} EST - www.datatracks.com -->
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        <link:definition>106 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS&#39; EQUITY (Parenthetical)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>108 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>109 - Disclosure - DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>110 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</link:definition>

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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/LicenseDevelopmentAndCommercializationAgreement" id="LicenseDevelopmentAndCommercializationAgreement">
        <link:definition>111 - Disclosure - LICENSE, DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMERCIALIZATION AGREEMENT</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>112 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>113 - Disclosure - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>114 - Disclosure - ACCRUED EXPENSES</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>116 - Disclosure - EQUITY FINANCING</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>117 - Disclosure - COMMON STOCK WARRANTS</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>118 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>119 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>120 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>121 - Disclosure - SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>122 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>123 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>124 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES (Tables)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>125 - Disclosure - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>126 - Disclosure - ACCRUED EXPENSES (Tables)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>127 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>128 - Disclosure - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)</link:definition>

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        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>

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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables" id="IncomeTaxesTables">
        <link:definition>129 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Tables)</link:definition>

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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/SelectedQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables" id="SelectedQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables">
        <link:definition>130 - Disclosure - SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Tables)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>131 - Disclosure - Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>132 - Disclosure - Concentration of Risk by Risk Factor - (Detail)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>133 - Disclosure - Estimated lives of major classification of depreciable assets - (Detail)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>134 - Disclosure - Non-Cash Share-Based Compensation Expense (Detail)</link:definition>

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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/LicenseDevelopmentAndCommercializationAgreementAdditionalInformationDetail" id="LicenseDevelopmentAndCommercializationAgreementAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>136 - Disclosure - License Development and Commercialization Agreement - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>

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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/InvestmentsInMarketableSecuritiesAdditionalInformationDetail" id="InvestmentsInMarketableSecuritiesAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>137 - Disclosure - Investments In Marketable Securities - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>138 - Disclosure - Summary of Investments in Marketable Securities (Detail)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>139 - Disclosure - Available for Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Fair Value (Detail)</link:definition>

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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditionalInformationDetail" id="PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>141 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>

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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentDetail" id="PropertyPlantAndEquipmentDetail">
        <link:definition>142 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>143 - Disclosure - Accrued Expenses (Detail)</link:definition>

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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/LongtermDebtAdditionalInformationDetail" id="LongtermDebtAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>144 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>145 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Warrants using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model - (Detail)</link:definition>

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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/LongtermDebtDetail" id="LongtermDebtDetail">
        <link:definition>146 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt (Detail)</link:definition>

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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/EquityFinancingAdditionalInformationDetail" id="EquityFinancingAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>147 - Disclosure - Equity Financing - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>

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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/CommonStockWarrantsAdditionalInformationDetail" id="CommonStockWarrantsAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>148 - Disclosure - Common Stock Warrants - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>

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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansAdditionalInformationDetail" id="EmployeeBenefitPlansAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>149 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>

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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/StockOptionAwardActivityDetail" id="StockOptionAwardActivityDetail">
        <link:definition>150 - Disclosure - Stock Option Award Activity (Detail)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>151 - Disclosure - Summary of Information about Non Vested Stock Options (Detail)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>152 - Disclosure - Assumptions Used in Black-Scholes Model to Determine Fair Value for Stock Option Awards Granted (Detail)</link:definition>

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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/SummaryOfRsuPlanDetail" id="SummaryOfRsuPlanDetail">
        <link:definition>153 - Disclosure - Summary of RSU Plan (Detail)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>154 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>

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        <link:definition>155 - Disclosure - Provision for Income Taxes (Detail)</link:definition>

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        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>

        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/ComponentsOfOurDeferredTaxAssetsDetail" id="ComponentsOfOurDeferredTaxAssetsDetail">
        <link:definition>156 - Disclosure - Components of Our Deferred Tax Assets (Detail)</link:definition>

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        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>

        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail" id="CommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>157 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>

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        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>

        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/ScheduleOfSelectedQuarterlyFinancialDataDetail" id="ScheduleOfSelectedQuarterlyFinancialDataDetail">
        <link:definition>158 - Disclosure - Schedule of Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Detail)</link:definition>

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        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>

        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/ResearchAndDevelopmentActivities" id="ResearchAndDevelopmentActivities">
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        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>

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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/RevenueRecognition" id="RevenueRecognition">
        <link:definition>160 - Disclosure - REVENUE RECOGNITION</link:definition>

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        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>

        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/Inventories" id="Inventories">
        <link:definition>161 - Disclosure - INVENTORIES</link:definition>

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        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>

        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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        <link:definition>162 - Disclosure - SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION</link:definition>

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        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>

        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/EarningsPerShareEps" id="EarningsPerShareEps">
        <link:definition>163 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE (&#34;EPS&#34;)</link:definition>

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        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>

        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/SharebasedCompensationTables" id="SharebasedCompensationTables">
        <link:definition>164 - Disclosure - SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)</link:definition>

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        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>

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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/EarningsPerShareEpsTables" id="EarningsPerShareEpsTables">
        <link:definition>165 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE (&#34;EPS&#34;) (Tables)</link:definition>

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        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>

        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/ResearchAndDevelopmentActivitiesAdditionalInformationDetail" id="ResearchAndDevelopmentActivitiesAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>166 - Disclosure - Research and Development Activities - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>

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        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>

        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/RevenueRecognitionAdditionalInformationDetail" id="RevenueRecognitionAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>167 - Disclosure - Revenue Recognition - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>

        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>

        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>

        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/InventoriesAdditionalInformationDetail" id="InventoriesAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>168 - Disclosure - Inventories - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>

        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>

        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>

        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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      <link:roleType roleURI="http://acurapharm.com/role/SharebasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetail" id="SharebasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetail">
        <link:definition>169 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</link:definition>

        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>

        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>

        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
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  <element name="CaliforniaStateMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_CaliforniaStateMember" />

  <element name="PalatineLllinoisMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_PalatineLllinoisMember" />

  <element name="FinancialAdvisorMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_FinancialAdvisorMember" />

  <element name="CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureLineItems" />

  <element name="NumberOfLawsuitsFiled" type="xbrli:integerItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_NumberOfLawsuitsFiled" />

  <element name="NumberOfLawsuitsServed" type="xbrli:integerItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_NumberOfLawsuitsServed" />

  <element name="PercentageOfFeeAssumedOnExerciseOfWarrantsInUnitOffering" type="num:percentItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_PercentageOfFeeAssumedOnExerciseOfWarrantsInUnitOffering" />

  <element name="CashlessMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_CashlessMember" />

  <element name="OptionNonCashExerciseOneMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_OptionNonCashExerciseOneMember" />

  <element name="SharesWithheldForTaxShares" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_SharesWithheldForTaxShares" />

  <element name="SharesWithheldForTaxValue" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_SharesWithheldForTaxValue" />

  <element name="IssuanceOfCommonStockSharesUnderMarketOfferings" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_IssuanceOfCommonStockSharesUnderMarketOfferings" />

  <element name="IssuanceOfCommonStockValueUnderMarketOfferings" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_IssuanceOfCommonStockValueUnderMarketOfferings" />

  <element name="ProvisionToReduceInventoryToNetRealizableValue" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ProvisionToReduceInventoryToNetRealizableValue" />

  <element name="CashPaidDuringPeriodForAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_CashPaidDuringPeriodForAbstract" />

  <element name="RestrictedStockUnitMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_RestrictedStockUnitMember" />

  <element name="EquityBasedEmployeeCompensationGrantedShares" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_EquityBasedEmployeeCompensationGrantedShares" />

  <element name="CommonStockWithheldShares" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_CommonStockWithheldShares" />

  <element name="EquityIssuanceCostsWithheld" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_EquityIssuanceCostsWithheld" />

  <element name="SharesWithheldToSatisfyEmployeesTaxWithholdingShares" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_SharesWithheldToSatisfyEmployeesTaxWithholdingShares" />

  <element name="SupplementalTaxWithholding" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_SupplementalTaxWithholding" />

  <element name="CommonStockIssuedShares" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_CommonStockIssuedShares" />

  <element name="DescriptionOfBusinessDisclosureAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_DescriptionOfBusinessDisclosureAbstract" />

  <element name="DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" />

  <element name="IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredProgramFeeRevenue" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredProgramFeeRevenue" />

  <element name="StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockWarrantsExercised" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockWarrantsExercised" />

  <element name="OperatingLossCarryForwardsExpirationYear" type="xbrli:gYearItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_OperatingLossCarryForwardsExpirationYear" />

  <element name="EmployeeBenefitPlansDisclosureTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" id="acur_EmployeeBenefitPlansDisclosureTable" />

  <element name="MaximumBasicContributionPercentagePerEmployeeOnAnnualEarnings" type="num:percentItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_MaximumBasicContributionPercentagePerEmployeeOnAnnualEarnings" />

  <element name="ShareBasedCompensationShareBasedPaymentAwardsCashlessExercises" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ShareBasedCompensationShareBasedPaymentAwardsCashlessExercises" />

  <element name="TaxesWithheldOnIssuanceOfStockBasedAwards" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_TaxesWithheldOnIssuanceOfStockBasedAwards" />

  <element name="StatutoryMinimumPayrollTaxes" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_StatutoryMinimumPayrollTaxes" />

  <element name="NumberOfSharesIssuedOnCashlessExercises" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_NumberOfSharesIssuedOnCashlessExercises" />

  <element name="RestrictedStockUnitsSalePrice" type="num:perShareItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_RestrictedStockUnitsSalePrice" />

  <element name="RestrictedStockUnitsExchangedInSatisfactionOfWithholdingTaxObligations" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_RestrictedStockUnitsExchangedInSatisfactionOfWithholdingTaxObligations" />

  <element name="ProceedsFromNonRefundableUpfrontFeesForResearchAndDevelopmentArrangmentContractToPerformForOther" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ProceedsFromNonRefundableUpfrontFeesForResearchAndDevelopmentArrangmentContractToPerformForOther" />

  <element name="EmployeeBenefitPlansDisclosureLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_EmployeeBenefitPlansDisclosureLineItems" />

  <element name="ProceeddsFromResearchAndDevelopmentContingentConsiderationPayment" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ProceeddsFromResearchAndDevelopmentContingentConsiderationPayment" />

  <element name="ShareBasedCompensationShareBasedPaymentAwardsCashlessExercisesWithheldMinimumPayrollTaxes" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ShareBasedCompensationShareBasedPaymentAwardsCashlessExercisesWithheldMinimumPayrollTaxes" />

  <element name="ShareBasedCompensationShareBasedPaymentAwardsCashlessExercisesWithheldStatutoryMinimumPayrollTaxes" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ShareBasedCompensationShareBasedPaymentAwardsCashlessExercisesWithheldStatutoryMinimumPayrollTaxes" />

  <element name="ScientificEquipmentMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ScientificEquipmentMember" />

  <element name="ComputerHardwareAndSoftwareMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ComputerHardwareAndSoftwareMember" />

  <element name="ScheduleOfQuarterlyFinancialInformationTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" id="acur_ScheduleOfQuarterlyFinancialInformationTable" />

  <element name="ScheduleOfQuarterlyFinancialInformationLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ScheduleOfQuarterlyFinancialInformationLineItems" />

  <element name="ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetCarryingValueTableTextBlockTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetCarryingValueTableTextBlockTableTextBlock" />

  <element name="ScheduleOfFairValueOfWarrantsTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ScheduleOfFairValueOfWarrantsTableTextBlock" />

  <element name="ExercisePriceOfWarrants" type="num:perShareItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ExercisePriceOfWarrants" />

  <element name="ClassOfWarrantOrRightExpirationDate" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExpirationDate" />

  <element name="SummaryOfInformationAboutNonVestedStockOptionsDisclosureLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_SummaryOfInformationAboutNonVestedStockOptionsDisclosureLineItems" />

  <element name="ScheduleOfDeferredTaxAssetsTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ScheduleOfDeferredTaxAssetsTableTextBlock" />

  <element name="ProvisionForIncomeTaxesLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ProvisionForIncomeTaxesLineItems" />

  <element name="ComponentsOfOurDeferredTaxAssetsLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ComponentsOfOurDeferredTaxAssetsLineItems" />

  <element name="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockWarrantsExercised" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockWarrantsExercised" />

  <element name="PaymentOfRoyaltyMaximumContractualTerm" type="xbrli:durationItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_PaymentOfRoyaltyMaximumContractualTerm" />

  <element name="DebtDefaultLongTermDebtPercentage" type="num:percentItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_DebtDefaultLongTermDebtPercentage" />

  <element name="DebtInstrumentAmortizationDate" type="xbrli:dateItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_DebtInstrumentAmortizationDate" />

  <element name="DebtInstrumentDefermentOfAmortizationDateDescription" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_DebtInstrumentDefermentOfAmortizationDateDescription" />

  <element name="DebtInstrumentFurtherDefermentOfAmortizationDateDescription" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_DebtInstrumentFurtherDefermentOfAmortizationDateDescription" />

  <element name="DebtinstrumentPrepaymentPercentage" type="num:percentItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_DebtinstrumentPrepaymentPercentage" />

  <element name="PriorToDecemberTwentySevenTwoThousandFourteenMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_PriorToDecemberTwentySevenTwoThousandFourteenMember" />

  <element name="AfterDecemberTwentySevenTwoThousandFourteenButOnOrPriorToDecemberTwentySevenTwoThousandFifteenMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_AfterDecemberTwentySevenTwoThousandFourteenButOnOrPriorToDecemberTwentySevenTwoThousandFifteenMember" />

  <element name="AfterToDecemberTwentySevenTwoThousandFifteenMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_AfterToDecemberTwentySevenTwoThousandFifteenMember" />

  <element name="DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentTermsBalloonPaymentsToBePaid" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentTermsBalloonPaymentsToBePaid" />

  <element name="FirstRevenueEventOccursMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_FirstRevenueEventOccursMember" />

  <element name="FirstRevenueEventOccursandSecondRevenueEventNotOccursMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_FirstRevenueEventOccursandSecondRevenueEventNotOccursMember" />

  <element name="FirstRevenueEventAndSecondRevenueEventOccursMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_FirstRevenueEventAndSecondRevenueEventOccursMember" />

  <element name="DebtConsultingPlacementFee" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_DebtConsultingPlacementFee" />

  <element name="WarrantsToPurchaseCommonStock" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_WarrantsToPurchaseCommonStock" />

  <element name="WarrantsExercisePrice" type="num:perShareItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_WarrantsExercisePrice" />

  <element name="WarrantsExpiryDate" type="xbrli:dateItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_WarrantsExpiryDate" />

  <element name="RiteAidCorporationMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_RiteAidCorporationMember" />

  <element name="CardinalHealthIncMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_CardinalHealthIncMember" />

  <element name="ResearchAndDevelopmentArrangementContractToPerformForOthersExpensesReceivable" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ResearchAndDevelopmentArrangementContractToPerformForOthersExpensesReceivable" />

  <element name="ScheduleOfLongTermDebtFuturePrincipalPaymentsYearTableTextBlock" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_ScheduleOfLongTermDebtFuturePrincipalPaymentsYearTableTextBlock" />

  <element name="FairValueOfWarrantsTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" id="acur_FairValueOfWarrantsTable" />

  <element name="FairValueOfWarrantsLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_FairValueOfWarrantsLineItems" />

  <element name="DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryForwardsResearchAndDevelopmentExpirationPeriod" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="false" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryForwardsResearchAndDevelopmentExpirationPeriod" />

  <element name="IncomeTaxDisclosureLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_IncomeTaxDisclosureLineItems" />

  <element name="FederalResearchAndDevelopmentMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_FederalResearchAndDevelopmentMember" />

  <element name="IndianaStateResearchAndDevelopmentMember" type="nonnum:domainItemType" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" id="acur_IndianaStateResearchAndDevelopmentMember" />
</schema>






