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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   ----------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

                                   May 4, 2006

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                             PAIN THERAPEUTICS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

             Delaware                 000-29959               91-1911336
   ----------------------------      ------------         -------------------
   (State or other jurisdiction      (Commission             (IRS Employer
        of incorporation)            File Number)         Identification No.)

                                416 Browning Way
                      South San Francisco, California 94080
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                                 (650) 624-8200
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
     Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange
     Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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ITEM 2.02. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION. On May 4, 2006, Pain Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release announcing the Company's financial results for the first quarter March 31, 2006. A copy of the press release has been furnished as an exhibit to this report and is incorporated by reference herein. The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K and in Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed or furnished pursuant to the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such document. ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. (d) Exhibits. The following exhibit is furnished as part of this Current Report on Form 8-K. EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION -------- ----------------------------------------------------------- 99.1 Press Release of Pain Therapeutics, Inc. dated May 4, 2006.

SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. PAIN THERAPEUTICS, INC. /s/ Peter S. Roddy ----------------------- Peter S. Roddy Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dated: May 4, 2006

EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Description - ------- ----------------------------------------------------------- 99.1 Press Release of Pain Therapeutics, Inc. dated May 4, 2006.

                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Peter S. Roddy                                          Carney Duntsch (Media)
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer                Burns McClellan
Pain Therapeutics, Inc.                                 212-213-0006
proddy@paintrials.com
650-825-3330

             PAIN THERAPEUTICS' FIRST QUARTER 2006 FINANCIAL RESULTS
                    REFLECT OPERATING AND FINANCIAL STRENGTH

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - May 4, 2006 - Pain Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:
PTIE), a biopharmaceutical company, reported first quarter 2006 financial
results today. Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 was $0.9 million,
or $0.02 per share, compared to a net loss of $8.6 million, or $0.20 per share
in the first quarter of 2005.

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $209.8 million at
March 31, 2006.

"We are pleased to report solid operating and financial performance for the
first quarter of 2006, with an increasing contribution from our alliance with
King Pharmaceuticals, Inc., solid control over our expenses, an on-track
clinical campaign with Remoxy(TM), significant regulatory progress with
Oxytrex(TM) and good prospects of filing at least one additional IND this year
for an undisclosed abuse-resistant drug candidate," said Remi Barbier, president
and chief executive officer.

"We are reconfirming our 2006 financial guidance," said Peter S. Roddy, V.P. &
Chief Financial Officer. "We continue to expect our net cash requirements for
the full year 2006 will be approximately $15 million, plus or minus 10%."

                                     -more-

PIPELINE OF MEDICINES CONTINUES TO ADVANCE "The first quarter of 2006 marked a strong start of an important year for Pain Therapeutics' pipeline," said Nadav Friedmann, PhD, MD., Chief Operating & Clinical Officer. During the quarter we commenced a pivotal Phase III program with Remoxy, an abuse-resistant form of twice-daily oxycodone. The Remoxy trial benefits from a Special Protocol Assessment from the FDA. We believe the clinical program that was negotiated with the FDA provides a clear path for product approval. About 20 clinical sites across the U.S. are now initiated for the Remoxy study. In March, we had positive discussions with the FDA regarding a pivotal Phase III program for Oxytrex, a novel opioid painkiller with minimal physical dependence. We plan to advance Oxytrex into a pivotal Phase III program by year-end 2006. Then in April, we announced that we now manufacture a naltrexone dose of 0.0001 mg per tablet. This represents a 10-fold lower dose of naltrexone. We think this remarkable technical achievement may hold favorable clinical or regulatory advantages, such as a more direct comparison of Oxytrex to oxycodone. FIRST-QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS o In December 2005, we entered into a definitive strategic alliance with King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ('King') to develop Remoxy and three other abuse-resistant opioid painkillers. Collaboration revenue of $8.8 million reflects reimbursement from King of our collaboration expenses incurred during the first quarter of 2006. o King gave us an upfront payment of $150 million cash in December 2005. For accounting purposes, each quarter through mid-2011 we plan to recognize a portion of this cash payment as 'Program fee revenue'. We recognized Program fee revenue of $6.6 million this quarter. o On January 1, 2006 we adopted Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, or FAS 123R, as required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. In adopting FAS 123R, we began to recognize non-cash equity related expenses in our financial statements. o Research and development expenses increased to $12.9 million from $8.1 million in the first quarter of 2005. The increase was primarily related to Remoxy, including the initiation of a pivotal Phase III study, and development activities related to other abuse-resistant opioid drug candidates. o General and administrative expenses increased to $2.0 million from $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2005. This increase was primarily due to recognition of non-cash equity related expenses following the adoption of FAS 123R. o We have a provision for income taxes of $1.7 million. This amount consists of the first quarter portion of currently estimated alternative minimum tax of $2.6 million for the full year 2006. This provision for income taxes will fluctuate between quarters during 2006. -more-

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION - --------------------------------------- Pain Therapeutics will host a conference call today at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time/4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss this announcement. To participate in the conference call, please dial 866-578-5801 (within the U.S.) or 617-213-8058 (outside the U.S.) fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call. The call reference number is 37288731. A playback of the conference call will also be available. To access the playback, please dial 888-286-8010 (within the U.S.) or 617-801-6888 (outside the U.S.) and enter reservation number 72207618. A webcast of the conference call will be available online at www.paintrials.com. ABOUT PAIN THERAPEUTICS, INC. - ----------------------------- We are a biopharmaceutical company that develops novel drugs. We have two investigational painkillers, Remoxy and Oxytrex, in Phase III clinical programs. Both drug candidates target different segments of the multi-billion dollar market to treat severe chronic pain, such as persistent low-back pain or pain due to advanced stages of osteoarthritis. We own all commercial rights to Oxytrex. OUR ALLIANCE WITH KING PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. - -------------------------------------------- In December 2005, we closed a strategic alliance with King Pharmaceuticals for Remoxy and three other abuse-resistant opioid painkillers. King paid us $150 million in cash as an up-front payment. King is also obligated to pay us up to $150 million in cash based on the successful achievement of certain clinical or regulatory milestones for Remoxy and three other abuse-resistant opioid painkillers. King funds all development expenses and is obligated to pay us a 20% royalty on net sales of drugs, except as to the first $1 billion in cumulative net sales, for which the royalty is set at 15%. In exchange, King received worldwide commercial rights to Remoxy and three other abuse-resistant drugs developed under the alliance. Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Pain Therapeutics disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and claims the protection of the Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Act. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements relating to the timing, scope or expected outcome of the Company's clinical development of its drug candidates, the potential benefits of the Company's drug candidates, the Company's expected cash requirements and provision for taxes in 2006, and the size of the potential market for the Company's products. Such statements are based on management's current expectations, but actual results may differ materially due to various factors. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties relating to difficulties or delays in development, testing, regulatory approval, production and marketing of the Company's drug candidates, unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of the Company's drug candidates that could slow or prevent product approval or market acceptance (including the risk that current and past results of clinical trials are not necessarily indicative of future results of clinical trials), the uncertainty of patent protection for the Company's intellectual property or trade secrets, the Company's ability to obtain additional financing if necessary and unanticipated research and development and other costs. For further information regarding these and other risks related to the Company's business, investors should consult the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. -Financial Tables Follow- -more-

PAIN THERAPEUTICS, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, --------------------------- 2006 2005 ------------ ------------ Revenue: Program fee revenue $ 6,550 $ - Collaboration revenue 8,776 - ------------ ------------ Total revenue 15,326 - Operating expenses (1): Research and development 12,854 8,122 General and administrative 1,970 1,038 ------------ ------------ Total operating expenses 14,824 9,160 ------------ ------------ Operating income (loss) 502 (9,160) Other income: Interest income 2,088 571 ------------ ------------ Income (loss) before provision for income taxes 2,590 (8,589) Provision for income taxes 1,713 - ------------ ------------ Net income (loss) $ 877 $ (8,589) ------------ ------------ Earnings per share Basic $ 0.02 $ (0.20) ============ ============ Diluted $ 0.02 $ (0.20) ============ ============ Weighted-average shares used to compute earnings per share Basic 43,995 43,664 ============ ============ Diluted 45,505 43,664 ============ ============ (1) Included in research and development and general and administrative expenses are non-cash equity related expenses of $957 thousand and $728 thousand, respectively, totaling $1,685 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2006. The non-cash equity related expense was immaterial for the three months ended March 31, 2005. -more-

PAIN THERAPEUTICS, INC. CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) March 31, December 31, 2006 2005(2) ------------ ------------ (Unaudited) ASSETS Current assets: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities $ 209,788 $ 212,652 Collaboration revenue receivable 4,234 889 Prepaid expenses 125 623 ------------ ------------ Total current assets 214,147 214,164 Property and equipment, net 1,556 1,556 Other assets 75 75 ------------ ------------ Total assets $ 215,778 $ 215,795 ============ ============ LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 820 $ 998 Accrued development expense 6,318 4,461 Deferred program fee revenue - current portion 26,200 26,200 Accrued compensation and benefits 775 501 Other accrued liabilities 1,847 187 ------------ ------------ Total current liabilities 35,960 32,347 Non-current liabilities: Deferred program fee revenue - non-current portion 113,538 120,088 ------------ ------------ Total liabilities 149,498 152,435 ------------ ------------ Stockholders' equity: Common stock 44 44 Additional paid-in-capital 208,868 206,489 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (815) (479) Accumulated deficit (141,817) (142,694) ------------ ------------ Total stockholders' equity 66,280 63,360 ------------ ------------ Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 215,778 $ 215,795 ============ ============ (2) Derived from audited financial statements ###