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  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May&nbsp;5, 2006
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-</DIV>
  
  
  
  <DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
  
  
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER<BR>
  THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Critical Therapeutics, Inc.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
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  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B><BR>
  (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation<BR>
  or Organization)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>04-3523569</B><BR>
  (I.R.S. Employer<BR>
  Identification No.)</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>60 Westview Street<BR>
  Lexington, Massachusetts</B>
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>02421</B></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">(Zip Code)</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>2006 Employee Stock Purchase Plan</B><BR>
  (Full Title of the Plan)
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Paul D. Rubin, M.D.<BR>
  President and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
  Critical Therapeutics, Inc.<BR>
  60 Westview Street<BR>
  Lexington, Massachusetts 02421</B><BR>
  (Name and Address of Agent For Service)
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>(781)&nbsp;402-5700</B><BR>
  (Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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      <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD nowrap align="center">Title of</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed Maximum</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed Maximum</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD nowrap align="center">Securities to be</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Amount to be</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Offering Price Per</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Aggregate Offering</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Amount of</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD nowrap align="center">Registered</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Registered(1)</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Share</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Price</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Registration Fee</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
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      <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                      <TD align="left" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">Common Stock,<BR>
  $0.001 par value<BR>
  per share
  </TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">400,000 shares
  </TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$5.15(2)
  </TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$2,060,000(2)
  </TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$221</TD>
      <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
  
  <TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
      <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>In accordance with Rule&nbsp;416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration
  statement shall be deemed to cover any additional securities that may from time to time be
  offered or issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar
  transactions.</TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
  
  <TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
      <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c)
  and 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and based upon the average of the high
  and low prices of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on
  May&nbsp;3, 2006.</TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
  
  
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
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  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  <!-- TOC -->
  <A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>
  
  <P><CENTER>
  <TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
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  	<TD width="3%"></TD>
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  	<TD width="3%"></TD>
  	<TD width="76%"></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000"> PART I</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item 1. Plan Information.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003">PART II</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#009">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#010">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#011">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#012">INDEX TO EXHIBITS</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b60834ctexv5.htm">EX-5 Opinion of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b60834ctexv23w1.htm">EX-23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP</A></TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
  </CENTER>
  <!-- /TOC -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  
  
  
  <!-- link1 " PART I " -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART I<BR>
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- link2 "Item 1. Plan Information." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The information required by Item&nbsp;1 is included in documents sent or given to participants in
  the plan covered by this registration statement pursuant to Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) of the Securities Act of
  1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;).
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- link2 "Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The written statement required by Item&nbsp;2 is included in documents sent or given to
  participants in the plan covered by this registration statement pursuant to Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) of the
  Securities Act.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link1 "PART II" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B></DIV>
  
  <!-- link2 "Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The registrant is subject to the informational and reporting requirements of Sections&nbsp;13(a),
  14, and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), and in
  accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and
  Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;). The following documents, which are on file with the
  Commission, are incorporated in this registration statement by reference:
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The registrant&#146;s latest annual report filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act or the latest prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act that
  contains audited financial statements for the registrant&#146;s latest fiscal year for which such
  statements have been filed.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the
  end of the fiscal year covered by the document referred to in (a)&nbsp;above.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The description of the securities contained in the registrant&#146;s registration statement on
  Form 8-A filed under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
  updating such description.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents subsequently filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and
  15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that
  all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
  unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be
  part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
  incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
  superseded for the purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained
  herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
  reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
  shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration
  statement.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
  </DIV>
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">- 1 -
  </DIV>
  
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  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP has opined as to the legality of the
  securities being offered by this registration statement. Partners of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale
  and Dorr LLP beneficially own 19,020 shares of our common stock.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;102 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware allows a corporation to eliminate the
  personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for
  monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached
  his duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly
  violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of
  Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. The registrant&#146;s Amended and
  Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that, except to the extent that the General
  Corporation Law of Delaware prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for
  breach of fiduciary duty, no director of the registrant shall be personally liable to the
  registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware provides that a corporation has the
  power to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation and certain other
  persons serving at the request of the corporation in related capacities against amounts paid and
  expenses incurred in connection with an action or proceeding to which he is or is threatened to be
  made a party by reason of such position, if such person shall have acted in good faith and in a
  manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation,
  and, in any criminal proceeding, if such person had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
  unlawful; provided that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no
  indemnification shall be made with respect to any matter as to which such person shall have been
  adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the adjudicating court
  determines that such indemnification is proper under the circumstances.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The registrant&#146;s Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that:
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
  
  <TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
      <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>The registrant must indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest
  extent permitted by Delaware law;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR>
      <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
      <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>The registrant may indemnify its other employees and agents to the same
  extent that it indemnified its officers and directors, unless otherwise
  determined by its Board of Directors; and</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR>
      <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
      <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>The registrant must advance expenses, as incurred, to its directors and
  executive officers in connection with a legal proceeding to the fullest extent
  permitted by Delaware law.</TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The indemnification provisions contained in the Amended and Restated Certificate of
  Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws are not exclusive of any other rights to which a
  person may be entitled by law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
  otherwise.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, the registrant maintains insurance on behalf of its directors and executive
  officers insuring them against liability asserted against them in their capacities as directors or
  officers or arising out of such status.
  </DIV>
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">- 2 -
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Exhibit&nbsp;Index immediately preceding the exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="010"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <U><I>Item&nbsp;</I><I>512(a)</I><I> of Regulation&nbsp;S-K</I></U>. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
  post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
  of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
  individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
  forth in the registration statement; and
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;&nbsp; To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
  previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
  information in the registration statement;
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%"><I>provided, however, </I>that paragraphs (i)&nbsp;and (ii)&nbsp;do not apply if the information required to
  be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed
  with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section
  15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
  such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
  the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
  deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide </I>offering thereof.
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
  securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <U><I>Item&nbsp;</I><I>512(b)</I><I> of Regulation&nbsp;S-K</I></U>. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that,
  for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant&#146;s
  annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated
  by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
  relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
  be deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide </I>offering thereof.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <U><I>Item&nbsp;</I><I>512(h)</I><I> of Regulation&nbsp;S-K</I></U>. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
  under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
  registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that
  in the opinion of the Securities
  </DIV>
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">- 3 -
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
  Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
  against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
  a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
  action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
  connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
  counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
  jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
  in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
  </DIV>
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">- 4 -
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  <!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="011"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it
  has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
  has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
  thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Lexington, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on this
  5<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> day of May, 2006.
  </DIV>
  
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
  <TR>
      <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
      <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="3" align="left">CRITICAL THERAPEUTICS, INC.<BR>
  &nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR>
      <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Paul D. Rubin
  &nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR>
      <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="2" align="left">Paul D. Rubin, M.D.&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR>
      <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="2" align="left">President and Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
      <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We, the undersigned officers and directors of Critical Therapeutics, Inc., hereby severally
  constitute and appoint Paul D. Rubin, M.D., Frank E. Thomas and Trevor Phillips, Ph.D., and each of
  them singly, our true and lawful attorneys with full power to them, and each of them singly, to
  sign for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, the registration statement on Form
  S-8 filed herewith and any and all subsequent amendments to said registration statement, and
  generally to do all such things in our names and on our behalf in our capacities as officers and
  directors to enable Critical Therapeutics, Inc. to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act
  of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby
  ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys, or any of
  them, to said registration statement and any and all amendments thereto.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
  been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
  </DIV>
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="center"><u><B>Signature</B></u></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><u><B>Title</B></u></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><u><B>Date</B></u></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Paul D. Rubin<BR>
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Paul D. Rubin, M.D.
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">President and Chief<BR>
  Executive Officer<BR>
  (Principal Executive Officer)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Frank E. Thomas<BR>
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Frank E. Thomas
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Chief Financial Officer,<BR>
  Senior Vice President of<BR>
  Finance and Treasurer<BR>
  (Principal Financial and<BR>
  Accounting officer)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Richard W. Dugan<BR>
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Richard W. Dugan
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">- 5 -
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="center"><u><B>Signature</B></u></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><u><B>Title</B></u></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><u><B>Date</B></u></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Nicholas Galakatos<BR>
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Nicholas Galakatos, Ph.D.
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Jean George<BR>
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Jean George
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Christopher Mirabelli<BR>
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Christopher Mirabelli, Ph.D.
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ James B. Tananbaum<BR>
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  James B. Tananbaum, M.D.
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Christopher Walsh<BR>
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Christopher Walsh, Ph.D.
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ H. Shaw Warren<BR>
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  H. Shaw Warren, M.D.
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Robert H. Zeiger<BR>
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Robert H. Zeiger
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">- 6 -
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  
  <!-- link1 "INDEX TO EXHIBITS" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="012"></A></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">INDEX TO EXHIBITS
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="89%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left"><U>Number</U></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="left"><U>Description</U></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant
  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Registrant&#146;s
  Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;30, 2004
  (SEC File No.&nbsp;000-50767)).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (Incorporated by
  reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to the Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on
  Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;30, 2004 (SEC File No.
  000-50767)).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, counsel to
  the Registrant.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
  (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of attorney (included on the signature pages of this
  registration statement).</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">
  </DIV>
  
  
  </BODY>
  </HTML>
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text: sv8
  Table of Contents
  As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2006
  Registration No. 333-
  UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C. 20549
  FORM S-8
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
  THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  Critical Therapeutics, Inc.
  (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
  Delaware
  (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation
  or Organization)
  04-3523569
  (I.R.S. Employer
  Identification No.)
  60 Westview Street
  Lexington, Massachusetts
  02421
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  (Zip Code)
  2006 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  (Full Title of the Plan)
  Paul D. Rubin, M.D.
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  Critical Therapeutics, Inc.
  60 Westview Street
  Lexington, Massachusetts 02421
  (Name and Address of Agent For Service)
  (781) 402-5700
  (Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
  CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
  Title of
  Proposed Maximum
  Proposed Maximum
  Securities to be
  Amount to be
  Offering Price Per
  Aggregate Offering
  Amount of
  Registered
  Registered(1)
  Share
  Price
  Registration Fee
  Common Stock,
  $0.001 par value
  per share
  400,000 shares
  $5.15(2)
  $2,060,000(2)
  $221
  (1)
  In accordance with Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration
  statement shall be deemed to cover any additional securities that may from time to time be
  offered or issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar
  transactions.
  (2)
  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c)
  and 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and based upon the average of the high
  and low prices of the Registrant's Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on
  May 3, 2006.
  TABLE OF CONTENTS
  PART I
  Item 1. Plan Information.
  Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
  PART II
  Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
  Item 4. Description of Securities.
  Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
  Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
  Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
  Item 8. Exhibits.
  Item 9. Undertakings.
  SIGNATURES
  INDEX TO EXHIBITS
  EX-5 Opinion of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP
  EX-23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
  Table of Contents
  PART I
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
  Item 1. Plan Information.
  The information required by Item 1 is included in documents sent or given to participants in
  the plan covered by this registration statement pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act of
  1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
  Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
  The written statement required by Item 2 is included in documents sent or given to
  participants in the plan covered by this registration statement pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) of the
  Securities Act.
  PART II
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
  The registrant is subject to the informational and reporting requirements of Sections 13(a),
  14, and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
  accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and
  Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The following documents, which are on file with the
  Commission, are incorporated in this registration statement by reference:
  (a)    The registrant's latest annual report filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act or the latest prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act that
  contains audited financial statements for the registrant's latest fiscal year for which such
  statements have been filed.
  (b)    All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the
  end of the fiscal year covered by the document referred to in (a) above.
  (c)    The description of the securities contained in the registrant's registration statement on
  Form 8-A filed under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
  updating such description.
  All documents subsequently filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
  15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that
  all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
  unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be
  part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
  incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
  superseded for the purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained
  herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
  reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
  shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration
  statement.
  Item 4. Description of Securities.
  Not applicable.
  - 1 -
  Table of Contents
  Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
  Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP has opined as to the legality of the
  securities being offered by this registration statement. Partners of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale
  and Dorr LLP beneficially own 19,020 shares of our common stock.
  Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
  Section 102 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware allows a corporation to eliminate the
  personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for
  monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached
  his duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly
  violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of
  Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. The registrant's Amended and
  Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that, except to the extent that the General
  Corporation Law of Delaware prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for
  breach of fiduciary duty, no director of the registrant shall be personally liable to the
  registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director.
  Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware provides that a corporation has the
  power to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation and certain other
  persons serving at the request of the corporation in related capacities against amounts paid and
  expenses incurred in connection with an action or proceeding to which he is or is threatened to be
  made a party by reason of such position, if such person shall have acted in good faith and in a
  manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation,
  and, in any criminal proceeding, if such person had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
  unlawful; provided that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no
  indemnification shall be made with respect to any matter as to which such person shall have been
  adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the adjudicating court
  determines that such indemnification is proper under the circumstances.
  The registrant's Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that:
  •
  The registrant must indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest
  extent permitted by Delaware law;
  •
  The registrant may indemnify its other employees and agents to the same
  extent that it indemnified its officers and directors, unless otherwise
  determined by its Board of Directors; and
  •
  The registrant must advance expenses, as incurred, to its directors and
  executive officers in connection with a legal proceeding to the fullest extent
  permitted by Delaware law.
  The indemnification provisions contained in the Amended and Restated Certificate of
  Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws are not exclusive of any other rights to which a
  person may be entitled by law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
  otherwise.
  In addition, the registrant maintains insurance on behalf of its directors and executive
  officers insuring them against liability asserted against them in their capacities as directors or
  officers or arising out of such status.
  - 2 -
  Table of Contents
  Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
  Not applicable.
  Item 8. Exhibits.
  The Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.
  Item 9. Undertakings.
  1.
  Item
  512(a)
  of Regulation S-K
  . The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
  post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
  (i)    To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
  (ii)    To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
  of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
  individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
  forth in the registration statement; and
  (iii)   To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
  previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
  information in the registration statement;
  provided, however,
  that paragraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply if the information required to
  be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed
  with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section
  15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
  (2)    That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
  such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
  the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
  deemed to be the initial
  bona fide
  offering thereof.
  (3)    To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
  securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
  2.
  Item
  512(b)
  of Regulation S-K
  . The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that,
  for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's
  annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated
  by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
  relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
  be deemed to be the initial
  bona fide
  offering thereof.
  3.
  Item
  512(h)
  of Regulation S-K
  . Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
  under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
  registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that
  in the opinion of the Securities
  - 3 -
  Table of Contents
  and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
  Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
  against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
  a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
  action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
  connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
  counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
  jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
  in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
  - 4 -
  Table of Contents
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it
  has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
  has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
  thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Lexington, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on this
  5
  th
  day of May, 2006.
  CRITICAL THERAPEUTICS, INC.
  By:
  /s/ Paul D. Rubin
  Paul D. Rubin, M.D.
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES
  We, the undersigned officers and directors of Critical Therapeutics, Inc., hereby severally
  constitute and appoint Paul D. Rubin, M.D., Frank E. Thomas and Trevor Phillips, Ph.D., and each of
  them singly, our true and lawful attorneys with full power to them, and each of them singly, to
  sign for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, the registration statement on Form
  S-8 filed herewith and any and all subsequent amendments to said registration statement, and
  generally to do all such things in our names and on our behalf in our capacities as officers and
  directors to enable Critical Therapeutics, Inc. to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act
  of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby
  ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys, or any of
  them, to said registration statement and any and all amendments thereto.
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
  been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
  Signature
  Title
  Date
  /s/ Paul D. Rubin
  Paul D. Rubin, M.D.
  President and Chief
  Executive Officer
  (Principal Executive Officer)
  May 5, 2006
  /s/ Frank E. Thomas
  Frank E. Thomas
  Chief Financial Officer,
  Senior Vice President of
  Finance and Treasurer
  (Principal Financial and
  Accounting officer)
  May 5, 2006
  /s/ Richard W. Dugan
  Richard W. Dugan
  Director
  May 5, 2006
  - 5 -
  Table of Contents
  Signature
  Title
  Date
  /s/ Nicholas Galakatos
  Nicholas Galakatos, Ph.D.
  Director
  May 5, 2006
  /s/ Jean George
  Jean George
  Director
  May 5, 2006
  /s/ Christopher Mirabelli
  Christopher Mirabelli, Ph.D.
  Director
  May 5, 2006
  /s/ James B. Tananbaum
  James B. Tananbaum, M.D.
  Director
  May 5, 2006
  /s/ Christopher Walsh
  Christopher Walsh, Ph.D.
  Director
  May 5, 2006
  /s/ H. Shaw Warren
  H. Shaw Warren, M.D.
  Director
  May 5, 2006
  /s/ Robert H. Zeiger
  Robert H. Zeiger
  Director
  May 5, 2006
  - 6 -
  Table of Contents
  INDEX TO EXHIBITS
  Number
  Description
  4.1
  Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant
  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's
  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004
  (SEC File No. 000-50767)).
  4.2
  Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (Incorporated by
  reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
  Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 (SEC File No.
  000-50767)).
  5
  Opinion of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, counsel to
  the Registrant.
  23.1
  Consent of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
  (included in Exhibit 5).
  23.2
  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
  24
  Power of attorney (included on the signature pages of this
  registration statement).