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) February 11, 2005

INSPIRE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its charter)

Delaware	000-31135	04-3209022
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

4222 Emperor Boulevard, Suite 200, Durham, North Carolina	27703-8466
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (919) 941-9777

(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))

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

(b) On February 15, 2005, Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Inspire”) issued a press release, attached hereto and made a part hereof, announcing the death of W. Leigh Thompson, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., on Friday, February 11, 2005. Dr. Thompson served as a member of the Board of Directors of Inspire (the “Board”) since April 1996 and as Chairman of the Board since June 2002. Kenneth B. Lee, Jr., Vice Chairman of the Board, is serving as interim Chairman of the Board until the Board appoints a permanent Chairman.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits.

No.	Description
99.1	Press Release, dated February 15, 2005

-2-

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
By:	/s/ Christy L. Shaffer
	Christy L. Shaffer,
	Chief Executive Officer

Dated: February 15, 2005

EXHIBIT INDEX

No.	Description
99.1	Press Release, February 15, 2005