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 11, 2009

TARGACEPT, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	000-51173	56-2020050
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

200 East First Street, Suite 300 Winston-Salem, North Carolina	27101
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(336) 480–2100

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

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:

¨ 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 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On May 11, 2009, Targacept, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009. The full text of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

The following exhibit is furnished with this report:

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release dated May 11, 2009

SIGNATURES

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.

	TARGACEPT, INC.
Date: May 11, 2009	/s/ Alan A. Musso
	Alan A. Musso
	Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release dated May 11, 2009