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  <xsd:element id="acrs_CommonStockNumberOfVotesPerShare" name="CommonStockNumberOfVotesPerShare" nillable="true" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_EquityIncentivePlan2015Member" name="EquityIncentivePlan2015Member" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_EmployeeConsultantsAndDirectorsStockOptionsMember" name="EmployeeConsultantsAndDirectorsStockOptionsMember" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermAbstract" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTermAbstract" nillable="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAggregateIntrinsicValueAbstract" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAggregateIntrinsicValueAbstract" nillable="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_AccruedLiabilitiesDisclosureCurrentTextBlock" name="AccruedLiabilitiesDisclosureCurrentTextBlock" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_AccruedResearchAndDevelopmentCostsCurrent" name="AccruedResearchAndDevelopmentCostsCurrent" nillable="true" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_AchievementOfSpecifiedRegulatoryMilestonesMember" name="AchievementOfSpecifiedRegulatoryMilestonesMember" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_ConfluenceMember" name="ConfluenceMember" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_EquityCompensation2017InducementPlanMember" name="EquityCompensation2017InducementPlanMember" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_BusinessCombinationMaximumContingentConsiderationMilestonePaymentsPerAgreement" name="BusinessCombinationMaximumContingentConsiderationMilestonePaymentsPerAgreement" nillable="true" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_ContingentConsiderationPolicyPolicyTextBlock" name="ContingentConsiderationPolicyPolicyTextBlock" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_AtMarketOfferingMember" name="AtMarketOfferingMember" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_ContractResearchSegmentMember" name="ContractResearchSegmentMember" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_SummaryOfAccountingPoliciesTable" name="SummaryOfAccountingPoliciesTable" nillable="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_SummaryOfAccountingPoliciesLineItems" name="SummaryOfAccountingPoliciesLineItems" nillable="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_DermatologyTherapeuticsSegmentMember" name="DermatologyTherapeuticsSegmentMember" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_LaboratoryResearchRevenueMember" name="LaboratoryResearchRevenueMember" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_AssetPurchaseAgreementEncompassingWorldwideRightsToOxymetazolineHydrochlorideCreamPlusIntellectualPropertyMember" name="AssetPurchaseAgreementEncompassingWorldwideRightsToOxymetazolineHydrochlorideCreamPlusIntellectualPropertyMember" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_OperatingLeasesAbstract" name="OperatingLeasesAbstract" nillable="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_OperatingLeasesMember" name="OperatingLeasesMember" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_UnauditedInterimFinancialInformationPolicyPolicyTextBlock" name="UnauditedInterimFinancialInformationPolicyPolicyTextBlock" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicyTextBlock" name="SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicyTextBlock" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_LesseeOperatingAndFinanceLeasesTextBlock" name="LesseeOperatingAndFinanceLeasesTextBlock" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_AgreementTermDuration" name="AgreementTermDuration" nillable="true" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_AgreementAndPlanOfMergerMember" name="AgreementAndPlanOfMergerMember" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_ContingentConsiderationAbstract" name="ContingentConsiderationAbstract" nillable="true" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_PercentageOfAssetsCurrentStageOfDevelopmentAndReview" name="PercentageOfAssetsCurrentStageOfDevelopmentAndReview" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_PercentageOfDiscountRatesAppliedToContingentPayment" name="PercentageOfDiscountRatesAppliedToContingentPayment" nillable="true" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="acrs_OperatingLeasesAmortizationExpense" name="OperatingLeasesAmortizationExpense" nillable="true" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element name="DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleOther" id="acrs_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleOther" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element name="LicensingExpenses" id="acrs_LicensingExpenses" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element name="PatentLicenseAgreementMember" id="acrs_PatentLicenseAgreementMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="EliLillyAndCompanyMember" id="acrs_EliLillyAndCompanyMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="RegulatoryAndCommercialMilestonesPaymentsReceived" id="acrs_RegulatoryAndCommercialMilestonesPaymentsReceived" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element name="AccruedLicensingExpensesPayableCurrent" id="acrs_AccruedLicensingExpensesPayableCurrent" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element name="MarketableSecuritiesMaturityPeriod" id="acrs_MarketableSecuritiesMaturityPeriod" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element name="SunPharmaceuticalIndustriesIncMember" id="acrs_SunPharmaceuticalIndustriesIncMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="PercentageOfSaleOfEpiHealthCream" id="acrs_PercentageOfSaleOfEpiHealthCream" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element name="RoyaltyPurchaseAgreementMember" id="acrs_RoyaltyPurchaseAgreementMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="OntarioMunicipalEmployeesRetirementSystemMember" id="acrs_OntarioMunicipalEmployeesRetirementSystemMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="ProceedsFromUpfrontPayment" id="acrs_ProceedsFromUpfrontPayment" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element name="PercentageOfRemainingAnniversaryMilestonePaymentsPayableAcquired" id="acrs_PercentageOfRemainingAnniversaryMilestonePaymentsPayableAcquired" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element name="RoyaltyPurchaseAgreementDisclosureAbstract" id="acrs_RoyaltyPurchaseAgreementDisclosureAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="RoyaltyPurchaseAgreementDisclosureTextBlock" id="acrs_RoyaltyPurchaseAgreementDisclosureTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element name="DeferredIncomeRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesPolicyPolicyTextBlock" id="acrs_DeferredIncomeRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesPolicyPolicyTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element name="JosephMonahanMember" id="acrs_JosephMonahanMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="InducementPlan2024Member" id="acrs_InducementPlan2024Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="PaymentOfUpfrontConsideration" id="acrs_PaymentOfUpfrontConsideration" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element name="DevelopmentCostsReimbursed" id="acrs_DevelopmentCostsReimbursed" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element name="ContingentConsiderationPayableUponAchievementOfCertainMilestones" id="acrs_ContingentConsiderationPayableUponAchievementOfCertainMilestones" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element name="AchievementOfSpecifiedSalesMilestonesMember" id="acrs_AchievementOfSpecifiedSalesMilestonesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedAmortization" id="acrs_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedAmortization" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element name="OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetBeforeAccumulatedAmortization" id="acrs_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetBeforeAccumulatedAmortization" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element name="DrugCandidateAti2138Member" id="acrs_DrugCandidateAti2138Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="DrugCandidateAti052Member" id="acrs_DrugCandidateAti052Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="DrugDiscoveryPlatformMember" id="acrs_DrugDiscoveryPlatformMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="DrugCandidateBosakitugMember" id="acrs_DrugCandidateBosakitugMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="ResearchAndDevelopmentProjectSpend" id="acrs_ResearchAndDevelopmentProjectSpend" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element name="ResearchAndDevelopmentExpensePersonnelCharges" id="acrs_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpensePersonnelCharges" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element name="ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseOther" id="acrs_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseOther" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element name="NealWalkerMember" id="acrs_NealWalkerMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="KevinBalthaserMember" id="acrs_KevinBalthaserMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="CostOfRevenueExcludingRestructuringExpense" id="acrs_CostOfRevenueExcludingRestructuringExpense" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element name="Rule10b51ArrangementModifiedFlag" id="acrs_Rule10b51ArrangementModifiedFlag" type="xbrli:booleanItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element name="NonRule10b51ArrangementModifiedFlag" id="acrs_NonRule10b51ArrangementModifiedFlag" type="xbrli:booleanItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element name="EquityIncentivePlan2025Member" id="acrs_EquityIncentivePlan2025Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="AwardsRemainedAvailableForGrantUnder2015PlanMember" id="acrs_AwardsRemainedAvailableForGrantUnder2015PlanMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="AwardsRemainedAvailableForGrantUnder2015PlanAnd2012PlanMember" id="acrs_AwardsRemainedAvailableForGrantUnder2015PlanAnd2012PlanMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="AccountsReceivablePrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent" id="acrs_AccountsReceivablePrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit" />
  <xsd:element name="IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivablePrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets" id="acrs_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivablePrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element name="PaymentOfDeferredTransactionsConsiderationToAcquireIntangibleAssets" id="acrs_PaymentOfDeferredTransactionsConsiderationToAcquireIntangibleAssets" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
  <xsd:element name="ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesUnexercised" id="acrs_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesUnexercised" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" abstract="false" />
  <xsd:element name="DrugCandidateAti9494Member" id="acrs_DrugCandidateAti9494Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="SingleReportableSegmentMember" id="acrs_SingleReportableSegmentMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="true" />
  <xsd:element name="PaymentOfLicenseCosts" id="acrs_PaymentOfLicenseCosts" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit" />
</xsd:schema>
