<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2016-05-25</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001358762</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>REATA PHARMACEUTICALS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RETA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001662411</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Huff James Warren</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2801 GATEWAY DRIVE, SUITE 150</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>IRVING</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75063</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>See Remarks</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B common stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>763463</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B common stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>34800</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Huff 2010 Descendants' Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The Class B common stock is convertible into Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis (a) at the holder's election at any time after the date that is six months following the date of the closing of the initial public offering of the company's Class A common stock, (b) at the holder's election prior to that time subject to certain conditions, or (c) at the option of the company's board of directors, in its sole discretion, at any time or multiple times from time to time on or before the closing of the initial public offering. The conversion right of the Class B common stock has no expiration date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Of the 763,463 shares of Class B common stock, 33,840 are restricted stock granted on October 5, 2011, which vest in twenty equal quarterly installments beginning on January 5, 2012.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman of the Board of Directors

Exhibit List: Exhibit 24 - Power of Attorney</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michael D. Wortley, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2016-05-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
