<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950123-11-057966.txt : 20110610
<SEC-HEADER>0000950123-11-057966.hdr.sgml : 20110610
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20110609182819
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950123-11-057966
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	S-8
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		4
FILED AS OF DATE:		20110610
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20110609
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20110610

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RXI PHARMACEUTICALS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001390478
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		S-8
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-174819
		FILM NUMBER:		11904051

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		60 PRESCOTT  STREET
		CITY:			WORCESTER
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01605
		BUSINESS PHONE:		508-767-3861

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		60 PRESCOTT  STREET
		CITY:			WORCESTER
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01605
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>S-8
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>b86897sv8.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM S-8
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>sv8</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#B86897toc">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="47%"></TD>
    <TD width="5%"></TD>
    <TD width="47%"></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" valign="top"><B>As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June&nbsp;10, 2011</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><B>Registration No. 333-<U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U></B></TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size:3pt">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</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<BR>
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: 6pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE<BR>
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>RXi PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">
<B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</B></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>
<TR></TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware<BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of <BR>
incorporation or organization)</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>20-8099512<BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</B></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>60 Prescott Street<BR>
Worcester, Massachusetts 01605<BR>
(Address of principal executive offices)</B><BR>
<DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan<BR>
(Full title of the plan)</B><BR>
<DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Mark J. Ahn, Ph.D.<BR>
President and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation<BR>
60 Prescott Street<BR>
Worcester, Massachusetts 01605</B><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>(508)&nbsp;767-3861</B><BR>
(Telephone, including area code, of agent for service)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Copy to:</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Dale E. Short<BR>
TroyGould PC<BR>
1801 Century Park East, Suite&nbsp;1600<BR>
Los Angeles, California 90067<BR>
(310)&nbsp;553-4441</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Indicate by check mark (<FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#252;</FONT>) whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a
smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of
the Exchange Act. (Check one):</B>
</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="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR></TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap"><FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT> <B>Large accelerated filer</B></FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap"><FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT> <B>Accelerated filer</B></FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap"><FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT> <B>Non-accelerated filer</B></FONT>
<FONT style="white-space: nowrap"><B>(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</B></FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap"><FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#254;</FONT> <B>Smaller reporting company</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B></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="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="44%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="17%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="14%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <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="left">Title of each class of securities</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Amount to be</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px 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="left">to be registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">registered <SUP style="FONT-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(1)</SUP></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">offering price per share</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">aggregate offering price</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">registration fee</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common stock, par value $0.0001
per share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">250,000 shares</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$1.30<SUP style="FONT-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(2)</SUP></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$325,000<SUP style="FONT-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(2)</SUP></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$37.74</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px 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 align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 3pt; width: 18%; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement also covers such additional shares of common stock as may become issuable under
the RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;) as a result
of the anti-dilution adjustment provisions of the Plan.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Represents the current number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan. The
proposed maximum offering price per share and maximum aggregate offering price of these
shares were estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) of the Securities Act of 1933 on the basis of
the $1.30 average of the high and low sale prices of Registrant&#146;s common stock as reported
on The NASDAQ Capital Market on June&nbsp;3, 2011.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<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"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- TOC -->
<A name="B86897toc"><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">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#B86897000">PART I</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#B86897001">Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information.*</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#B86897002">Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.*</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#B86897003">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#B86897004">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#B86897005">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#B86897006">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#B86897007">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#B86897008">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#B86897009">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#B86897010">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#B86897011">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#B86897012"> EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b86897exv5w1.htm">EX-5.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b86897exv23w1.htm">EX-23.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b86897exv23w2.htm">EX-23.2</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<!-- /TOC -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#B86897toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<!-- link1 "PART I" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="B86897000"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>PART I</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information.*" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="B86897001"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 12pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Item&nbsp;1.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><B>Plan Information.*</B></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.*" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="B86897002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 12pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Item&nbsp;2.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><B>Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.*</B></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The information required by Part&nbsp;I to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted
from the Registration Statement in accordance with Rule&nbsp;428 of the Securities Act of 1933 and
the Note to Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->2<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#B86897toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">





<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="B86897003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II<BR><BR style="font-size:6pt">
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="B86897004"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 12pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Item&nbsp;3.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><B>Incorporation of Documents by Reference</B></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents previously filed by RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation (&#147;<B>we</B>,&#148; &#147;<B>us</B>,&#148;
&#147;<B>our</B>,&#148; or the &#147;<B>Company</B>&#148;) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;<B>Commission</B>&#148;) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the &#147;<B>Exchange Act</B>&#148;) are incorporated by reference in this
registration statement:
</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="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2010 filed with the
Commission on April&nbsp;15, 2011, as amended by our Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on May
2, 2011;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2011 filed with
the Commission on May&nbsp;16, 2011;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Our Current Reports on Form 8-K and amended Current Reports on Form 8-K/A filed with
the Commission on April&nbsp;14, 2011, April&nbsp;15, 2011,
April&nbsp;26, 2011, May&nbsp;4, 2011, and May&nbsp;17,
2011, respectively;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Our Schedules 14A filed with the Commission on May&nbsp;20, 2011 and May&nbsp;31, 2011,
respectively; 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="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of our common stock and related rights contained in our registration
statement on Form 8-A (file no. 001-33958), as amended, filed under the Exchange Act,
including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, each document (other than any portion of such document that is deemed not &#147;filed&#148;
in accordance with the Exchange Act and the Commission&#146;s rules) that we file with the Commission
under Section&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this registration
statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this registration statement that
indicates that all shares of common stock registered hereunder have been sold, or that deregisters
all such shares of common stock then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference into this registration statement and to be part thereof from the date of the filing of
such document.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="B86897005"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 12pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Item&nbsp;4.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><B>Description of Securities</B></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="B86897006"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 12pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Item&nbsp;5.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><B>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</B></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="B86897007"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 12pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Item&nbsp;6.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><B>Indemnification of Directors and Officers</B></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may indemnify
any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative,
other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that the person
is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the
corporation&#146;s request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-1<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#B86897toc">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">enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys&#146; fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action, suit or
proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person&#146;s conduct was unlawful. The
power to indemnify applies to actions brought by or in the right of the corporation as well, but
only to the extent of expenses, including attorneys&#146; fees but excluding judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the
defense or settlement of the action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the
person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and
except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which
such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent
that a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that such indemnity is proper.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(g) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation shall have
the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of its officers, directors, employees and
agents, against any liability asserted against and incurred by such persons in any such capacity.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides that a
corporation may eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such
provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i)&nbsp;for any breach of the
director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii)&nbsp;for acts or omissions not
in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii)&nbsp;under
Section&nbsp;174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or (iv)&nbsp;for any transaction
from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No such provision shall eliminate or
limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such
provision becomes effective.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that our directors shall not be
liable to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director, except to the extent that the exculpation from liabilities is not permitted under the
Delaware General Corporation Law as in effect at the time such liability is determined. In
addition, our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that we shall indemnify
our directors to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware. We have
entered into indemnification agreements with each of our non-employee directors that provide for
indemnification and expense advancement to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of
Delaware.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that we may purchase and
maintain insurance policies on behalf of our directors and officers against specified liabilities
for actions taken in their capacities as such, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We
have obtained directors and officers&#146; liability insurance to cover liabilities our directors and
officers may incur in connection with their services to us.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="B86897008"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 12pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Item&nbsp;7.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><B>Exemption from Registration Claimed</B></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</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"><!-- Folio -->II-2<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#B86897toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="B86897009"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 12pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Item&nbsp;8.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><B>Exhibits</B></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference as a part of this
registration statement:
</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="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">4.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (previously filed
on April&nbsp;23, 2010 as Annex B to the Registrant&#146;s definitive proxy statement on Schedule
14A and incorporated herein by reference).</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">5.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Opinion of TroyGould PC (included with this registration statement).</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">23.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Consent of BDO USA, LLP (included with this registration statement).</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">23.2</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Consent of Lohman Company, PLLC (included with this registration statement)</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">23.3</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Consent of TroyGould PC (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">24.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement).</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="B86897010"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 12pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Item&nbsp;9.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><B>Undertakings</B></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The Company hereby undertakes:
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;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">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
date of this 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
this registration statement;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution
not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information
in this registration statement; provided, however<I>, </I>that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not
apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs
is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company pursuant
to Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
reference in this registration statement;
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, 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; and</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;To file a post-effective amendment to remove from registration any of the
securities being registered that remain unsold at the termination of the offering.</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;The Company hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Company&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or Section
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-3<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#B86897toc">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">15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in this 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.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Company 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 Company 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 of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-4<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#B86897toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="B86897011"></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 Boston, State of
Massachusetts, on June&nbsp;9, 2011.
</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">RXi PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION<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/ Mark J. Ahn
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Mark J. Ahn&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: 6pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints Mark J. Ahn, Ph.D. and Robert E. Kennedy, and each of them, as his or her true and
lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him or her and in his or
her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this registration statement on Form S-8, with all exhibits thereto
and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting
unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act
and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.
</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="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Mark J. Ahn
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Mark J. Ahn
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal<BR>
Executive Officer) and Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June&nbsp;9, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Robert E. Kennedy
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Robert E. Kennedy
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top" nowrap>Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June&nbsp;9, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Sanford J. Hillsberg
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Sanford J. Hillsberg
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June&nbsp;9, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Richard Chin
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Richard Chin
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June&nbsp;9, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Steven S. Galliker
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Steven S. Galliker
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June&nbsp;9, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-5<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#B86897toc">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="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->


<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Steven S. Kriegsman
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Steven S. Kriegsman
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June&nbsp;9, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Rudolph Nisi
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Rudolph Nisi
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June&nbsp;9, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left">
<!-- /TOC -->
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-6<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#B86897toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 " EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="B86897012"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following exhibits are filed with this registration statement or are incorporated by
reference as a part of this registration statement:
</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="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">4.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (previously filed
on April&nbsp;23, 2010 as Annex B to the Registrant&#146;s definitive proxy statement on Schedule
14A and incorporated herein by reference).</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">5.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Opinion of TroyGould PC (included with this registration statement).</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">23.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Consent of BDO USA, LLP (included with this registration statement).</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">23.2</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Consent of Lohman Company, PLLC (included with this registration statement)</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">23.3</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Consent of TroyGould PC (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">24.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement).</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>



</BODY>
</HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-5.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>b86897exv5w1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-5.1
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>exv5w1</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>EXHIBIT 5.1</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">TROYGOULD PC<BR>
1801 Century Park East, 16<SUP style="FONT-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> Floor<BR>
Los Angeles, California 90067-2367
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">June&nbsp;9, 2011
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation<BR>
60 Prescott Street<BR>
Worcester, Massachusetts 01605

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Re: <U>Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8</U>
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Ladies and Gentlemen:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We have acted as counsel to RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
&#147;<U>Company</U>&#148;), in connection with a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the &#147;<U>Registration
Statement</U>&#148;) that the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
&#147;<U>Commission</U>&#148;) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;<U>Securities Act</U>&#148;),
on or about June&nbsp;9, 2011 for the purpose of registering the offer and sale of up to 250,000 shares
(the &#147;<U>Shares</U>&#148;) of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, issued or issuable under
the Company&#146;s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the &#147;<U>Plan</U>&#148;). This opinion letter is being
given to you pursuant to your request.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As a basis for rendering our opinion expressed below, we have reviewed originals or copies of
originals, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i)&nbsp;the Registration
Statement, (ii)&nbsp;the Plan, (iii)&nbsp;the Company&#146;s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
Amended and Restated Bylaws, each as amended to date, (iv)&nbsp;minutes or resolutions of the Company&#146;s
Board of Directors and stockholders pertaining to the adoption of the Plan and issuance of the
Shares, the Registration Statement and related matters, and (v)&nbsp;such other certificates of public
officials, certificates of officers of the Company and other documents as we have considered
necessary or appropriate as a basis for rendering our opinion.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With your permission, in order to render our opinion, we have made and relied upon such
customary assumptions as we have deemed necessary or appropriate without any independent
investigation or inquiry by us. Among other things, we have assumed that: all signatures on
documents reviewed by us are genuine; all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic; and
all documents submitted to us as copies conform to the originals of such documents, and such
originals are authentic.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The law covered by our opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware. We neither
express nor imply any opinion with respect to any other laws or the laws of any other jurisdiction,
and we assume no responsibility with respect to the application or effect of any such laws.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This opinion letter is limited to the opinion expressly stated below, does not include any
implied opinions and is rendered as of the date hereof. We do not undertake to advise you of
matters that may
</DIV>




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->1<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">




<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation<BR>
June&nbsp;9, 2011<BR>
Page 2 of 2

</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">come to our attention subsequent to the date hereof and that may affect our
opinion, including, without limitation, future changes in applicable law.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Based upon and subject to all of the foregoing, we are of the opinion that all Shares that are
issued, delivered and paid for in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Registration
Statement and the Plan will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
However, by giving you this opinion letter and consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within
the category of persons whose consent is required under Section&nbsp;7 of the Securities Act or the
rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
</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">Very truly yours,<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ TroyGould PC
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">TROYGOULD PC&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->2<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

</BODY>
</HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>b86897exv23w1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-23.1
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>exv23w1</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<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>

</TABLE>

<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;23.1</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation<BR>
60 Prescott Street<BR>
Worcester, Massachusetts 01605

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting a part of
this Registration Statement of our report dated April&nbsp;15, 2011, relating to the financial
statements of RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation appearing in the company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2010.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">/s/ BDO USA, LLP<BR>
Boston, Massachusetts

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">June 9, 2011

</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

</BODY>
</HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.2
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>b86897exv23w2.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-23.2
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>exv23w2</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;23.2</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Consent of Independent Auditors</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation<BR>
60 Prescott Street<BR>
Worcester, Massachusetts 01605

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting a part of
this Registration Statement of our report dated April&nbsp;11, 2011, relating to the financial
statements of Apthera, Inc. appearing in the Current Report on Form 8-K/A of RXi Pharmaceuticals
Corporation dated April&nbsp;14, 2011.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">/s/ Lohman Company, PLLC<BR>
Mesa, Arizona

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">June 9, 2011

</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>




</BODY>
</HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
