Last month Vertex kicked off the promised trial of its inhaled mRNA formulation for cystic fibrosis – a courageous move, given that this mechanism has failed in the past. In fact human trials are underway for several inhaled genetic medicine projects that aim to correct or replace the faulty CFTR gene which causes the disease.

As Eloxx Pharmaceuticals looks to posts full data from its midstage cystic fibrosis test in the coming months, it has swung the ax on its staffers and hired a new chief executive.

All told, 13 staffers will be axed to help save cash for the biotech until next year. It didn’t specify where all the cuts were from but did say it would “reduce managerial layers and consolidate roles across the organization.” Most are from the biotech’s leadership team.

Two small biotechs are drawing attention from analysts and investors-Amryt Pharma and Eloxx Pharmaceuticals.

That's exactly what happened this week with three small biotech stocks. Galmed Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:GLMD), Galectin Therapeutics (NASDAQ:GALT), and Eloxx Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ELOX) soared on news that excited investors.

Eloxx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Eloxx”),  (NASDAQ:ELOX), announced on 4/27/18 that it has received orphan-drug designation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ELX-02 for treatment of cystinosis from the FDA.

Eloxx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELOX) on 4/25/18 announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 5,130,000 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $9.75 per share. The gross proceeds to Eloxx from the offering are expected to be approximately $50 million, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.