22nd Century Group, Inc. (OTCQB: XXII)
today announced that Goodrich Tobacco Company, its wholly-owned
subsidiary, has delivered an additional 5.5 million SPECTRUM®
government research cigarettes. SPECTRUM was developed by 22nd
Century for NIDA, a department of the U.S. National Institutes of Health
(NIH).
As the only company in the world capable of producing very low nicotine
(VLN) tobacco products, 22nd Century was chosen by NIDA to supply its
proprietary cigarettes as a subcontractor under a federal government
contract. The main SPECTRUM product line consists of a series of
cigarette styles that have a fixed “tar” yield but varying nicotine
yields over a 50-fold range – from very low to high. Altogether, SPECTRUM
features 24 styles, 11 regular and 13 menthol versions, with 8
different levels of nicotine content. SPECTRUM is strictly for
research purposes and will not be sold as a commercial cigarette.
Including this shipment, Goodrich Tobacco has thus far delivered more
than 17 million SPECTRUM cigarettes to NIDA, equating to 850,000
packs of 20 cigarettes. NIDA distributes SPECTRUM free of charge
to researchers carrying out independent studies.
Many research studies are being conducted with SPECTRUM. The
research includes: (i) exposure studies comparing how different nicotine
levels in cigarettes affect smoking behavior and exposure to smoke
compounds, (ii) smoking cessation studies, and (iii) studies to
determine whether there is a threshold nicotine level in cigarettes
which does not produce dependence. Most of these studies would be very
difficult, if not impossible, to conduct without SPECTRUM.
22nd Century will use the results from these studies, along with its own
research studies, to support two modified risk (reduced-risk)
applications it plans to file with the U.S. Food and Drug administration
(FDA) in 2014 for two types of cigarettes in development – BRAND A
and BRAND B. Compared to commercial cigarettes, BRAND A has
approximately 95% less nicotine than cigarettes previously marketed as
“lights,” and BRAND B’s smoke contains an extraordinary low
amount of “tar” per milligram of nicotine.
For additional information, please visit: www.xxiicentury.com
About 22nd Century Group, Inc.
22nd Century is a plant biotechnology company whose proprietary
technology allows for the levels of nicotine and other nicotinic
alkaloids (e.g., nornicotine, anatabine and anabasine) in the tobacco
plant to be decreased or increased through genetic engineering and plant
breeding. 22nd Century owns or is the exclusive licensee of 114 issued
patents in 78 countries plus an additional 38 pending patent
applications. Goodrich Tobacco Company, LLC and Hercules
Pharmaceuticals, LLC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of 22nd Century.
Goodrich Tobacco is focused on premium commercial tobacco products and
potentially less harmful cigarettes. Hercules Pharmaceuticals is focused
on X-22, a prescription smoking cessation aid in development.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This
press release contains forward-looking information, including all
statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding the
intent, belief or current expectations of 22nd Century Group, Inc., its
directors or its officers with respect to the contents of this press
release. The words “may,” “would,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,”
“anticipate,” “believe,” “intend” and similar expressions and variations
thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We cannot
guarantee future results, levels of activity or performance. You should
not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which
speak only as of the date that they were made. These cautionary
statements should be considered with any written or oral forward-looking
statements that we may issue in the future. Except as required by
applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we
do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform
these statements to reflect actual results, later events or
circumstances, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You
should carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us
in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2013, filed on January 30, 2014, including the section entitled “Risk
Factors,” and our other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission which attempt to advise interested parties of the
risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition,
results of operation and cash flows. If one or more of these risks or
uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove
incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected or
projected.
Copyright Business Wire 2014