ME NewsWire / Business Wire
CLARENCE, N.Y. - Tuesday, February 4th 2014
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. SPECTRUMis 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, aprescription 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.
Contacts
Redington, Inc.
Tom Redington
203-222-7399
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