Welcome to our dedicated page for 22Nd Century news (Ticker: XXII), a resource for investors and traders seeking the latest updates and insights on 22Nd Century stock.
22nd Century Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: XXII) is a pioneering agricultural biotechnology company based in the United States. The company specializes in reducing the harms associated with smoking through advanced plant science technologies. 22nd Century leverages proprietary technology to precisely control the levels of nicotine in tobacco plants, making them significantly lower or higher through genetic engineering and selective breeding.
22nd Century operates primarily in the tobacco sector, commercializing its proprietary very low nicotine content (VLNC) tobacco plants and cigarette products. These products include reduced nicotine tobacco cigarettes marketed under the brand VLN®, which have up to 97% less nicotine than traditional cigarettes. VLN® received the first and only FDA Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) authorization for a combustible cigarette in December 2021, underscoring its breakthrough in the industry.
The company also has a significant footprint in the cannabis sector, applying its technology to control cannabinoid levels in cannabis plants, aiming to optimize health and wellness benefits. The company's wholly-owned subsidiaries, Goodrich Tobacco Company and Hercules Pharmaceuticals, focus on premium tobacco products and smoking cessation aids, respectively.
Recent strategic moves include restructuring to streamline operations and improve financial performance. The company has reduced cash use from $15 million a quarter to under $4 million projected for the first quarter of 2024. Recent business highlights feature new contract manufacturing agreements and expanded product lines, such as the Pinnacle brand cigarettes and cigarillos. These efforts are expected to propel 22nd Century towards cash-positive operations by Q1 2025.
Financially, the company has taken steps to bolster its balance sheet, announcing multiple equity transactions to reduce long-term and short-term debt. As of December 31, 2023, the company held $2.1 million in cash, with subsequent capital infusions improving liquidity. Revenue is majorly derived from its tobacco segment, with research cigarettes sold under the SPECTRUM brand adding to commercial activities.
For investors, 22nd Century's commitment to innovation in plant biotechnology presents a compelling case for growth. The company continues to host quarterly earnings calls, with the latest results showing promising advances in both financial metrics and strategic goals. Learn more at xxiicentury.com
22nd Century Group (Nasdaq: XXII) has launched its VLN® cigarettes, which contain 95% less nicotine than standard cigarettes, in over 150 Circle K stores in Chicagoland. This marks the first U.S. sales of VLN®, which is FDA-approved as a modified risk tobacco product, aimed at helping adult smokers reduce their nicotine consumption. Extensive research indicates that using VLN® can lead to significant reductions in cravings and daily cigarette intake. The pilot program aims to expand nationwide, leveraging the high smoking rate in Illinois, where 15.5% of adults smoke.
22nd Century Group has appointed Dr. Calvin Treat as Chief Scientific Officer, effective May 23, 2022, to enhance its expertise in plant-based biotechnology. Dr. Treat joins with extensive experience from Bayer, where he managed over $2 billion in R&D for crops. He aims to lead the company’s expanding scientific operations across its alkaloid plant franchises, focusing on tobacco, hemp/cannabis, and hops. Under his leadership, the company plans to leverage its patented technologies and global partnerships in the $1.3 trillion market for plant science.
22nd Century Group (Nasdaq: XXII) announced that its VLN® cigarettes will be listed in the Illinois Directory of Participating Manufacturers effective April 4, 2022. This registration allows distribution of the FDA-authorized reduced nicotine cigarettes as part of a pilot program in Chicagoland. VLN® cigarettes contain 95% less nicotine and are designed to help adult smokers reduce consumption. A pilot program is set to commence in a market with a smoking rate of 15.5%, above the national average.
Roth Capital Partners has initiated research coverage on 22nd Century Group (Nasdaq: XXII), a leader in agricultural biotechnology focused on tobacco harm reduction.
CEO James A. Mish and CFO Richard Fitzgerald will host meetings on March 14-15, 2022, at the Roth Capital Annual Conference in Laguna Niguel, California.
The company is known for its reduced nicotine tobacco products and received the first FDA MRTP authorization for a combustible cigarette in December 2021, aiming to improve health through modern plant science.
22nd Century Group (Nasdaq: XXII) announced FDA MRTP authorization for VLN® cigarettes, enabling a U.S. pilot market launch in Chicago with Circle K as the first retail partner. The company reported a 10.1% increase in full-year net sales, reaching $30.9 million. Despite rising operational costs and a net loss of $(32.6) million, the firm has commenced hemp/cannabis revenue and is expanding its international reach, beginning with South Korea. The company is positioned to disrupt the tobacco market with its reduced nicotine products.
22nd Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: XXII) announced the upcoming launch of its VLN® reduced nicotine content cigarettes in South Korea's $1.6 billion tobacco market, targeting the high smoking rate in the country. The first revenue from shipments is expected by the end of March 2022. The government of South Korea has been promoting smoking cessation, enhancing the market potential for VLN®. The company is also proceeding to launch in additional Asian and European markets while leveraging its MRTP authorization in the U.S. to establish a foothold in the $80 billion tobacco market.
The FDA's rulemaking could position 22nd Century Group's VLN® Menthol King as the only menthol cigarette available, following the FDA's commitment to ban menthol cigarettes. The VLN® brand offers reduced nicotine content, with 95% less nicotine than leading brands, aligning with the FDA's push to lower nicotine levels in cigarettes. CEO James A. Mish highlighted the potential of VLN® to help smokers transition away from addiction. Authorized by the FDA as a modified risk tobacco product, VLN® aims to provide a healthier alternative in a $80 billion industry.
22nd Century Group (Nasdaq: XXII) has achieved a significant breakthrough in hemp/cannabis plant research through collaboration with KeyGene. The company successfully transformed the hemp/cannabis genome using proprietary technology, enabling targeted DNA insertion to enhance traits like cannabinoid content and yield.
This advancement opens new revenue opportunities and strengthens 22nd Century's position in the emerging hemp/cannabis genetics field, allowing for faster, cost-effective creation of high-value commercial plant lines.
22nd Century Group has received USDA Organic Certification for its hemp production at Needle Rock Farms, enhancing its ability to command premium pricing and margins on hemp biomass. This certification supports the company's development of innovative hemp/cannabis plant lines, catering to specific customer requirements more efficiently than traditional breeding methods. The company completed the harvest of its initial customized hemp lines in late 2021 and plans to expand its offerings in 2022, positioning itself for growth in the expanding hemp market driven by legalization efforts.
22nd Century Group (Nasdaq: XXII) announced a live webcast on March 1, 2022, at 10:00 AM ET, to discuss its 2021 fourth quarter and full-year financial results. The results will be released at 6:00 AM ET that day. CEO James A. Mish and other executives will review financials and advancements in the company's tobacco harm reduction initiatives. An interactive Q&A session will follow, allowing analysts and shareholders to engage with management. The webcast will be available on the company's Investor Relations page.