22nd Century Featured on the Cover of Tobacco International Magazine

Source from:  Business Wire 04/26/2016

22nd Century Group, Inc. (NYSE MKT: XXII), a plant biotechnology company that is a leader in tobacco harm reduction, announced today that 22nd Century is the featured cover story of the newest issue of Tobacco International magazine (see www.tobaccointernational.com). In a feature story entitled, "The Turn of the XXII Century Group," Murdoch McBride, Editor-in Chief of Tobacco International, interviews 22nd Century Group Chief Executive Officer, Henry Sicignano III, to explore the Company's technology, ambitions, and important mission.

In the cover article, McBride remarks: "Under CEO Henry Sicignano III, we are now seeing something of a turn of the century, with XXII transitioning from an early R&D [only] focus to the commercialization of its proprietary technology…" 22nd Century remains, at its core, an innovative biotechnology company that is aggressively pursuing the application of its game-changing technology to reduce the harm caused by smoking. McBride calls this disruptive mission a "bold endeavor" and then poses probing questions throughout the interview, both to understand the spirited biotechnology company and to determine what the future may hold for 22nd Century's remarkable technology.

When asked about 22nd Century's near term and longer term goals, Sicignano sums up the Company's activities succinctly:

"1. Secure an FDA marketing order for BRAND A, Very Low Nicotine reduced exposure cigarettes in the United States; 2. Announce a strategic partner for Phase III clinical trials in support of X-22, the Company's smoking cessation product; and 3. Grow sales and profits for 22nd Century. Well within the next five years, the Company also plans to 1. Launch BRAND A in the United States; 2. Submit a Modified Risk Tobacco Product application to the FDA for BRAND B, low tar-to-nicotine ratio cigarettes; 3. Apply for FDA approval for X-22… and launch X-22 in the United States; and 4. Introduce 22nd Century's proprietary tobacco products in Asia. Achieving any one or more of these important goals will transform 22nd Century into a true industry leader as it helps millions of people around the world reduce the harm caused by smoking."

Later in the interview, McBride moves the discussion from tobacco science to cannabis technology, noting that "though cannabis is outside Tobacco International's purview, 22nd Century holds the exclusive license in the U.S. for the technology to increase or decrease levels of cannabinoids in the cannabis plant." On this topic, McBride asks, "[Has] the cannabis genome been fully mapped and how important an area of interest [is] cannabis… for XXII?"

Sicignano responds: "The cannabis genome is sequenced, though the sequencing does appear to have gaps…. [22nd Century] intends to be the world leader in cannabis research through its ongoing research partnership with Anandia Laboratories in Canada." Sicignano adds: "Dr. [Paul] Rushton [the Company's Vice President of Plant Biotechnology] will work to ensure that 22nd Century is one of the world's foremost leaders in sponsored research on the cannabis plant with the objectives of producing low/no THC strains for use in hemp production and high CBD strains for use in the medical marijuana markets."

McBride concludes the interview by asking Sicignano about the many regulatory hurdles faced by 22nd Century. In answering this question, Sicignano again asserts 22nd Century's determination to achieve the Company's important harm reduction mission: "While successfully navigating regulatory issues does impact 22nd Century greatly, the Company is not simply following the path of least resistance… Instead, 22nd Century seeks to introduce its products [and technology] where they will accomplish the most good…" Enditem