22nd Century Group Hires Former Imperial Brands Head of Regulatory Science

22nd Century Group, Inc. (NYSE American:XXII), a plant biotechnology company that is a leader in tobacco harm reduction, Very Low Nicotine Content tobacco, and hemp/cannabis research, announced today the hiring of John D. Pritchard as Vice President of Regulatory Science. Mr. Pritchard was formerly the Head of Regulatory Science for Imperial Brands, U.K. (LSE:IMB).

Mr. Pritchard will lead and oversee the global regulatory and compliance activities for 22nd Century Group. He will engage with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in support of the Company’s Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) application for VLN™ cigarettes – the world’s lowest nicotine content tobacco cigarettes. In addition, Mr. Pritchard will work in support of the planned rule by the FDA to require the reduction of the nicotine content of all cigarettes sold in the U.S. to "minimally or non-addictive levels.” Mr. Pritchard will also lead the Company’s initiatives with foreign governments that are interested in 22nd Century’s proprietary Very Low Nicotine Content tobacco for use in their countries.

Over the course of his 12 years with Imperial Brands, Mr. Pritchard served in key management roles in product stewardship, compliance, research, and regulatory departments. As the head of Imperial Brand’s scientific regulatory engagement team, Mr. Pritchard led Imperial’s technical regulatory strategy and external scientific engagement on global product regulation. Mr. Pritchard has also held other scientific and regulatory posts in the private and public sector, including roles with Charles River, a leading global contract research organization, and with the U.K. Health Protection Agency (now, Public Health England).

Mr. Pritchard received a Master of Science Degree in Toxicology from the University of Birmingham, England and his Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacology from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. With work cited by the U.S. Surgeon General, the World Health Organization, and Public Health England, Mr. Pritchard has considerable experience in the fields of tobacco harm reduction and next generation tobacco products.

"John Pritchard is joining 22nd Century at a pivotal moment,” explained Henry Sicignano, III, President and CEO of 22nd Century Group. "John’s knowledge and experience will be invaluable to the Company’s efforts to engage lawmakers, public health officials, and FDA scientists in our mission to make VLN™ cigarettes the world’s first MRTP… and, even more importantly, to facilitate the FDA rule to make all cigarettes sold in the United States minimally or non-addictive. What’s more, John will spearhead our important discussions with foreign governments that are interested in bringing to market our proprietary Very Low Nicotine Content tobacco in their countries.”

"I am delighted with the opportunity to join the 22nd Century team and I look forward to working with a company whose mission is to reduce the harm caused by smoking,” explained Mr. Pritchard. "Smoking claims almost 500,000 American lives annually – and millions more worldwide. I believe 22nd Century’s proprietary technology will be a feasible and effective solution to the global epidemic caused by smokers’ addiction to nicotine.”

About 22nd Century Group, Inc.

22nd Century is a plant biotechnology company focused on technology which allows it to increase or decrease the level of nicotine in tobacco plants and the level of cannabinoids in hemp/cannabis plants through genetic engineering and plant breeding. The Company’s primary mission in tobacco is to reduce the harm caused by smoking. The Company’s primary mission in hemp/cannabis is to develop proprietary hemp strains for important new medicines and agricultural crops. Visit www.xxiicentury.com and www.botanicalgenetics.com for more information.

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, including but not limited to our future revenue expectations. 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, 2018, filed on March 6, 2019, 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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190417005173/en/