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

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–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.

Contacts

22nd Century Group
James Vail, Director of Communications
716-270-1523
[email protected]