[INVNT GROUP]™ Bets Big on Live; Enhances Live Brand Storytelling Capabilities with Newly Formed ITP LIVE, in the Strategic Acquisitions of InSync Production Services, Thunder Audio and Morpheus Lights.

Introducing ITP LIVE: An Integrated Production Services Division of INVNT®

New York, Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — [INVNT GROUP] THE GLOBAL BRANDSTORY PROJECT™ announces the strategic acquisitions of four historied live event production companies: ITP LIVE, InSync Production Services, Thunder Audio, and Morpheus Lights.

Led by President and CEO, Scott Cullather, [INVNT GROUP] represents a growing portfolio of complementary disciplines designed to help forward thinking brands everywhere, impact the audiences that matter anywhere.

“This deal is a key pillar of our integrated vertical growth strategy as [INVNT GROUP] THE GLOBAL BRANDSTORY PROJECT. The dedicated search for these four companies has been in development for over 18 months. We sought leaders in the technical and production aspects of the live events industry, who were delivering premier production services to legacy brands and many of the world’s biggest peforming artists. These acquisitions will expand our innovation capabilities, allowing INVNT, our live events business, to offer our customers the ultimate in live events and experiential activations.”

Scott Cullather, President and CEO,  [INVNT GROUP]

[INVNT GROUP] consists of modern brand strategy firm, Folk Hero; creative-led culture consultancy, Meaning; branded content studio and content marketing agency HEVĒ; collegiate events and experiences, INVNT Higher Education, the original global live brand storytelling agency, INVNT and now ITP LIVE consisting of: InSync Production Services, Thunder Audio and Morpheus Lights.

For more than twenty-five years, these production companies have supported the design and execution of experiential and live entertainment programs for many of the largest corporations, trade associations, sports franchises, governmental agencies (including the White House), and some of the most successful artists in the world: Bruce Springsteen, Snoop Dog, Lady Gaga, Lionel Richie, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Metallica, Post Malone, Tyler Perry and more.

The companies will continue to operate under their current names and will service their existing roster of clients, seek new clients, and providing services to synergistic INVNT opportunities and projects.

“Historically, producing live events has often required a great deal of outsourcing on virtually every project. Through these strategic acquisitions we will have end-to-end control over every aspect of our live events – especially quality and cost, continuing to deliver world-class service and at the very best value. The merging of resources and networks also gives us geographical spread across North America. Our anticipation is to continue growing these resources in other territories around the world. This is only the beginning.”

Kristina McCoobery, COO [INVNT GROUP] and CEO INVNT

Rooted in experiential marketing, [INVNT GROUP]’s expansion comes as part of a strategic, yet natural evolution. This business partnership creates a unique offering in the market, and enhances the group’s abilities to fulfill creative, technological, and strategic designs in dynamic new ways.

“When [INVNT GROUP] approached us about the idea of coming together and amplifying our resources, I was instantly drawn to the group’s commitment to impactful storytelling. Their award-winning work aligns with our vision of the newly formed ITP LIVE, that includes Insync Production Services, Thunder Audio and Morpheus Lights,. We’re excited by the incredible synergies created through our partnership and welcome a new chapter in designing the best events on the planet.”

Pat Hand, CEO, ITP LIVE

This transaction was structured by Wolf Karbe, CFO of [INVNT GROUP] and represented by Evergreen Advisors Capital and Center Rock Advisors. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About [INVNT GROUP]

[INVNT GROUP] was established in 2020, as an evolution of the founding global live brand storytelling agency INVNT in 2008, with a vision to provide consistent, meaningful, well-articulated BrandStory across all platforms. With offices in New York, Sydney, London, Singapore, San Francisco, Sydney, Stockholm, Detroit, and Washington D.C.; headed by President and CEO, Scott Cullather, [INVNT GROUP], THE GLOBAL BRANDSTORY PROJECT™ represents a growing portfolio of complementary disciplines designed to help forward-thinking organizations everywhere, impact the audiences that matter, anywhere. The GROUP consists of modern brand strategy firm, Folk Hero; creative-led culture consultancy, Meaning; branded content studio and content marketing agency HEVĒ, INVNT Higher Ed; events for colleges and universities, and the original live brand storytelling agency, INVNT. For more information about [INVNT GROUP], visit: www.invntgroup.com.

About INVNT

Founded in 2008 by Scott Cullather and Kristina McCoobery, INVNT uses the craft of live brand storytelling to create and produce live experiences that excite and unite physical and virtual audiences, globally. The company’s ‘challenge everything’ positioning statement helps clients including General Motors, PepsiCo, Merck, Microsoft, Pfizer, and Samsung share their stories with every audience that matters. INVNT’s offices are strategically located in New York, London, Sydney, Detroit, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Stockholm and Singapore. For more information about INVNT, visit: www.invnt.com.

About ITP LIVE

ITP Live – Ideas. Technology. People. was Founded by Pat Hand (CEO) and Paul Mullen (COO) who collectively have over 60 years of experience in event design and production management.  Pat Hand, former CEO, PRG Mid-Atlantic and Paul Mullen former President and CEO, Greyhound Exposition Services have created, managed, and integrated world class companies and were forerunners of providing end to end, turnkey production solutions. Their strategy spans from concept through execution with a true 360 production approach. Pat and Paul will oversee management for InSync, Thunder Audio and Morpheus Lights, to ensure smooth integration and growth while fully maximizing production synergies with INVNT creating significant cost savings while ensuring best in class production support services.   For more information about ITP LIVE, visit: www.itplive.com

About INSYNC PRODUCTION SERVICES

An iconic show production company, founded over 25 years ago in Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world, powering the Indy 500, Super Bowl and supporting clients that include L’Oreal, Dell Computers, Nissan, Verizon and Wells Fargo. Built around the broadcast video landscape, a creative leader leveraging LED technology. For more information about Insync Production Services, visit: www.insyncproductionservices.com.

About THUNDER AUDIO

Thunder Audio, a family owned business for over 42 years, has amplified some of the largest musical artists in the world including: Billy Joel, Post Malone, Elton John, Lionel Ritchie, Metallica, Diana Ross, and Earth Wind and Fire. Thunder Audio design and produce dynamic audio services for live experiences of all varieties and scales. Thunder Audio has always been a part of supporting touring, music festivals, corporate events, broadcast, sporting and governmental events. Providing the finest technology with premier manufacturers in the industry. For more information about Thunder Audio, visit: www.thunderaudioinc.com.

About MORPHEUS LIGHTS

Morpheus Lights has staked a global claim in the art and science of performance illumination in live events. For over 25 years, the company has counted on top-tier technology partners like AYRTON, Martin/Harmon, and Clay Paky to support lighting design and execution on  tours and performances for Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, and Lady Gaga. The company uses an eco-conscious approach to all projects, constantly researching for the most environmentally friendly products. For more information about Morpheus Lights, visit: www.morpheuslights.com.

 

Attachment

Jhonathan Mendez de Leon
[INVNT GROUP]
3478192089
jmendezdeleon@invnt.com

La FDA autorise la commercialisation des cigarettes VLN® de 22nd Century Group en tant que produit du tabac à risque modifié

    • VLN® est la première et la seule cigarette combustible au monde à recevoir la désignation MRTP de la FDA
    • La FDA ajoute une allégation principale fondée sur des preuves « Vous aide à fumer moins » aux allégations demandées par l’entreprise
    • Les cigarettes à teneur réduite de 95 % en nicotine VLN® seront lancées aux États-Unis d’ici 90 jours
    • VLN® sera lancée en dehors des États-Unis au cours du premier trimestre 2022

BUFFALO, New York, 29 déc. 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 22nd Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq : XXII), une société de biotechnologie agricole de premier plan axée sur la réduction des méfaits du tabac, la réduction du tabac à nicotine et l’amélioration de la santé et du bien-être grâce à une science des plantes moderne, a annoncé aujourd’hui que la Food and Drug Administration (FDA) des États-Unis a autorisé la commercialisation des cigarettes VLN® King et VLN Menthol King de la société en tant que produits du tabac à risque modifié (MRTP). Ce faisant, l’agence a conclu que VLN®, qui se fume, a le goût et l’odeur d’une cigarette conventionnelle mais contient 95 % moins de nicotine que les cigarettes conventionnelles hautement addictives, « contribue à réduire l’exposition et la consommation de nicotine pour les fumeurs qui les utilisent ».

« La décision prise aujourd’hui d’autoriser la demande MRTP de VLN® place la FDA et 22nd Century à l’avant-garde de la transformation de l’industrie du tabac. Avec 60 % des fumeurs adultes qui, dans le cadre de notre étude de marché aux États-Unis, nous ont dit qu’ils sont susceptibles d’essayer VLN®, il s’agit d’un produit totalement révolutionnaire pour 22nd Century, l’industrie du tabac, la santé publique et les fumeurs adultes cherchant à changer leur relation avec la nicotine, la substance chimique addictive que contiennent tous les produits du tabac. C’est la première et ce sera très probablement la seule cigarette combustible à porter la désignation MRTP de la FDA. La décision de la FDA d’exiger l’allégation principale supplémentaire « Vous aide à fumer moins » parallèlement à notre demande de titre « 95 % de nicotine en moins » donne aux fumeurs adultes une raison claire de remplacer leurs cigarettes conventionnelles et hautement addictives par VLN® », a déclaré James A. Mish, président-directeur général de 22nd Century Group.

« Notre mission consiste à trouver des moyens de mettre fin aux maladies et aux décès liés au tabac. Nous savons que trois fumeurs adultes sur quatre souhaitent cesser de fumer et les données sur ces produits montrent qu’ils peuvent aider les fumeurs adultes dépendants à abandonner les cigarettes fortement toxiques », a déclaré Mitch Zeller, J.D., directeur du Center for Tobacco Products de la FDA. « Disposer d’options telles que les produits autorisés aujourd’hui, qui contiennent moins de nicotine et sont raisonnablement susceptibles de réduire la dépendance à la nicotine, peut aider les fumeurs adultes. Si les fumeurs adultes étaient moins dépendants des cigarettes combustibles, ils fumeraient probablement moins et pourraient être exposés à moins de produits chimiques nocifs qui sont responsables des maladies et des décès liés au tabac. »

« Après avoir obtenu ce décret de mise sur le marché de la FDA, nous sommes fin prêts à lancer VLN® avec des partenaires de vente au détail et marketing sélectionnés sur nos marchés pilotes aux États-Unis dans les 90 prochains jours et sur le premier de plusieurs marchés mondiaux d’ici la fin du premier trimestre 2022. Nous sommes également en pourparlers avec d’autres partenaires commerciaux, marketing et stratégiques pour augmenter les ventes de VLN® aux États-Unis et à l’international, notamment par le biais d’une licence potentielle de notre technologie pour faciliter la transition plus large de l’industrie vers les produits RNC. Nous fournirons des détails supplémentaires sur les partenaires stratégiques et le déploiement de VLN® au cours des prochains mois », a déclaré M. Mish.

La FDA a autorisé la commercialisation de VLN® avec les allégations MRTP suivantes :

  • « Vous aide à fumer moins. »
  • « 95 % de nicotine en moins. »
  • « Aide à réduire votre consommation de nicotine. »
  • « …Réduit considérablement votre consommation de nicotine. »

La décision de la FDA d’autoriser les allégations MRTP de la société et d’exiger l’allégation supplémentaire « Vous aide à fumer moins » sur chaque paquet de cigarettes VLN® et dans chaque publicité sur VLN® où l’une des autres allégations autorisées est également utilisée reposait sur un vaste corpus scientifique composé de dizaines d’études scientifiques et cliniques indépendantes utilisant les cigarettes de tabac à teneur en nicotine réduite (RNC) de 22nd Century. Ces études, qui ont été financées en grande partie par la FDA, les National Institutes of Health (NIH) et d’autres agences gouvernementales fédérales des États-Unis, ainsi que des études financées par 22nd Century, montrent que les fumeurs qui utilisent des cigarettes RNC – même ceux qui n’avaient pas l’intention d’arrêter de fumer au début des études – réduisent leur exposition et leur dépendance à la nicotine, fument moins de cigarettes par jour, augmentent leur nombre de jours sans fumer, et doublent leurs tentatives d’abandon – le tout avec des symptômes minimaux ou inexistants de manque de nicotine ou de tabagisme compensatoire.

Dans l’annonce de sa décision aujourd’hui, la FDA a expliqué : « Les données ont également montré qu’il était raisonnablement probable que l’utilisation de ces produits réduise la dépendance à la nicotine, et entraîne des réductions à long terme de l’exposition aux substances toxiques liées au tabagisme associées à la morbidité et à la mortalité en réduisant le tabagisme. Des études publiées ont montré que la réduction significative du nombre de cigarettes fumées par jour est associée à un risque plus faible de cancer du poumon et de décès, une réduction plus importante du nombre de cigarettes par jour entraînant un risque moindre. En outre, comme l’exige l’autorisation, la FDA a estimé que les demandes étayaient la compréhension par les consommateurs des allégations selon lesquelles les cigarettes VLN® contenaient beaucoup moins de nicotine que les autres cigarettes. »

VLN® est également la première et la seule cigarette combustible à arriver sur le marché qui est conforme au plafond de nicotine proposé par la FDA pour les cigarettes conventionnelles dans son Comprehensive Plan for Tobacco and Nicotine Regulation (Plan complet de réglementation du tabac et de la nicotine), ainsi qu’au mandat de réduction de la teneur en nicotine récemment proposé par la Nouvelle-Zélande.

« Nous sommes convaincus que l’annonce faite aujourd’hui par la FDA illustre clairement ses progrès dans son plan pour lutter contre les méfaits incroyables causés par le tabagisme. Ce plan prévoit l’autorisation de produits du tabac moins toxiques tels que les cigarettes électroniques et d’autres produits non combustibles, ainsi qu’un plafond de 0,5 mg de nicotine par gramme de tabac dans les produits du tabac combustibles. Ce niveau de nicotine, que la FDA a décrit comme étant “faiblement ou non addictif”, a déjà été atteint par 22nd Century dans ses produits VLN® », a déclaré M. Mish.

La FDA a réitéré aujourd’hui dans son annonce qu’elle est « engagée à faire avancer le processus d’élaboration de règles visant à interdire le menthol en tant qu’arôme caractéristique dans les cigarettes et tous les arômes caractéristiques dans les cigares et reste sur la bonne voie pour publier des projets de règles au printemps 2022 » et le fait que les cigarettes VLN® King et VLN® Menthol King « pourraient aider les fumeurs de cigarettes dépendants à réduire leur consommation de nicotine et le nombre de cigarettes qu’ils fument par jour ».

« Alors que la FDA cherche également à interdire le menthol dans les cigarettes hautement addictives, nous nous attendons à ce qu’elle autorise nos cigarettes VLN® Menthol, qui offrent peu d’attrait pour les jeunes et les anciens fumeurs en raison de leur teneur réduite en nicotine, à rester sur le marché pour fournir une rampe de sortie aux fumeurs adultes de cigarettes mentholées », a ajouté M. Mish.

La décision de la FDA s’appuie en outre sur des recherches projetant qu’une norme de produit de l’industrie visant à abaisser la teneur en nicotine dans les cigarettes à des niveaux minimaux ou non addictifs modifierait considérablement la trajectoire de la dépendance à la cigarette, qui est la principale cause de maladies et de décès évitables aux États-Unis. Environ cinq millions de fumeurs adultes arrêteraient de fumer dans un délai d’un an seulement après sa mise en œuvre, plus de 33 millions de personnes éviteraient de devenir des fumeurs réguliers, et plus de huit millions de décès prématurés dus au tabac pourraient être évités. Avec près d’un demi-million d’Américains mourant du tabagisme et plus de 300 milliards de dollars dépensés chaque année pour lutter contre les maladies liées au tabagisme, il est évident et urgent de procéder à des changements substantiels dans l’industrie du tabac.

22nd Century est prête à approvisionner le marché en tabac RNC et en produits finis tels que VLN® afin de permettre à la fois à 22nd Century et à d’autres fabricants de se conformer aux capsules de nicotine proposées aux États-Unis, en Nouvelle-Zélande et dans d’autres pays, alors qu’ils adoptent cette approche innovante et hautement efficace de réduction des effets nocifs du tabac initialement proposée par l’OMS en 2015. La technologie et les produits à base de plantes de 22nd Century sont supérieurs aux technologies d’extraction coûteuses et aux technologies de dénicotinisation similaires, car ces technologies utilisent généralement des produits chimiques qui éliminent non seulement la nicotine, mais également les composés de saveur et d’arôme, résultant en un produit qui a été jugé inacceptable pour les fumeurs car il ne procure aucune satisfaction de fumer. En revanche, le tabac à teneur réduite en nicotine de 22nd Century se développe naturellement avec de très faibles niveaux de nicotine, créant des produits qui se fument, ont le goût et l’odeur de cigarettes conventionnelles mais contiennent 95 % de nicotine en moins que les cigarettes conventionnelles hautement addictives. Ceci est essentiel pour créer une solution acceptable et une « rampe de sortie » pour les fumeurs actuels qui cherchent à changer leur relation avec la nicotine.

22nd Century reste déterminée à octroyer des licences pour sa technologie et ses produits à chaque fabricant afin de permettre la conformité à l’échelle de l’industrie avec les capsules de nicotine proposées.

À propos de 22nd Century Group, Inc.
22nd Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq : XXII) est une entreprise de biotechnologie agricole de premier plan axée sur la réduction des méfaits du tabac, la réduction du tabac à nicotine et l’amélioration de la santé et du bien-être grâce à la science des plantes. Avec des dizaines de brevets lui permettant de contrôler la biosynthèse de nicotine dans la plante de tabac, la société a développé des plantes de tabac et des cigarettes brevetées à teneur réduite en nicotine (RNC), qui sont devenues la pierre angulaire du Plan global de la FDA visant à lutter contre la mortalité et les maladies généralisées causées par le tabagisme. Dans les plantes de tabac, de chanvre/cannabis et les plants de houblon, 22nd Century utilise des technologies modernes de reproduction végétale, y compris le génie génétique, l’édition génique et la reproduction moléculaire, pour fournir des solutions aux industries des sciences de la vie et des produits de consommation en créant de nouvelles plantes brevetées avec un alcaloïde optimisé et des profils de flavonoïdes ainsi que des rendements améliorés et des traits agronomiques précieux.

Apprenez-en plus sur xxiicentury.com, sur Twitter @_xxiicentury, et sur LinkedIn.

Pour en savoir plus sur VLN®, rendez-vous sur tryvln.com.

Mise en garde concernant les déclarations prospectives
À l’exception des informations historiques, toutes les déclarations, attentes et hypothèses contenues dans ce communiqué de presse sont des déclarations prospectives. Les déclarations prospectives contiennent généralement des termes tels que « anticiper », « croire », « considérer », « continuer », « pourrait », « estimer », « s’attendre », « explorer », « prévoir », « objectif », « orientation », « avoir l’intention », « probable », « peut », « planifier », « potentiel », « prédire », « préliminaire », « probable », « projet », « prometteur », « chercher », « devrait », « sera », « voudrait » et des expressions similaires. Les résultats réels peuvent différer sensiblement de ceux explicites ou implicites dans ces déclarations prospectives. Les facteurs importants qui pourraient entraîner des écarts importants avec les résultats réels sont énoncés dans la section « Risk Factors » (Facteurs de risque) du rapport annuel de la société sur le formulaire 10-K déposé le 11 mars 2021. Toutes les informations fournies dans le présent communiqué de presse sont valables à la date du présent communiqué, et la société n’assume aucune obligation et n’a pas l’intention de mettre à jour ces déclarations prospectives, sauf si la loi l’exige.

Contact auprès des investisseurs et des médias :
Mei Kuo
Directrice des communications et des relations avec les investisseurs
22nd Century Group, Inc.
(716) 300-1221
mkuo@xxiicentury.com

Une photo accompagnant cette annonce est disponible à l’adresse https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f2454099-23c6-4b74-a46b-28fbb97124d5

FDA autoriza a comercialização do VLN® do 22nd Century Group como Produto de Tabaco de Risco Modificado

  • O VLN® é o primeiro e único cigarro combustível do mundo a receber a designação MRTP da FDA
  • FDA inclui a afirmação “Ajuda você a fumar menos” às afirmações solicitadas pela empresa
  • Cigarros VLN® com 95% de teor reduzido de nicotina a serem lançados nos EUA dentro de 90 dias
  • O VLN® será lançado fora dos EUA no primeiro trimestre de 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y., Dec. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — O 22nd Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: XXII), uma empresa líder em biotecnologia agrícola focada na redução de danos causados pelo tabaco, tabaco com baixo teor de nicotina e melhoria da saúde e bem-estar através da fitotecnologia moderna, anunciou hoje que a Food and Drug Administration dos EUA (FDA) autorizou a comercialização dos cigarros com baixo teor de nicotina VLN® King e VLN® Menthol King da empresa como produtos de tabaco de risco modificado (MRTPs). Ao fazer isso, a Agência descobriu que o VLN® – com fumaça, gosto e cheiro do cigarro convencional, mas com 95% menos nicotina do que os cigarros convencionais altamente viciantes – “ajuda a reduzir a exposição e o consumo de nicotina dos fumantes”.

“A decisão de hoje de autorizar a aplicação de MRTP do VLN® une a FDA e o 22nd Century na vanguarda de transformar a indústria do tabaco. Com 60% dos fumantes adultos da nossa pesquisa de mercado nos EUA nos dizendo que é provável que eles experimentem VLN®, este é um divisor de águas completo para o 22nd Century, a indústria do tabaco, a saúde pública e os fumantes adultos que procuram mudar sua relação com a nicotina – a substância química viciante encontrado em todos os produtos de tabaco. Este é o primeiro e, provavelmente, será o único cigarro combustível a ter a designação MRTP da FDA. A decisão da FDA de exigir a declaração adicional da afirmação “Ajuda você a fumar menos”, juntamente com a solicitada afirmação de “95% menos nicotina”, proporciona aos fumantes adultos um motivo claro para substituir o cigarro convencional e altamente viciante pelo VLN®”, disse James A. Mish, diretor executivo do 22nd Century Group.

“Nossa missão é encontrar maneiras de parar as doenças e mortes relacionadas ao tabaco. Três em cada quatro fumantes adultos querem parar de fumar e os dados sobre esses produtos mostram que eles podem ajudar os fumantes adultos viciados a fazer a transição para deixarem de fumar cigarros combustíveis altamente viciantes”, disse Mitch Zeller, J.D., diretor do Center for Tobacco Products da FDA. “Opções como essas dos produtos autorizados hoje, que contêm menos nicotina e são razoavelmente propensos a reduzir a dependência da nicotina, pode ajudar os fumantes adultos. Os fumantes adultos menos viciados em cigarros combustíveis provavelmente fumariam menos e estariam menos expostos a substâncias químicas nocivas que causam doenças e mortes relacionadas ao tabaco.”

“Com a obtenção da autorização de marketing da FDA, estamos prontos para lançar o VLN® com parceiros de varejo e de marketing selecionados nos nossos mercados-piloto nos EUA nos próximos 90 dias e nos primeiros mercados globais até o final do primeiro trimestre de 2022. Também estamos em discussões com parceiros adicionais de varejo, marketing e estratégicos para escalar as vendas do VLN® nos EUA e em outros países, inclusive por meio de um possível licenciamento da nossa tecnologia para facilitar a transição mais ampla da indústria para os produtos da RNC. Daremos mais detalhes sobre os parceiros estratégicos e a implantação do VLN® nos próximos meses”, disse Mish.

A FDA autorizou a comercialização do VLN® com as seguintes afirmações de MRTP:

  • “Ajuda você a fumar menos”.
  • “95% menos nicotina”.
  • “Ajuda você a reduzir o consumo de nicotina”.
  • “…Reduz muito o consumo de nicotina”.

A decisão da FDA de autorizar as afirmações de MRTP da Empresa e exigir a afirmação adicional de “Ajuda você a fumar menos” em cada embalagem e anúncio do VLN® onde qualquer uma das outras afirmações autorizadas também sejam usadas, teve por base um extenso conjunto de dezenas de estudos científicos e clínicos independentes sobre o uso de cigarro de tabaco de teor reduzido de nicotina (RNC) do 22nd Century. Esses estudos, financiados em grande parte pela FDA, pelo National Institutes of Health (NIH) e por outras agências governamentais federais dos EUA, bem como estudos financiados pelo 22nd Century, mostram que os fumantes que usam cigarros RNC – mesmo aqueles sem intenção de parar no início dos estudos – reduzem sua exposição e dependência à nicotina, fumam menos cigarros por dia, aumentam seu número de dias sem fumar e dobram suas tentativas de parar – todos com pouca ou nenhuma evidência de sintomas de abstinência de nicotina ou tabagismo compensatório.

No anúncio da sua decisão hoje, a FDA explicou: “Os dados também mostraram que é razoavelmente provável que o uso desses produtos reduza a dependência da nicotina, o que deve levar a reduções de longo prazo na exposição aos tóxicos relacionados ao tabagismo associados à morbidade e mortalidade, levando à redução do tabagismo. Estudos publicados indicam que a redução significativa do número de cigarros fumados por dia está associada ao menor risco de câncer de pulmão e morte, com maiores reduções de cigarros por dia, resultando em menor risco. Além disso, conforme exigido para autorização, a FDA descobriu que os pedidos tiveram por base a compreensão do consumidor sobre as alegações de que os cigarros VLN® contêm níveis muito mais baixos de nicotina do que outros cigarros.”

O VLN® também é o primeiro e único cigarro combustível a chegar ao mercado estando em conformidade com o limite de nicotina proposto pela FDA para cigarros convencionais no seu Plano Abrangente para Tabaco e Nicotina, bem como o recentemente proposto mandato de teor reduzido de nicotina da Nova Zelândia.

“Acreditamos que o anúncio de hoje da FDA seja uma indicação clara de que a FDA está avançando com seu Plano para lidar com os incríveis danos causados pelo tabagismo. Este plano inclui a autorização de produtos de tabaco menos tóxicos, como cigarros eletrônicos e outros produtos não combustíveis, juntamente com um limite máximo de 0,5 mg de nicotina por grama de tabaco nos produtos de tabaco combustíveis. Este nível de teor de nicotina que a FDA descreveu como sendo “minimamente ou não viciante”, já foi alcançado pelo 22nd Century nos seus produtos VLN®”, disse Mish.

A FDA reiterou no seu anúncio de hoje que está “comprometida em avançar com o processo de criação de regras para proibir o mentol como sabor caracterizante em cigarros e todos os sabores característicos em charutos, e está no caminho certo para emitir regras propostas em meados de 2022” e que os cigarros VLN® King e VLN® Menthol King “ podem ajudar os fumantes de cigarros viciados a reduzir o consumo de nicotina e o número de cigarros que fumam por dia.”

“Como a FDA também está tentando proibir o mentol em cigarros altamente viciantes, esperamos que a FDA permita que o nosso cigarro VLN® Menthol, que oferece pouco apelo para jovens e ex-fumantes devido ao seu teor reduzido de nicotina, sejam autorizados pela FDA a permanecer no mercado como uma rampa de saída para fumantes adultos de cigarros mentolados”, acrescentou Mish.

A decisão da FDA tem por base ainda pesquisas que projetam que um padrão de produto da indústria para redução do teor de nicotina nos cigarros a níveis mínimos ou não viciantes mudaria significativamente a trajetória do vício em cigarros, que é a principal causa de doenças e mortes evitáveis nos EUA. Aproximadamente cinco milhões de fumantes adultos desistiriam de fumar dentro de apenas um ano após a sua implementação, mais de 33 milhões de pessoas evitariam se tornar fumantes regulares e mais de oito milhões de mortes prematuras por tabaco poderiam ser evitadas. Com quase meio milhão de americanos morrendo de tabagismo e mais de US $ 300 bilhões gastos por ano com doenças relacionadas ao tabagismo, há uma necessidade clara e urgente de mudanças substanciais na indústria do tabaco.

O 22nd Century está pronto para fornecer ao mercado produtos de tabaco e acabados de RNC, como o VLN®, para permitir que tanto o 22nd Century quanto outros fabricantes estejam em conformidade com os limites de nicotina propostos nos EUA, Nova Zelândia e outros países, com a adoção dessa abordagem inovadora e altamente eficaz para a redução dos danos do tabaco, proposta pela OMS em 2015. A tecnologia e os produtos à base de plantas do 22nd Century são superiores a tecnologias caras de extração e de desnicotinização semelhantes porque essas tecnologias normalmente usam substâncias químicas que removem, além da nicotina, os compostos de sabor e aroma, resultando em um produto considerado inaceitável pelos fumantes não gostam do produto final. Por outro lado, o tabaco com teor reduzido de nicotina do 22nd Century cresce naturalmente com níveis muito baixos de nicotina, resultando em produtos com fumaça, gosto e cheiro de cigarro convencionais, porém com 95% menos nicotina do que os cigarros convencionais e altamente viciantes. Isso é fundamental para a criação de uma solução aceitável e de saída para os fumantes que estejam querendo mudar seu relacionamento com a nicotina.

O 22nd Century continua empenhado em licenciar sua tecnologia e produtos a todos os fabricantes para viabilizar a conformidade da indústria com os limites propostos para a nicotina.

Sobre o 22nd Century Group, Inc.
O 22nd Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: XXII) uma empresa líder em biotecnologia agrícola focada na redução de danos causados pelo tabaco, tabaco com baixo teor de nicotina e melhoria da saúde e bem-estar através da fitotecnologia moderna. Com dezenas de patentes para controle da biossíntese da nicotina na planta de tabaco, a Empresa desenvolveu plantas e cigarros proprietários de tabaco com teor reduzido de nicotina (RNC), que se tornaram a pedra angular do Plano Abrangente da FDA para abordar a morte e doenças generalizadas causadas pelo tabagismo. Nas plantas de tabaco, cânhamo/cannabis e lúpulo, o 22nd Century usa tecnologias modernas de aprimoramento das plantas, incluindo engenharia genética, edição genética e aprimoramento molecular para fornecer soluções para as indústrias de ciências da vida e produtos de consumo, criando plantas novas e proprietárias com perfis otimizados de alcaloides e flavonoides, bem como de rendimentos aprimorados e características agronômicas valiosas.

Saiba mais em xxiicentury.com, no Twitter @_xxiicentury, e LinkedIn.

Saiba mais sobre o VLN® em tryvln.com.

Nota de advertência sobre declarações de previsão
Com exceção das informações históricas, todas as declarações, expectativas e suposições contidas neste comunicado de imprensa são declarações de previsão. As declarações de previsão geralmente contêm termos como “antecipar”, “acreditar”, “considerar”, “continuar”, “poderia”, “estimar”, “esperar”, “explorar”, “prever”, “objetivo”, “orientação”, “pretende”, “provável”, “pode”, “planeja”, “potencial”, “prevê”, “preliminar”, “provável”, “projeto”, “promissor”, “busca”, “deve”, “vai”, “faria” e expressões semelhantes. Os resultados reais podem ser substancialmente diferentes dos resultados explícitos ou implícitos nas declarações de previsão. Fatores importantes que podem fazer com que os resultados reais sejam substancialmente diferentes podem ser encontrados nos “Fatores de Risco” do Relatório Anual da Empresa no Formulário 10-K protocolado em 11 de março de 2021. Todas as informações fornecidas nesta versão são válidas a partir da presente data e a Empresa não assume nenhuma obrigação e não pretende atualizar essas declarações de previsão, exceto conforme exigido por lei.

Relações com Investidores e Contato com a Mídia:
Mei Kuo
Diretor, Comunicações e Relações com Investidores
22nd Century Group, Inc.
(716) 300-1221
mkuo@xxiicentury.com

Foto deste comunicado disponível em https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f2454099-23c6-4b74-a46b-28fbb97124d5

Neolith Collaborates with Chef José Andrés Through His World Central Kitchen Foundation

CASTELLÓN, Spain, Dec. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Neolith will be celebrating Christmas with a charity initiative aimed at helping the world become a better place and contributing a little hope, excitement and future to the year beginning very soon and it is doing so on behalf of the great Neolith Family, which has shown a deep commitment to this idea.

It’s a social initiative that involves donating €32,950 to the foundation run by Spanish chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen, to collaborate in helping all the families affected by the volcanic eruption in La Palma who have lost their homes, their land and their businesses. Specifically, and due to Neolith’s strong ties to gastronomy, this sum will be used to set up resilient food supply systems, serving fresh food to the people impacted by the natural disaster at a time of immense importance.

For Chef José Andrés, “This pandemic has been and is a pandemic of not just a few, but rather everyone. It quickly taught us that we can only get out of it together. We have changed that thought of “there’s not much we can do” into “maybe we can do something”. In Spain, the eruption of the volcano in La Palma confirmed that only collective responsibility can overcome the great damage caused by a volcano.”

The sum donated to the Foundation is the amount the Neolith Christmas dinner and all related employee travel and expenses would have cost overall. “I feel proud to be surrounded by colleagues who show such sensitivity. This initiative has come from deep within and it’s our own little bit to assist the people in La Palma who have lost so much. We’d like to help them gradually get their hopes up again,” said José Luis Ramón, CEO of Neolith Group. “By donating this dinner and using the money it would have cost to help these families, each employee is demonstrating their own empathy.”

About Neolith

Founded in 2009, Neolith is the world’s leading Sintered Stone brand. It’s a revolutionary and innovative architectural surface with superior technical characteristics made of 100% all-natural raw materials.

Uber, Electric Vehicle Group Partner to Deploy Electric Motorcycles Across Africa in 2022

NAIROBI — Just as in most cities across Africa, motorcycle taxi drivers are in almost every corner of Nairobi. Josephat Mutiso is among the first drivers here to make the switch from fossil fuel to electric motorcycles, thanks to a partnership between Uber and Opibus.

“This is way efficient,” he said. “It is even way easier to ride than the other one. You see, this one you don’t have so ma”ny controls, you just have the throttle, no clutch. The only thing you are focusing on is just the front brake and the rear brake. That way it gives you even more control of the bike. And it is pretty light, it does not vibrate. So even clients like this one better.”

Motorcycle taxis have become increasingly common as public transportation in cities across Africa.

Joyce Msuya, the deputy executive director of UNEP, the U.N. Environmental Program, notes that motorcycle taxis have become increasingly common as public transportation in cities across Africa.

“The number of newly registered motorcycles, commonly used as taxis or boda boda, was estimated in 2018 at 1.5 million and will likely grow to five million by 2030,” she said. “Most are inefficient, poorly maintained and heavily polluting. UNEP’s study shows that boda boda drivers can more than double their income if they make the switch.”

In March, the U.N. Environment Program launched the first electric bikes project in Kenya, creating the momentum for Africa’s shift to electric mobility. The partnership between Uber and Opibus seeks to accelerate that shift.

“We are just excited to get as many people exposed to the new technology that we built as possible so they know there is an option,” said Alex Pitkin, the chief technology officer at Opibus. “Uber provides, obviously, a lot of boda boda riders, that’s our target client. They often don’t know how beneficial electric motorcycles can be in terms of money-saving, safety, fuel savings, maintenance savings, you know that kind of thing. And longevity of the product as well, they don’t know that.”

Across the world, there is a shift toward electric vehicles due to rising pollution and climate-damaging emissions from vehicles.

The African continent has not been left behind in that movement.

“Targeting Africa and African countries is also part of that movement and as Opibus, that is where we are targeting,” said Lucy Mugala, an engineer at Opibus. “We want all of us to move together. We all move towards a greener energy, a greener economy. And we can only do that if we all come together and empower and build capacity locally.”

Mutiso says he is earning more money now.

“Everything I used to earn and save for the maintenance of the bike,” he said. “Right now I’m saving it. So right now, I’m making more.”

Experts say that a global move to electric mobility is essential to the future and that drivers like Mutiso will benefit.

Source: Voice of America

Learn.net: the product of Beautiful Minds

Krubiel and Natnael are teenage brothers who have developed soft¬ware at a young age. Their mentor and teacher, Yacob Merhawi, who is amazed by how quickly they make things, describes them as great teenagers Eritrea is blessed with. What they have created is an essential step toward Eritrea’s digital education.

• Thank you for your time, so let’s get to know you.

My name is Natnael Henok. I am 15 years old, a 10th grader at Keih Bahri Secondary School.

My name is Krubiel Henok. I am 13 years old and learning in seventh grade at Freselam Junior- Secondary School.

• You guys are the founders of Learn.net and other many projects. Enlighten us on your projects?

• Krubiel: Learn.net is a network software that aims to connect, elevate, and entertain and, above all, to create a platform for students and the young, in general, to gain knowledge. We started developing it on the 5th of January, 2021 and completed the project last May. The current version of Learn.net is a suite package encompassing different web applications. The apps included are: Book Store, App Bank, Educational Videos, Educational Games, Ask How, Creativity Centre, Cyclone, Invent Box, Emergency Toolkit, Music Web, Life Tips, Quote Chart, What’s New and Wikipedia. Also, Learn.net is made available in two languages — English and Tigrigna. When we noticed that many students these days have access to Android phones, we made sure Learn.net has its own Mobile Phone Application compatible with Android OS to help users connect to a server without any browsing app.

• Our other project is the School Database Control (SDC), a web that enables a school to access its data digitally. We observed some technical errors in the database control system that is currently used by the Ministry of Education and set out to create a better version.

Natnael: Besides developing webs, we have created mobile phone apps. One of the apps is called Hagery; it’s a compilation of 15 poems by the famous poet, Awel Sied. The other app is Eri-Wallpapers; we collected many old and new photos of different sites in Eritrea and made an app that allows you to make them your phone’s wallpaper. Qenietat Tigrigna is our third app; it’s based on the book written in 1994 by Berhane Zerai. We thought of it as a game; it’s about sentences and words that have double meanings. It intrigues, informs and entertains users. We have two apps still in development — one is called Saida, the Tigrigna version of an app called Flow. It’s made particularly for pregnant women. The other app still in the making is a compilation of Abraham Afworki songs, including the lyrics. We believe he is a legend and his work should be made more accessible and preserved for posterity.

• What inspired you to create those projects?

Natnael: The main thing that inspired us to develop Learn.net is the limitations of analog tools and resources of connectivity and interactivity that we witnessed. We wanted to accomplish an innovative digital learning, mentoring, and informal learning experience through our web. We also wanted to ensure that all young people, whatever their background, are able to thrive and use their potential. Above all, we wanted everyone to have easy access to educational materials.

Krubiel: The reason we developed those apps is that they seemed very essential to our community. For example, we got inspired to build the app Hagery because almost everyone around us was collecting the videos of the poet. Imagine how much space that could take and the time and energy you spend to search for each and every poem. So, we decided to collect them all and make them available to everyone.

• Your skills are very visible in your products, which seem to have been built by a computer engineer. How were you able to achieve that?

Krubiel: When I was in the fourth grade I enrolled in a basic programming class. Then Natnael joined me shortly after. We did the four levels of the course and then proceeded to Robotics. But it was when we were in partial lockdown due to Covid-19 that we developed our skills further. We studied other programming languages, watched tutorials on video and our mother provided us with the books we needed. To showcase our capabilities, we made our first software based on our dad’s request. The software we developed was inventory report controlling software for the Ministry of Finance.

• Speaking of your father, introduce us to your parents and their role in your journey?

Krubiel: Our father, Henok Kudus, works at the Ministry of Finance. and our mother, Seble Haile, is a microbiology instructor at the Institute of Technology at Mainefhi. Our parents’ role has been crucial. Since we were kids they have bought us laptops and every gadget we have needed. They have been very supportive and give us the freedom to try whatever we want to. When we learned how to program they were the ones who came up with the ideas of what to create, and if we have an idea they are the first to evaluate it. Overall, they have been our cornerstone in this journey.

• What obstacles have you faced?

Natnael: Our main obstacle has been Covid-19. For the websites to be usable we needed to do Meta tests, especially Learn.net, which was meant to be tested on students and we couldn’t accomplish that. Also, society’s knowledge about digital education is so low we need a platform to advertise and inform people on the importance of the web, and we have not attained the platform until now. Of course, as we said our parents do their best to provide us with the resources we need but sometimes we do face a scarcity of resources.

• Any other message?

We want to thank our parents, our mentors, Eng. Sham Mesfin for his guidance in every step, our uncle, Eng. Henok Haile, and our teacher, Yacob Merhawi, for tirelessly working with us on the mobile applications we are creating.

• Thank you and good luck!

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

Cameroon Military Tribunal Jails 47 Opposition Activists for Planned Protests

YAOUNDE, CAMEROON — A military tribunal in Cameroon this week sentenced 47 opposition party members to between one and seven years in jail for rebellion and attempted insurrection. Police arrested the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, or MRC, supporters in September 2020 while they were planning protests against the 40-year-rule of President Paul Biya.

More than 20 supporters of the opposition Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) on Wednesday morning stood in front of MRC leader Maurice Kamto’s house.

They told a reporter they are waiting to hear from Kamto after a Yaoundé military tribunal this week sentenced 47 of his supporters to up to seven years in jail.

The tribunal on Monday and Tuesday sentenced the 47 opposition party members to between one and seven years in jail for attempted insurrection.

The MRC party’s spokesperson, treasurer, coordinator, and president of the women’s wing were among those given seven-year terms.

41-year-old bread seller Emmanuel Koanye was among those condemning the prison terms.

He says it is very wrong and abnormal for authorities, who claim they are democratic, to order the arrest and sentencing of people who simply expressed their democratic opinions. Koanye says they are expecting Maurice Kamto, head of the MRC party, to give directives on what should be done to press for the release of the jailed opposition supporters.

Cameroonian police arrested the opposition members in September 2020 while they were planning protests against President Paul Biya’s long stay in power.

Biya has ruled Cameroon for four decades, making him Africa’s second longest ruling leader.

Kamto claims he won the October 2018 presidential election in Cameroon and that Biya stole his victory.

More than 500 civilians who protested the crackdown also were arrested.

The MRC says more than 120 are still being held in prisons across Cameroon.

When contacted by VOA, MRC officials refused to comment on this week’s sentencing of their members.

President of the opposition United Socialist Democratic Party (USDP) Prince Ekosso witnessed the military tribunal’s sentencing.

Ekosso says the ruling shows that Biya will crush opponents to maintain his grip on power.

“It is so disturbing that in Cameroon laws are made to suit the caprices of individuals, to carry out intimidation and arbitrary arrests and sentencing of individuals,” Ekosso said. “Laws are supposed to be made to protect the individuals, to protect the citizens, and to help those citizens to emancipate.”

The USDP and MRC have been pressing for a change in Cameroon’s electoral code, which the opposition parties say favors President Biya.

MRC leader Kamto said they plan to mobilize supporters to protest peacefully for electoral reforms in Cameroon from January 9.

Cameroon is hosting the month-long Africa Football Cup of Nations, the continent’s premier soccer tournament, from January 9.

Cameroon’s territorial administration minister Paul Atanga Nji says authorities will not allow protests to release jailed opposition leaders or change the electoral code.

Nji says Cameroon will not tolerate the disorder the government is aware MRC supporters, and their leader Maurice Kamto, are planning. He says any MRC supporters and leaders who attempt to violate Cameroonian’s laws will be arrested and face charges in court.

Rights group Amnesty International accuses the Biya government of relentless repression of opposition members.

In January 2019, authorities detained Kamto and several hundred of his supporters for insisting that Biya stole the 2018 presidential election.

International pressure led Biya to pardon Kamto, but only after he had spent nine months in prison.

Source: Voice of America