Expansion in 2026 Forecasted to Exceed 5,000 Retail Outlets Nationwide as Consumers Demonstrate Interest in VLN® Brands VLN® Remains the Only FDA-Authorized Combustible Cigarette Designed to Reduce Nicotine Consumption MOCKSVILLE, N.C., Feb. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 22nd Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: XXII), a tobacco products company focused on reducing the harms of smoking through nicotine reduction, today announced continued early sales momentum for its VLN® low nicotine cigarette products in the U.S. ...

FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 20, 2026 22nd Century Group, Inc. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Nevada 001-36338 98-0468420 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 321 Farmington Rd., Mocksville, North Carolina 27028 (Address of ...

Core Insights - 22nd Century Group, Inc. ended 2025 with $7.1 million in cash and is debt-free, which supports its transition to growth [1][5] - The company is focusing on the commercial expansion of its VLN brand, which is expected to drive a shift towards higher-margin proprietary branded products [1][3] Preliminary Financial Results - The company anticipates fourth quarter 2025 net revenues of approximately $3.6 million, down from $4.0 million in the third quarter of 2025 [5] - For the full year 2025, net revenues are expected to be around $17.6 million, a decrease from $24.4 million in 2024 [5] - Total cartons shipped in the fourth quarter 2025 were approximately 0.3 million, compared to 0.5 million in the third quarter of 2025 [5] - The expected gross loss for the fourth quarter 2025 is approximately $0.8 million, an improvement from $1.1 million in the third quarter [5] - The expected operating loss for 2025 is $11.6 million, down from $14.0 million in 2024 [5] - Cash and equivalents at year-end were $7.1 million, with zero long-term debt after extinguishing remaining senior secured debt in 2025 [5] Strategic Focus - The company aims to expand VLN product distribution and consumer awareness while maintaining disciplined cost management and capital allocation [3] - The groundwork for growth is being laid following the fourth quarter launch of VLN and Partner VLN brands [3] - The company remains engaged with the FDA and public health stakeholders to drive health and wellness initiatives for smokers [3]

Group 1 - The consumer staples sector has identified oversold stocks, presenting potential buying opportunities for undervalued companies [1] - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a key momentum indicator, with stocks considered oversold when the RSI is below 30 [1] Group 2 - Major oversold stocks in the sector include Instacart (NASDAQ:CART), Coffee Holding Co., Inc. (NASDAQ:JVA), and 22nd Century Group Inc (NASDAQ:XXII) [2] - Instacart's stock has decreased approximately 18% over the past month, with a current RSI value of 29.3 and a 52-week low of $34.78 [3] - Stifel analyst Mark Kelley has maintained a Buy rating on Instacart, lowering the price target from $49 to $46, while the stock closed at $37.08 [3]

Group 1 - The consumer staples sector has identified oversold stocks, presenting potential buying opportunities for undervalued companies [1] - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a momentum indicator used to assess stock performance, with an RSI below 30 indicating that a stock is typically considered oversold [1] Group 2 - Major oversold stocks in the consumer staples sector include Instacart (NASDAQ:CART), Coffee Holding Co., Inc. (NASDAQ:JVA), and 22nd Century Group Inc (NASDAQ:XXII) [2] - Instacart's stock has decreased approximately 18% over the past month, with a current RSI value of 29.3 and a 52-week low of $34.78 [3] - Stifel analyst Mark Kelley has maintained a Buy rating on Instacart, lowering the price target from $49 to $46, while the stock closed at $37.08 after a 2% decline [3]

Core Insights - 2025 was a pivotal year for 22nd Century Group, marking the end of a multi-year restructuring and the beginning of strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening its leadership in tobacco harm reduction [1][5] Tobacco Harm Reduction - The company is committed to leading the tobacco harm reduction movement through science-based innovation and responsible commercialization of reduced nicotine content combustibles [2] - The proprietary VLN reduced-nicotine cigarette platform is the only combustible cigarette authorized by the FDA as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product, containing approximately 95% less nicotine than conventional cigarettes [3][9] Consumer Feedback and Market Response - Early feedback from consumers indicates positive reception of VLN products, with some reporting significant reductions in cigarette consumption, including one individual who reduced consumption by approximately 66% in just 12 weeks [4] Strategic and Operational Progress - The company has made significant progress in executing its strategic priorities, focusing on sustainable profitability and improving its long-term financial outlook [5] - Transitioning to higher-margin branded products, expanding VLN product distribution to nearly 2,000 retail locations across over 20 states, and implementing cost-reduction initiatives have contributed to operational efficiency [7] Regulatory Landscape - The FDA proposed a rule to establish a maximum nicotine content for cigarettes, which could reshape the combustible tobacco market and aligns with the company's focus on reduced-nicotine products [8] - The VLN products are specifically designed to meet low nicotine thresholds, supported by scientific research and FDA authorization, highlighting the strategic relevance of the company's harm-reduction platform [9] Outlook for 2026 - As the company enters 2026, it aims to leverage regulatory momentum, consumer awareness, and its differentiated product portfolio to create long-term value [10]

Core Viewpoint - 22nd Century Group, Inc. is a leader in nicotine harm reduction in the tobacco industry, focusing on helping smokers manage their nicotine consumption through innovative products [3][4]. Group 1: Company Overview - 22nd Century Group is recognized as a pioneering company in the tobacco sector, dedicated to reducing the harms associated with smoking and nicotine addiction [3]. - The company has developed the VLN® cigarette, which contains 95% less nicotine than traditional cigarettes, providing smokers with a familiar option to control their nicotine intake [4][5]. Group 2: Product Details - The VLN® cigarette is designed to help smokers significantly reduce their nicotine consumption while maintaining an authentic smoking experience [4]. - The proprietary non-GMO reduced nicotine tobacco blends are created using patented technologies that regulate nicotine biosynthesis, ensuring full flavor and high yield with significantly lower nicotine content [5]. Group 3: Upcoming Events - The management team, including CEO Larry Firestone and CFO Dan Otto, will present at the Needham Growth Conference on January 16, 2026, and will be available for virtual one-on-one meetings [1].

Core Viewpoint - 22nd Century Group, Inc. is advancing the fight against smoking-related health harms through its VLN reduced nicotine content products, which have been authorized by the FDA as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product [1][4]. Group 1: Product and Market Impact - The VLN reduced nicotine content cigarettes have been shown to lower daily nicotine consumption by 40% over 12 weeks in a study with over 400 participants, indicating their potential to reduce smoking rates and increase quit attempts [2]. - Approximately 28.8 million smokers in the U.S. contribute to over $600 billion in annual healthcare costs related to tobacco harm, highlighting the significant market opportunity for VLN products [2]. - VLN cigarettes contain 95% less nicotine than conventional cigarettes, providing a non-addictive alternative for smokers [3][10]. Group 2: Regulatory and Strategic Developments - The FDA originally authorized VLN combustible cigarettes in December 2021 for a five-year period, with a renewal application filed for December 2026 [3]. - The company is expanding its range of VLN branded products and tobacco plant varieties to offer smokers more low-nicotine alternatives, aligning with the FDA's proposed guidelines for low nicotine [5]. - The renewal process is part of the company's ongoing research and development efforts to advance reduced nicotine content in tobacco and introduce additional VLN products [5]. Group 3: Company Vision and Leadership - The CEO of 22nd Century Group emphasized that the FDA's MRTP authorization for VLN cigarettes represents a forward-thinking approach to reducing smoking-related health harms, focusing on behavioral and social aspects of nicotine addiction [4]. - The company aims to empower smokers to take control of their nicotine consumption through its innovative VLN products, positioning itself as a leader in the tobacco harm reduction movement [8][9].

Summary of 22nd Century Group Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: 22nd Century Group (Ticker: XXII) - **Industry**: Tobacco harm reduction - **Focus**: Pioneering nicotine harm reduction products, specifically VLN (Very Low Nicotine) branded products aimed at reducing nicotine addiction among smokers [1][2] Core Points and Arguments - **Transition Phase**: The company is moving from a debt-laden turnaround phase to a product launch and growth phase, indicating a positive shift in business strategy [2] - **Nicotine Epidemic**: The CEO highlighted a global nicotine epidemic, comparing its scale to the COVID pandemic, emphasizing the need for effective nicotine reduction solutions [2][4] - **Product Offering**: The VLN cigarette is presented as a solution to nicotine addiction, allowing smokers to reduce their nicotine intake while maintaining the smoking ritual [4][6] - **Target Market**: The company targets the 70% of the 28.8 million U.S. smokers who wish to quit, equating to approximately 20.5 million potential customers [5][8] - **Unique Selling Proposition**: Unlike traditional nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), VLN products allow smokers to adjust their nicotine consumption without losing the smoking experience, which is crucial for habit change [6][8] Business Developments - **Inventory and Distribution**: Initial store inventories are being loaded, with some stores already reordering products. The company is also exploring cross-marketing opportunities [7][8] - **Financial Position**: The company is now debt-free and has received a $9.5 million insurance settlement, providing sufficient cash to sustain operations into 2026 [9][12] - **Growth Strategy**: The focus is on moving away from low-margin contract manufacturing operations to more profitable branded products [9] International Expansion - **South Korea Market**: Plans for a rollout in South Korea are currently on hold until the U.S. market is fully optimized [10] Marketing and Customer Acquisition - **Cost Efficiency**: Customer acquisition costs are low, primarily involving retail placement and minimal marketing expenses. The company is implementing promotional strategies to encourage product trials [13] Future Outlook - **Break-even Target**: The company aims to break even in the first half of 2026, with expectations of covering cash flow by that time [12] Additional Notes - **Website Functionality**: The company’s website (tryvln.com) is operational and provides updated information on product availability [11] - **CEO's Closing Remarks**: The CEO expressed optimism for the future and gratitude towards shareholders, indicating a positive outlook for 2026 [15]

Core Insights - 22nd Century Group, Inc. is a leader in the tobacco harm reduction movement, focusing on reducing nicotine addiction through innovative products [3][4]. Company Announcement - The CEO, Larry Firestone, will present at the Emerging Growth Virtual Investor Conference on December 10, 2025, at 3:55 PM Eastern Time [1]. Technology and Products - The company has developed proprietary non-GMO reduced nicotine tobacco plants that contain 95% less nicotine than traditional tobacco [4]. - The flagship product, VLN cigarette, is designed to provide traditional smokers with a familiar alternative while significantly reducing nicotine consumption [5]. - VLN cigarettes are the only low nicotine combustible cigarettes authorized by the FDA in the United States [6]. Investor Engagement - Investors can register for the conference online and submit questions in advance for consideration during the event [2]. - An archived webcast will be available for those unable to attend live [2]. Contact Information - Investor relations contact is Matt Kreps, reachable at investorrelations@xxiicentury.com or by phone at 214-597-8200 [8][9].