Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-271217
PROSPECTUS
22nd Century
Group, Inc.
5,675,000 Shares of Common Stock Issuable Upon Exercise of
Warrants
This prospectus relates to the resale, from time to time, of up to
5,675,000 shares (the “Shares”) of our common stock, $0.00001 par
value per share (“Common Stock”), by the selling stockholders
identified in this prospectus under the section “Selling
Stockholders” (the “Selling Stockholders”). The Shares covered by
this prospectus consist of 5,675,000 shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of warrants to purchase Common Stock issued
to the Selling Stockholders in a private placement as described in
this propsectus (the “Warrants”).
On March 3, 2023, 22nd Century Group, Inc. (the “Company”)
consummated the closing of a private placement of Company
debentures and warrants (the “Private Placement”), pursuant to the
terms and conditions of the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated
March 3, 2023 (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”), by and among
the Company and certain accredited investors (the “Purchasers”).
Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, we granted certain
registration rights to the Purchasers with respect to the Shares
issuable upon exercise of their Warrants. The aggregate gross
proceeds to the Company from the Private Placement were
approximately $20,000,000, before deducting offering expenses
payable by the Company. In connection with the Private Placement,
on March 3, 2023, we also entered into a Subordinated Promissory
Note and a Warrant agreement with an existing lender (the
“Lender”). See “Private Placement of Securities and Warrant.” We
will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the
Selling Stockholders under this prospectus. We will, however,
receive proceeds from any portion of the Warrants that are
exercised through the payment of their respective exercise price in
cash. We intend to use the proceeds, if any, for general corporate
purposes. The Selling Stockholders will bear all commissions and
discounts, if any, attributable to the sale of the Shares. We will
bear all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the
registration of the Shares.
The Selling Stockholders may offer such shares from time to time as
they may determine through public or private transactions or
through other means described in the section entitled “Plan of
Distribution” at prevailing market prices, at prices related to
prevailing market prices or at privately negotiated prices. This
prospectus does not necessarily mean that the Selling Stockholders
will offer or sell the Shares. We cannot predict when or in what
amounts the Selling Stockholders may sell any of the Shares offered
by this prospectus. Any shares of Common Stock subject to resale
hereunder will have been issued by us and acquired by the Selling
Stockholders prior to any resale of such shares pursuant to this
prospectus.
You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any
related free writing prospectus or amendment thereto carefully, as
well as any documents incorporated by reference, before you invest
in any of the securities being offered.
Our Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the
symbol “XXII.” The last reported sale price of the common stock on
April 6, 2023 was $0.72 per share.
Investing in our securities involves risk. Please read carefully
the section entitled “Risk Factors” on Page 7 of this prospectus
and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus
supplement and/or other offering material concerning factors you
should consider before investing in our securities which may be
offered hereby.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The date of this prospectus is April 27, 2023.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using
a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration
process, the Selling Stockholders may, from time to time, offer and
sell the Shares described in this prospectus in one or more
offerings. Information about the Selling Stockholders may change
over time. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of
our Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders under this prospectus,
although we will receive proceeds from any portion of the Warrants
that are exercised through the payment of their respective exercise
price in cash.
We may also file a prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus
forms a part that may contain material information relating to
these offerings. The prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment may also add, update, or change information contained in
this prospectus with respect to that offering. If there is any
inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the
applicable prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment, you
should rely on the prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment, as applicable. Before purchasing any securities, you
should carefully read this prospectus, any post-effective
amendment, and any applicable prospectus supplement, together with
the additional information described under the heading “Where
You Can Find More Information” and “Information Incorporated
by Reference.”
Neither we nor the Selling Stockholders have authorized anyone to
provide you with any information or to make any representations
other than those contained in or incorporated by reference into
this prospectus, any post-effective amendment, or any applicable
prospectus supplement prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we
have referred you. We and the Selling Stockholders take no
responsibility for and can provide no assurance as to the
reliability of any other information that others may give you. The
Selling Stockholders will not make an offer to sell these
securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not
permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this
prospectus, any post-effective amendment and any applicable
prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate only as of the
date on its respective cover. Our business, financial condition,
results of operations and prospects may have changed since those
dates. This prospectus contains, and any post-effective amendment
or any prospectus supplement may contain, market data and industry
statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry
publications and other publicly available information. We believe
this information is reliable as of the applicable date of its
publication, however, we have not independently verified the
accuracy or completeness of the information included in or
assumptions relied on in these third-party publications. In
addition, the market and industry data and forecasts that may be
included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any
post-effective amendment or any prospectus supplement may involve
estimates, assumptions and other risks and uncertainties and are
subject to change based on various factors, including those
discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this
prospectus, any post-effective amendment, the applicable prospectus
supplement and otherwise incorporated by reference herein.
Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this
information.
We own or have rights to trademarks, trade names and service marks
that we use in connection with the operation of our business. In
addition, ourname, logos and website name and address are our
trademarks or service marks. Solely for convenience, in some cases,
the trademarks, trade names and service marks referred to in this
prospectus are listed without the applicable ®, ™ and SM symbols,
but we will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our
rights to these trademarks, trade names and service marks. Other
trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this
prospectus are the property of their respective owners.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING
“FORWARD-LOOKING” INFORMATION
This registration statement and the information incorporated by
reference herein include “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included
or incorporated by reference herein regarding our expectations,
beliefs, plans, objectives, prospects, financial condition,
assumptions or future events are forward-looking statements. You
can identify these statements by words such as “aim,” “anticipate,”
“assume,” “believe,” “could,” “due,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,”
“intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “potential,” “positioned,”
“predict,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and other similar
expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and
future trends. These forward-looking statements are based on
current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about
our business and the industry in which we operate and our
management’s beliefs and assumptions. These statements are not
guarantees of future performance or development and involve known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are in some
cases beyond our control. All forward-looking statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to
differ materially from those that we expected, including the
following summary of risk factors:
|
· |
We have had a history of losses
and negative cash flows, and we may be unable to achieve and
sustain profitability and positive cash flows from
operations. |
|
· |
Our competitors generally have,
and any future competitors may have, greater financial resources
and name recognition than we do, and they may therefore develop
products or other technologies similar or superior to ours, or
otherwise compete more successfully than we do. |
|
· |
Our research and development
process may not develop marketable products, which would result in
loss of our investment into such process. |
|
· |
Our ability to successfully
integrate the operations of GVB Biopharma into ours and achieve the
expected synergies with the acquired business. |
|
· |
We may acquire or invest in other
companies, which may divert our management’s attention, result in
additional dilution to our stockholders, and consume resources that
are necessary to sustain our business or result in
losses. |
|
· |
The coronavirus pandemic
(COVID-19) or another pandemic may cause a variety of business
disruptions and future business risks. |
|
· |
The failure of our information
systems to function as intended or their penetration by outside
parties with the intent to corrupt them could result in business
disruption, litigation and regulatory action, and loss of revenue,
assets, or personal or confidential data
(cybersecurity). |
|
· |
We may be unsuccessful at
commercializing our Very Low Nicotine Content “VLNC” tobacco as a
Modified Exposure Cigarette. |
|
· |
The manufacturing of tobacco
products subjects us to significant governmental regulation and the
failure to comply with such regulations could have a material
adverse effect on our business and subject us to substantial fines
or other regulatory actions. |
|
· |
We may become subject to
litigation related to cigarette smoking and/or exposure to
environmental tobacco smoke, or ETS, which could severely impair
our results of operations and liquidity. |
|
· |
The loss of a significant
customer for whom we manufacture tobacco products could have an
adverse impact on our results of operation. |
|
· |
Product liability claims, product
recalls, or other claims could cause us to incur losses or damage
our reputation. |
|
· |
The FDA could force the removal
of our products from the U.S. market. |
|
· |
Negative press from being in the
hemp/cannabis space could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition, and results of
operations. |
|
· |
Any business-related cannabinoid
production is dependent on laws pertaining to the hemp/cannabis
industry. |
|
· |
Certain of our proprietary rights
have expired or may expire or may not otherwise adequately protect
our intellectual property, products and potential products, and if
we cannot obtain adequate protection of our intellectual property,
products and potential products, we may not be able to successfully
market our products and potential products. |
|
· |
We license certain patent rights
from third-party owners. If such owners do not properly maintain or
enforce the patents underlying such licenses, our competitive
position and business prospects could be harmed. |
|
· |
Our stock price may be highly
volatile and could decline in value. |
|
· |
We are a named defendant in
certain litigation matters, including federal securities class
action lawsuits and derivative complaints; if we are unable to
resolve these matters favorably, then our business, operating
results and financial condition may be adversely
affected. |
|
· |
Future sales of our common stock
will result in dilution to our common stockholders. |
|
· |
We do not expect to declare any
dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable
future. |
You also should carefully review the risk factors and cautionary
statements described in the other documents we file or furnish from
time to time with the SEC, including our Annual Reports on Form
10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form
8-K. The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus and
any other offering material, or in the documents incorporated by
reference into this prospectus and any other offering material, are
made only as of the date of the prospectus and any other offering
material or the incorporated document.
We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking
statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
Prospectus Summary
The following summary highlights basic information about us,
this offering, and selected information contained elsewhere in or
incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. This
summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information
that you should consider before deciding whether to invest in our
common stock. You should review this entire prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus carefully, including our
consolidated financial statements and other information
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus, before making an investment decision. In
addition, please read the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page
7 of this prospectus supplement.
Overview
22nd Century Group, Inc. is a
leading biotechnology company focused on utilizing advanced
alkaloid plant technologies to improve health and wellness with
reduced nicotine tobacco, hemp/cannabis and hops. We use modern
plant breeding technologies, including genetic engineering,
gene-editing, and molecular breeding to deliver solutions for the
consumer goods and pharmaceutical industries by creating new,
proprietary plants with optimized alkaloid and flavonoid profiles
as well as improved yields and valuable agronomic traits. Our
mission in tobacco products is dedicated to reduce the harms of
smoking by commercializing our proprietary, very low nicotine
content (“VLNC”) tobacco plants and cigarette products. We received
the first and only Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) Modified
Risk Tobacco Product (“MRTP”) authorization of a combustible
cigarette in December 2021. Beginning in April 2022, we
launched our proprietary VLN® reduced nicotine
cigarettes, first through a pilot program conducted in select
Circle K stores in and around Chicago, Illinois. Following our
successful pilot program, we initiated an ongoing state-by-state,
region-by-region rollout strategy.
Our mission in hemp/cannabis
is to develop and monetize proprietary varieties of hemp with
valuable cannabinoid and terpene profiles and other superior
agronomic traits. We are a global scale provider of cannabinoid
ingredients and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (“API”), as well
as a contract development and manufacturing organization
(“CDMO”) provider of hemp-derived consumer products.
In hops, our mission is to
leverage our experience with tobacco and hemp/cannabis, a close hop
plant relative, to accelerate the development of proprietary
specialty hop varieties with valuable traits, for potential
applications in life sciences and consumer products.
We have a significant
intellectual property portfolio of issued patents and patent
applications relating to both tobacco and hemp/cannabis plants and
have further resources directed towards creating and securing
additional intellectual property pertaining to all three
franchises. We continue to prioritize research and development
activities to achieve our strategic and investment
priorities.
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2022 and the subsequent reports filed pursuant to
the Exchange Act provide additional information about our business,
operations and financial condition.
Corporate Information
We are a Nevada corporation and our corporate headquarters is
located at 500 Seneca Street, Suite 507, Buffalo, New York
14204. Our telephone number is (716) 270-1523. Our internet address
is www.xxiicentury.com. We do not incorporate the information on
our website into this prospectus supplement, and you should not
consider it to be a part of this prospectus supplement or the
accompanying prospectus. Our web site address is included as an
inactive textual reference only.
Private Placement of Securities and Warrants (“Private
Placement”)
Securities Purchase Agreement
On March 3, 2023, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase
Agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with each of the
purchasers party thereto (each, including its successors and
assigns, a “Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”) and JGB
Collateral, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as
collateral agent for the Purchasers (the “Agent”). Pursuant to the
Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to sell to the
Purchasers (i) 7% Original Issue Discount Senior Secured Debentures
(the “Debentures”) with an aggregate principal amount of
$21,052,632 and (ii) warrants to purchase up to 5,000,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the
“Common Stock”), for an exercise price of $1.275 per share, a 50%
premium to the VWAP on the closing date (the “JGB Warrants”),
subject to adjustments as set forth in the JGB Warrants, for a
total purchase price of $20,000,000. The JGB Warrants are
exercisable beginning on September 3, 2023 and expire on September
3, 2028. The Securities Purchase Agreement contains customary
representations, warranties and covenants.
Omnia Subordinated Promissory Note and Warrant
On March 3, 2023, the Company executed a Subordinated Promissory
Note (the “Subordinated Note”) with a principal amount of
$2,864,767 in favor of Omnia Ventures, LP (the “Lender” and
together with the Purchasers, the “Selling Stockholders”). The
Subordinated Note refinanced the 12% Secured Promissory Note with a
principal amount of $1,000,000 dated as of October 29, 2021 payable
to the Lender and the 12% Secured Promissory Note with a principal
amount of $1,500,000 dated as of January 14, 2022 payable to the
Lender.
In connection with the Subordinated Note, the Company issued to
Omnia, warrants to purchase up to 675,000 shares of the Company’s
Common Stock (the “Omnia Warrant” and together with the JGB
Warrants, the “Warrants”) for an exercise price of $0.855 per
share, subject to adjustments as set forth in the Omnia Warrant.
The Omnia Warrant is exercisable beginning on September 3, 2023 and
expires on September 3, 2028.
For more information see the section entitled “Private Placement
of Securities and Warrants.”
The Offering
Issuer |
|
22nd Century
Group, Inc. |
|
|
|
Shares of Common Stock offered
by the Selling Stockholders |
|
Up to 5,675,000 shares (the
“Shares”). |
|
|
|
Shares of Common Stock
outstanding prior to this offering |
|
215,704,036 shares as of March 1,
2023 |
|
|
|
Use of
proceeds |
|
We will not receive any proceeds
from the resale of the Shares by the Selling Stockholders in this
offering. We will, however, receive proceeds from any portion of
the Warrants that are exercised through the payment of their
respective exercise price in cash. For additional information,
refer to the section entitled “Use of Proceeds.” |
|
|
|
Terms of this
offering |
|
The Selling Stockholders may
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of the Shares
offered by this prospectus from time to time on Nasdaq or any other
stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the Shares are
traded, or in private transactions. Th Shares may be offered and
sold or otherwise disposed of by the Selling Stockholders at fixed
prices, market prices prevailing at the time of sale, prices
related to prevailing market prices, or privately negotiated
prices. See the section entitled “Plan of
Distribution.” |
|
|
|
Risk factors |
|
An investment in our common stock
involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on
page 7 of this prospectus, the “Risk Factors” section in our most
recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly
Reports filed on Form 10-Q, and any amendment or update
thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, which are
incorporated by reference herein, and other information included in
this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the
documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of factors you
should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our common
stock. |
|
|
|
Market for our common
stock |
|
Our Common Stock is traded on
Nasdaq under the symbol “XXII.” |
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves certain risks. Before making
an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and
other information we include or incorporate by reference in this
prospectus and any prospectus supplement. In particular, you should
consider the risk factors described under the heading “Risk
Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as may be
revised or supplemented by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K, each of which are on file with
the SEC and are incorporated herein by reference, and which may be
amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other
reports we file with the SEC in the future. In addition to those
risk factors, there may be additional risks and uncertainties which
are not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial.
Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be
materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The occurrence
of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your
investment in the offered securities. Additional risk factors may
be included in a prospectus supplement relating to a particular
offering of securities.
USE OF PROCEEDS
All proceeds from the resale of the Shares offered by this
prospectus will belong to the Selling Stockholders. We will not
receive any proceeds from the resale of the Shares by the Selling
Stockholders. We will, however, receive proceeds from any portion
of the Warrants that are exercised through the payment of their
respective exercise price in cash. We intend to use the proceeds,
if any, for general corporate purposes.
The Selling Stockholders will pay any underwriting fees, discounts,
selling commissions, stock transfer taxes and certain legal
expenses incurred by such Selling Stockholder in disposing of its
Shares of Common Stock, and we will bear all other costs, fees and
expenses incurred in effecting the registration of the securities
covered by this prospectus, including, without limitation, all
registration and filing fees, Nasdaq listing fees and fees and
expenses of our counsel and our independent registered public
accountants.
Private placement of
SECURITIES
JCB Private Placement
On March 3, 2023, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase
Agreement with the Purchasers, pursuant to which the Company agreed
to sell to the Purchasers (i) Debentures with an aggregate
principal amount of $21,052,632 and (ii) the JGB Warrants, for a
total purchase price of $20,000,000. The Securities Purchase
Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and
covenants. The transactions contemplated by the Securities Purchase
Agreement were consummated on March 3, 2023.
Debentures
The Debentures bear interest at a rate of 7% per annum, payable
monthly in arrears as of the last trading day of each month and on
the maturity date. The Debentures mature on March 3, 2026. At the
Company’s election, subject to certain conditions, interest can be
paid in cash, shares of the Company’s common stock, or a
combination thereof. The Debentures are subject to an exit payment
equal to 5% of the original principal amount, or $1,052,632,
payable on the maturity date or the date the Debentures are paid in
full (the “Exit Payment”). Any time after, March 3, 2024, the
Company may irrevocably elect to redeem all of the then outstanding
principal amount of the Debentures for cash in an amount equal to
the entire outstanding principal balance, including accrued and
unpaid interest, the Exit Payment and a prepayment premium in an
amount equal to 3% of the outstanding principal balance as of the
prepayment date (collectively, the “Prepayment Amount”). Upon the
entry into a definitive agreement that would effect a change in
control (as defined in the Debentures) of the Company, the Agent
may require the Company to prepay the outstanding principal balance
in an amount equal to the Prepayment Amount. Commencing on March 3,
2024, at its option, the holder of a Debenture may require the
Company to redeem 2% of the original principal amount of the
Debentures per calendar month which amount may at the Company’s
election, subject to certain exceptions, be paid in cash, shares of
the Company’s common stock, or a combination thereof.
The Debentures contain customary representations, warranties and
covenants including among other things and subject to certain
exceptions, covenants that restrict the Company from incurring
additional indebtedness, creating or permitting liens on assets,
making or holding any investments, repaying outstanding
indebtedness, paying dividends or distributions and entering into
transactions with affiliates. In addition, the Company is required
to maintain at least $7,500,000 on its balance sheet in a separate
account and maintain certain quarterly revenue targets. The number
of shares of Company Common Stock issuable under the Debentures is
subject to any limitations imposed by the relevant stock exchange
on which the Company’s Common Stock is traded unless shareholder
approval is obtained.
The Company’s obligations under the Debentures can be accelerated
upon the occurrence of certain customary events of default. In the
event of a default and acceleration of the Company’s obligations,
the Company would be required to pay the Prepayment Amount,
liquidated damages and other amounts owing in respect thereof
through the date of acceleration.
JGB Warrants
The JGB Warrants are exercisable for five years from September 3,
2023, at an exercise price of $1.275 per share, a 50% premium to
the VWAP on the closing date, subject, with certain exceptions, to
adjustments in the event of stock splits, dividends, subsequent
dilutive offerings and certain fundamental transactions, as more
fully described in the JGB Warrant.
The Company is obligated to register the shares of Company Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of the JGB Warrants pursuant to the
terms of the Purchase Agreement.
Omnis Private Placement
Subordinated Promissory Note
On March 3, 2023, the Company executed the Subordinated Note with a
principal amount of $2,864,767 in favor of the Lender. The
Subordinated Note refinanced the 12% Secured Promissory Note with a
principal amount of $1,000,000 dated as of October 29, 2021 payable
to the Lender and the 12% Secured Promissory Note with a principal
amount of $1,500,000 dated as of January 14, 2022 payable to the
Lender, which were assumed by the Company in connection with the
acquisition of GVB Biopharma.
Under the terms of the Subordinated Note, the Company is obligated
to make PIK Interest. The PIK Interest accrues at a rate of 26.5%
per annum, payable monthly. The Company is not permitted to prepay
all or any portion of the outstanding balance on the Subordinated
Note prior to maturity. The Subordinated Note includes customary
event of default provisions. The Subordinated Note is subordinated
to the Debenture pursuant to a Subordination Agreement between the
Company, the Agent and Lender.
Warrant
In connection with the Subordinated Note, the Company issued to
Lender, the Omnia Warrant. The Omnia Warrant is exercisable
beginning on September 3, 2023 and expire on September 3, 2028, at
an exercise price of $0.855 per share, subject, with certain
exceptions, to adjustments in the event of stock splits, dividends,
subsequent dilutive offerings and certain fundamental transactions,
as more fully described in the Omnia Warrant.
Selling Stockholders
This prospectus relates to the resale, from time to time, of up to
5,675,000 shares of our Common Stock, by the Selling Stockholders
listed below. The Shares covered by this prospectus include (i) up
to 675,000 shares of Common Stock issuable to the Lender upon
exercise of the Omnia Warrants and (ii) up to 5,000,000 shares of
Common Stock issuable to the Purchasers upon exercise of the JGB
Warrants pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement.
In accordance with the terms of Securities Purchase Agreement
entered into with the Purchasers, this prospectus generally covers
the resale of the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable
pursuant to the Warrants, determined as if the Warrants were
exercised, as applicable, in full as of the trading day immediately
preceding the date this registration statement was initially filed
with the SEC, without regard to any limitations on exercise, as
applicable, in the Warrants. The fifth column assumes the sale of
all of the Shares offered by the Selling Stockholders pursuant to
this prospectus.
Under the terms of the Debentures and Warrants, neither the
Purchasers nor the Lender may be issued Shares under the Debentures
or each of the Purchasers’ or Lender’s respective Warrants to the
extent such issuance would cause any of the Purchasers or the
Lender, together with their respective affiliates and attribution
parties, to beneficially own a number of shares of Common Stock
which would exceed 9.99% of our then outstanding Common Stock
following such exercise. The number of shares in the second column
does not reflect this limitation. The Selling Stockholders may sell
all, some or none of their shares in this Offering. See “Plan of
Distribution.”
The following table sets forth, as of the date of this prospectus,
the name of the Selling Stockholders, the aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned, the aggregate number of
Shares of Common Stock that the Selling Stockholders may offer
pursuant to this prospectus and the number of shares of Common
Stock beneficially owned by the Selling Stockholders after the sale
of the securities offered hereby.
Name of Selling
Stockholder(1) |
|
Number of Shares
of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
Prior to
Offering(2)
|
|
|
Percentage
of Common
Stock
Beneficially Owned
Prior to
Offering
(3)(4)
|
|
|
Maximum Number of
Shares of Common
Stock
to be Sold
Pursuant to
this
Prospectus(5)
|
|
|
Number of
Shares of
Common
Stock
Beneficially
Owned
After Offering(3)
|
|
|
Percentage
of Common
Stock
Beneficially Owned
After
Offering
(4)
|
|
JGB
Capital, L.P. |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
375,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
* |
|
JGB Capital
Offshore Ltd. |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,750,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
* |
|
JGB Partners,
L.P. |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,875,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1.3 |
% |
Omnia Ventures,
Inc. |
|
|
1,127,639 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
675,000 |
|
|
|
1,127,639 |
|
|
|
* |
|
*Less than 1%.
(1) |
Information concerning named Selling Stockholders
or future transferees, pledgees, assignees, distributees, donees or
successors-in-interest of or from any such stockholder or others
who later hold any Selling Stockholders’ interests will be set
forth in supplements to this prospectus, absent circumstances
indicating that the change is material. In addition, post-effective
amendments to the registration statement of which this prospectus
forms a part will be filed to disclose any material changes to the
plan of distribution from the description in the final
prospectus. |
(2) |
Does not include shares issuable upon exercise of
the Warrants, as the Warrants are not exercisable within 60 days of
March 1, 2023. |
|
|
(3) |
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In computing the number
of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage
ownership of that person, securities that are currently convertible
or exercisable into shares of our Common Stock, or convertible or
exercisable into shares of our Common Stock within 60 days of March
1, 2023, are deemed outstanding. Such shares, however, are not
deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage
ownership of any other person. Amounts reported in the fifth column
assumes that the Selling Stockholders will sell all of the Shares
offered pursuant to this prospectus. |
|
|
(4) |
Based
on 215,704,036 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 1,
2023. |
|
|
(5) |
Includes
the maximum number of Shares issuable upon exercise of the
Warrants, which Shares are being registered by the registration
statement of which this prospectus forms a part. |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Selling Stockholder of the securities and any of its pledgees,
assignees and successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell
any or all of their securities covered hereby on the Nasdaq or any
other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the
securities are traded or in private transactions. These sales may
be at fixed or negotiated prices. A Selling Stockholder may use any
one or more of the following methods when selling securities:
The Selling Stockholder may use any one or more of the following
methods when disposing of their shares of our Common Stock:
|
· |
ordinary brokerage transactions
and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits
purchasers; |
|
· |
block trades in which the
broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent, but may
position and resell a portion of the block as principal to
facilitate the transaction; |
|
· |
purchases by a broker-dealer as
principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its
account; |
|
· |
an exchange distribution in
accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange; |
|
· |
privately negotiated
transactions; |
|
· |
settlement of short
sales; |
|
· |
in transactions through
broker-dealers that agree with the Selling Stockholder to sell a
specified number of such shares at a stipulated price |
|
· |
through the writing or settlement
of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an
options exchange or otherwise; |
|
· |
a combination of any such methods
of sale; and |
|
· |
any other method permitted
pursuant to applicable law. |
The Selling Stockholder may also sell securities under Rule 144 or
any other exemption from registration under the Securities Act, if
available, rather than under this prospectus. Broker-dealers
engaged by the Selling Stockholder may arrange for other
brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive
commissions or discounts from the Selling Stockholder (or, if any
broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of securities, from
the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set
forth in a supplement to this prospectus, in the case of an agency
transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission in
compliance with FINRA Rule 2121; and in the case of a principal
transaction a markup or markdown in compliance with FINRA Rule
2121.
In connection with the sale of the securities or interests therein,
the Selling Stockholder may enter into hedging transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn
engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging
the positions they assume. The Selling Stockholder may also sell
securities short and deliver these securities to close out their
short positions, or loan or pledge the securities to broker-dealers
that in turn may sell these securities. The Selling Stockholder may
also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or
other financial institutions or create one or more derivative
securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or
other financial institution of securities offered by this
prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial
institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented
or amended to reflect such transaction).
The Selling Stockholder and any broker-dealers or agents that are
involved in selling the securities may be deemed to be
“underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in
connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions received
by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of
the securities purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Each Selling
Stockholder has informed the Company that it does not have any
written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly,
with any person to distribute the securities. The Company is
required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the Company
incident to the registration of the securities. The Company has
agreed to indemnify the Selling Stockholder against certain losses,
claims, damages and liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
We agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the
registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part
effective until the earlier of (i) the expiration of the JGB
Warrants and (ii) the date that all of the JGB Warrant Shares have
been disposed of by the Selling Stockholders or could be disposed
of pursuant to Rule 144 without restriction. The resale securities
will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers
if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in
certain states, the resale securities covered hereby may not be
sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the
applicable state or an exemption from the registration or
qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any
person engaged in the distribution of the resale securities may not
simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to
the Common Stock for the applicable restricted period, as defined
in Regulation M, prior to the commencement of the distribution. In
addition, the Selling Stockholder will be subject to applicable
provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of
purchases and sales of the Common Stock by the Selling Stockholder
or any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus
available to the Selling Stockholder and have informed them of the
need to deliver a copy of this prospectus to each purchaser at or
prior to the time of the sale (including by compliance with Rule
172 under the Securities Act).
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE
INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and
other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an internet site
that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other
information regarding issuers, including ours, that file
electronically with the SEC. The public can obtain any document
that we file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.
INCORPORATION BY
REFERENCE
We are “incorporating by reference” specified documents that we
file with the SEC, which means:
|
· |
incorporated documents are
considered part of this prospectus; |
|
· |
we are disclosing important
information to you by referring you to those documents;
and |
|
· |
information we file with the SEC
will automatically update and supersede information contained in
this prospectus. |
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any
future filings we make with the SEC under Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (i) after the date
of the registration statement on Form S-3 filed under the
Securities Act with respect to securities offered by this
prospectus and prior to the effectiveness of such registration
statement and (ii) after the date of this prospectus and
before the end of the offering of the securities pursuant to this
prospectus:
|
· |
Our Current Reports on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on May 18, 2022 (including the Form
8-K/A filed on July 20, 2022 and the Form 8-K/A
filed on March 10, 2023), March 3, 2023, March 10, 2023, March 31, 2023, April 5, 2023 and April 21, 2023; and |
|
· |
The description of our common
stock contained in or incorporated into our Registration Statement
on Form 8-A, filed August 12, 2021,
and any amendment or report updating that description. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, documents or portions thereof
containing information furnished under Items 2.02 and 7.01 of any
Current Report on Form 8-K, including the related exhibits under
Item 9.01, are not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Information in this prospectus supersedes related information in
the documents listed above, and information in subsequently filed
documents supersedes related information in both this prospectus
and the incorporated documents.
We will provide, without charge to you, upon written or oral
request, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by
reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to those
documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by
reference in those documents. Requests should be directed to our
principal executive offices at:
22nd Century Group, Inc.
500 Seneca Street, Suite 507,
Buffalo, New York 14204
(716) 270-1523
You can also find these filings on our website at
www.xxiicentury.com. We are not incorporating the information on
our website other than these filings into this prospectus. You
should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus
(including information incorporated by reference therein) and any
free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be delivered to
you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different
information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent
information, you should not rely on it. You should not assume that
the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other
than the date on the front of those documents or that any document
incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than its
filing date. You should not consider this prospectus to be an offer
or solicitation relating to the securities in any jurisdiction in
which such an offer or solicitation relating to the securities is
not authorized. Furthermore, you should not consider this
prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the
securities if the person making the offer or solicitation is not
qualified to do so, or if it is unlawful for you to receive such an
offer or solicitation.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be
passed upon for us by Greenberg Traurig, P.A. The opinion of
Greenberg Traurig, P.A may be conditioned upon and may be subject
to assumptions regarding future action required to be taken by us
and any underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the
issuance of any securities.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial
statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022
have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Freed Maxick
CPAs, P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, given
on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
The combined consolidated
financial statements of GVB Biopharma, which appear in the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on July 20, 2022, incorporated herein by
reference have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of
Armanino LLP, an independent registered public accounting
firm.
5,675,000 Shares of Common Stock Issuable Upon Exercise of
Warrants
PROSPECTUS
22nd Century (AMEX:XXII)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2023 to Sep 2023
22nd Century (AMEX:XXII)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2022 to Sep 2023