22nd Century is a plant biotechnology company whose proprietary technology allows for the level of nicotine (and other nicotinic alkaloids) in the tobacco plant to be decreased or increased through genetic engineering and breeding. For example, one of the 22nd Century’s tobacco varieties has 95% less nicotine than the tobacco found in typical “light” cigarettes. The company owns or exclusively controls 114 issued patents in 78 countries where at least 75% of the world’s smokers reside. 22nd Century’s business segments are primarily smoking cessation products and modified risk tobacco products.