Prospectus |
Filed
Pusuant to Rule 424(b)(3) |
|
Registration No. 333-288216 |

Up
to 8,588,811 Shares of Common Stock Issuable Upon Exercise of Warrants
This
prospectus relates to the resale from time to time by the selling stockholders named in this prospectus under the caption “Selling
Stockholders,” or the Selling Stockholders, of up to 8,588,811 shares of our common stock, par value $0.00001 per share, or the
Shares, comprising up to (i) 4,851,913 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants issued in a private
placement on October 24, 2024, (ii) 300,458 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding Placement Agent Warrants
issued in connection with a private placement on October 24, 2024 and (iii) 3,436,440 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise
of outstanding warrants issued in a private placement on April 30, 2025. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares being
sold by the selling stockholders. Also, we do not expect to receive proceeds on the exercise by the selling stockholders of outstanding
warrants for shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus, as the warrants contain an “alternate cashless exercise”
provision whereby the holders will receive (2) two shares of common stock for a zero exercise price.
We
have agreed to bear all of the expenses incurred in connection with the registration of these shares. The selling stockholders will pay
or assume brokerage commissions and similar charges, if any, incurred for the sale of the warrant shares. The selling stockholders identified
in this prospectus may offer the shares from time to time through public or private transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market
prices, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at privately negotiated prices. We provide more information about how the
selling stockholders may sell their shares of common stock in the section titled “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page
7 of this prospectus. We will not be paying any underwriting discounts or commissions in connection with any offering of shares under
this prospectus.
Our
common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital market under the symbol “XXII.” On June 30, 2025, the closing price of
our common stock was $7.53 per share.
Investment
in our common stock involves risks. Please read carefully the section entitled “Risk Factors” on page 1 of this prospectus,
our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in any applicable prospectus supplement
and/or other offering material for a discussion of certain factors which should be considered in an investment of the common stock 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 July 2, 2025.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
About This Prospectus |
ii |
22nd Century Group, inc. |
1 |
Use of Proceeds |
1 |
Risk Factors |
1 |
Description of Capital Stock |
2 |
Selling Stockholders |
5 |
Plan of Distribution |
7 |
Legal Matters |
9 |
Experts |
9 |
Where You Can Find More Information |
9 |
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference |
10 |
About
This Prospectus
Unless
the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “Company,” “22nd Century,” “we,”
“us,” “our,” and “ours” refer to 22nd Century Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries where the
context so requires.
This
prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf”
registration process. Under this shelf registration process, the selling stockholders may, from time to time, sell the shares of common
stock described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. A prospectus supplement and/or other offering material may also add, update
or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any other offering
material together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
You
should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement or other
offering material. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different
or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which
an offer is not authorized or in which the person making that offer is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to
make an offer. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or any other offering
material, or the information we previously filed with the SEC that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement,
is accurate as of any date other than its respective date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may
have changed since those dates.
“Forward-Looking”
Information
This
prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus 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
ability to continue as a going concern. |
|
|
|
|
● |
Our
ability to maintain compliance with the NASDAQ listing requirements. |
|
|
|
|
● |
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. |
|
|
|
|
● |
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 “VLN” tobacco using the reduced exposure claims authorized
by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). |
|
|
|
|
● |
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. |
|
|
|
|
● |
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
have a significant number of outstanding warrants with anti-dilution price protection and alternative cashless exercise provisions. |
|
|
|
|
●
|
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.
22nd
Century Group, inc.
22nd
Century Group, Inc. is a tobacco products company with sales and distribution of our own proprietary new reduced nicotine tobacco products
authorized as Modified Risk Tobacco Products by the FDA. Additionally, we provide contract manufacturing services for conventional combustible
tobacco products for third-party brands.
Our
mission in tobacco is dedicated to mitigating the harms of smoking through our proprietary reduced nicotine content (“RNC”)
tobacco plants and our Very Low Nicotine, VLN®
combustible cigarette products. In December 2021, we secured the first and only authorization
from the FDA to market a combustible cigarette, our brand VLN® as a Modified
Risk Tobacco Product (“MRTP”) using certain reduced nicotine exposure claims. In April 2022, the inaugural launch of our
proprietary VLN® cigarettes commenced through a pilot program in select Circle
K stores in and around Chicago, Illinois. Building on the success of the pilot, we initiated a phased rollout strategy in 2023, progressing
state by state and region by region to a store footprint spanning more than 5,000 stores in 26 states. Our VLN®
tobacco products are supported by a substantial intellectual property portfolio comprising issued
patents and patent applications related to tobacco plants, and in particular our reduced nicotine tobacco plants.
In
addition to continued focus on VLN®,
we renewed our focus on utilizing our tobacco assets to attract additional tobacco business to help fund the growth of VLN®.
In addition to existing business relationships with multiple tobacco products companies, we will continue to expand the number of brands
in our contract manufacturing operations (“CMO”) portfolio in 2024.
Our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q provide additional
information about our business, operations and financial condition.
We
are a Nevada corporation and our corporate headquarters is located at 321 Farmington Rd, Mocksville, NC 27028. Our telephone number is
(336) 940-3769. Our internet address is www.xxiicentury.com. We do not incorporate the information on our website into this prospectus,
and you should not consider it to be a part of this prospectus. Our web site address is included as an inactive textual reference only.
Use
of Proceeds
We
will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares being sold by the selling stockholders. We will, however, receive proceeds on the
exercise by the selling stockholders of outstanding warrants for shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus if the warrants
are exercised for cash.
Risk
Factors
Investing
in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the caption “Risk
Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, incorporated into this prospectus by reference, as updated by our subsequent
filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. You should consider carefully those risk factors together with all of
the other information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus before investing in
any shares of common stock offered by this prospectus. For more information, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Description
of Capital Stock
The
following is a description of our capital stock and certain provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation, amended
and restated bylaws and certain provisions of applicable law. The following is only a summary and is qualified by applicable law and
by the provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, copies of which are included
as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We are incorporated in the State of Nevada The rights
of our stockholders are generally covered by Nevada law and our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated
bylaws. The terms of our capital stock are therefore subject to Nevada law.
Our
authorized capital stock consists of 10,869,565 shares of common stock, $0.00001 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, $0.00001 par value per share.
On
June 16, 2025 we filed a certificate of change authorizing a 1-for-23 reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding shares of common
stock, par value $0.00001 (the “June Reverse Stock Split”). There was no change to our authorized shares. The June Reverse
Stock Split became effective at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on June 20, 2025. Unless otherwise indicated, all share and per share prices
herein have been adjusted to retroactively reflect the June Reverse Stock Split and all prior reverse stock splits. However, common stock
share and per share amounts in certain of the documents incorporated by reference herein have not been adjusted to give effect to the
prior reverse stock splits.
As
of June 18, 2025, 500,331 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding (including 156,554 shares of common stock held in abeyance),
370 shares of common stock were issuable upon the exercise of pre-funded warrants, 4,496,026 shares of common stock issuable upon the
exercise of warrants (or up to 8,772,493 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants inclusive of “alternate
cashless exercise” provisions) and no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding.
Common
Stock
Our
common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “XXII.” Holders of our common stock are entitled to
one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and do not have cumulative voting rights. Holders of
common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the board of directors out of funds legally
available therefore, subject to a preferential dividend right of outstanding preferred stock. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or our
winding up, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably our net assets available after the payment of all debts and other
liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any outstanding preferred stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of
our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders any series of preferred stock that we may
designate and issue in the future.
Preferred
Stock
Under
the terms of our amended and restated articles of incorporation, the board of directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed
by law, without stockholder approval, to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Each such series of preferred stock shall
have such rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges
and liquidation preferences, as shall be determined by the board of directors.
The
purpose of authorizing the board of directors to issue preferred stock and determine its rights and preferences is to eliminate delays
associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection
with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third part to acquire,
or of discouraging a third party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding voting stock. We have no present plans to issue any additional
shares of preferred stock.
The
effects of issuing preferred stock could include one or more of the following:
|
● |
decreasing
the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of common stock; |
|
|
|
|
● |
restricting
dividends on the common stock; |
|
|
|
|
●
|
diluting
the voting power of the common stock; |
|
|
|
|
● |
impairing
the liquidation rights of the common stock; or |
|
|
|
|
●
|
delaying,
deferring or preventing changes in our control or management. |
As
of the date of this prospectus, there were no shares of preferred stock outstanding.
Stock
Options and Restricted Stock
As
of June 18, 2025, we had unvested stock options to purchase a total of 20,816 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price
of $46.23 per share and 6,938 shares of unvested restricted stock or restricted stock units. As of June 18, 2025, an additional 204,115
shares of common stock were available for future award grants under our stock incentive plan.
Outstanding
Warrants
As
of June 18, 2025, there were 370 pre-funded warrants and 4,496,026 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants (or
up to 8,772,493 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants inclusive of “alternate cashless exercise”
provisions) as follows:
Offering | |
Number of
Warrants | | |
Current
Exercise
Price(1) | | |
Expiration Date |
|
July 2022 RDO warrants | |
| 1 | | |
$ | 1,527,660 | | |
July 25, 2027 |
|
Senior Secured Credit Facility - JGB | |
| 7 | | |
$ | 637,784 | | |
September 3, 2028 |
|
July 19, 2023 RDO warrants | |
| 9 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
July 20, 2028 |
|
October 2023 CMPO warrants | |
| 4 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
October 19, 2028 |
|
November 2023 Inducement Warrants | |
| 1 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
February 15, 2029 |
|
April 2024 Placement Agent Warrants | |
| 331 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
April 8, 2029 |
|
Omnia Purchase Warrants | |
| 148 | | |
$ | 8,314 | | |
May 1, 2029 |
|
September 2024 Private Placement Warrants(3) | |
| 29,786 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
December 6, 2029 |
|
September 2024 Inducement Warrants (3) | |
| 36,781 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
December 6, 2029 |
|
September 2024 Inducement Placement Agent Warrants(3) | |
| 1,495 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
December 6, 2029 |
|
September 2024 RDO warrants(3) | |
| 27,344 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
December 6, 2029 |
|
September 2024 RDO Placement Agent Warrants(3) | |
| 1,517 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
December 6, 2029 |
|
October 2024 RDO Warrants(3) | |
| 82,060 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
December 6, 2029 |
|
October 2024 RDO Placement Agent Warrants(3) | |
| 4,199 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
December 6, 2029 |
|
Amended October 2024 PIPE Warrants(3) | |
| 2,429,746 | | |
$ | 17.25 | (5) | |
|
(2) |
Amended October 2024 PIPE Placement Agent Warrants(3) | |
| 164,376 | | |
$ | 17.25 | (5) | |
|
(2) |
April 2025 Inducement Warrants(3)(4) | |
| 1,718,220 | | |
$ | 17.25 | (5) | |
|
(2) |
Offering | |
Number of
Warrants | | |
Current
Exercise
Price(1) | | |
Expiration Date |
|
July 2022 RDO warrants | |
| 1 | | |
$ | 1,527,660 | | |
July 25, 2027 |
|
Senior Secured Credit Facility - JGB | |
| 7 | | |
$ | 637,784 | | |
September 3, 2028 |
|
July 19, 2023 RDO warrants | |
| 9 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
July 20, 2028 |
|
October 2023 CMPO warrants | |
| 4 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
October 19, 2028 |
|
November 2023 Inducement Warrants | |
| 1 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
February 15, 2029 |
|
April 2024 Placement Agent Warrants | |
| 331 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
April 8, 2029 |
|
Omnia Purchase Warrants | |
| 148 | | |
$ | 8,314 | | |
May 1, 2029 |
|
September 2024 Private Placement Warrants(3) | |
| 29,786 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
December 6, 2029 |
|
September 2024 Inducement Warrants (3) | |
| 36,781 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
December 6, 2029 |
|
September 2024 Inducement Placement Agent Warrants(3) | |
| 1,495 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
December 6, 2029 |
|
September 2024 RDO warrants(3) | |
| 27,344 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
December 6, 2029 |
|
September 2024 RDO Placement Agent Warrants(3) | |
| 1,517 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
December 6, 2029 |
|
October 2024 RDO Warrants(3) | |
| 82,060 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
December 6, 2029 |
|
October 2024 RDO Placement Agent Warrants(3) | |
| 4,199 | | |
$ | 18.15 | | |
December 6, 2029 |
|
Amended October 2024 PIPE Warrants(3) | |
| 2,429,746 | | |
$ | 17.25 | (5) | |
|
(2) |
Amended October 2024 PIPE Placement Agent Warrants(3) | |
| 164,376 | | |
$ | 17.25 | (5) | |
|
(2) |
April 2025 Inducement Warrants(3)(4) | |
| 1,718,220 | | |
$ | 17.25 | (5) | |
|
(2) |
|
(1) |
Warrant
exercise price reflects adjustments as a result of anti-dilution or ratchet provisions. |
|
|
|
|
(2) |
Expiration
date is 5-years following shareholder approval date. |
|
|
|
|
(3) |
The
warrants contain, subject to stockholder approval, anti-dilution protection provisions relating to subsequent equity sales of shares
of the Company’s common stock or common stock equivalents at an effective price per share lower than the then effective exercise
price of such warrants. Additionally, the warrant contains cashless and/or alternative cashless exercise features. |
|
|
|
|
(4) |
The
exercise prices of the warrants are subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of recapitalization events, stock dividends, stock
splits, stock combinations, reclassifications, reorganizations or similar events affecting the Company’s common stock. In addition,
subject to stockholder approval, the warrants will contain anti-dilution protection provisions relating to subsequent equity sales
of shares of the Company’s common stock or common stock equivalents at an effective price per share lower than the then effective
exercise price of such warrants. |
|
|
|
|
(5) |
Reflects
the exercise price assuming stockholder approval is obtained. |
Anti-Takeover
Provisions Under Nevada Law
Combinations
with Interested Stockholder. Sections 78.411-78.444, inclusive, of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) contain provisions governing
combinations with an interested stockholder. For purposes of the NRS, “combinations” include: (i) any merger or consolidation
of a Nevada corporation or any subsidiary of a Nevada corporation with the interested stockholder or any other entity, whether or not
itself is an interested stockholder of the Nevada corporation, which is, or after and as a result of the merger or consolidation would
be, an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder; (ii) any sale, lease, exchange mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition,
in one transaction or a series of transactions, to or with the interested stockholder or any affiliate or associate of the interested
stockholder of assets of the Nevada corporation or any subsidiary of the Nevada corporation (x) having an aggregate market value equal
to more than 5% of the aggregate market value of all of the consolidated assets of the Nevada corporation, (y) having an aggregate market
value equal to more than 5% of the aggregate market value of all the outstanding voting shares of the Nevada corporation, or (z) representing
more than 10% of the earning power or net income of the Nevada corporation (determined on a consolidated basis); (iii) the issuance or
transfer by the Nevada corporation or any subsidiary of the Nevada corporation, in one transaction or a series of transactions, of any
shares of the Nevada corporation or any subsidiary of the Nevada corporation that have an aggregate market value equal to 5% or more
of the aggregate market value of all the outstanding voting shares of the Nevada corporation to the interested stockholder or any affiliate
or associate of the interested stockholder except under the exercise of warrants or rights to purchase shares offered, or a dividend
or distribution paid or made, pro rata to all stockholders of the Nevada corporation; (iv) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the
liquidation or dissolution of the Nevada corporation under any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing, with
the interested stockholder or affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder; (v) except for transactions that would not constitute
a combination pursuant to subsection (iii) above, any reclassification of securities (including share splits, share dividend or other
distribution of shares with respect to other shares, or any issuance of new shares in exchange for a proportionately greater number of
old shares), any recapitalization of the Nevada corporation, any merger or consolidation of the Nevada corporation with any of its subsidiaries,
or any other transaction, whether or not with or into or otherwise involving the interested stockholder, under any agreement, arrangement
or understanding, whether or not in writing, with the interested stockholder or any affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder,
which has the immediate and proximate effect of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class or series of
voting shares or securities convertible into voting shares of the Nevada corporation or any subsidiary of the Nevada corporation which
is beneficially owned by the interested stockholder or any affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder, except as a result of
immaterial changes because of adjustments of fractional shares; and (vi) any receipt by the interested stockholder or any affiliate or
associate of the interested stockholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly, except proportionately as a stockholder of the Nevada
corporation, of any loan, advance, guarantee, pledge or other financial assistance or any tax credit or other tax advantage provided
by or through the Nevada corporation.
For
purposes of the NRS, an “interested stockholder” is defined to include any person, other than the Nevada corporation or any
subsidiary of the Nevada corporation, that is: (a) a beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of
the outstanding voting shares of the Nevada corporation or (b) an affiliate or associate of the Nevada corporation and was, at any time
within two years immediately before the date in question, the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting
power of the then-outstanding shares of the Nevada corporation.
Subject
to certain exceptions, the provisions of the NRS statute governing combinations with interested stockholders provide that a Nevada corporation
may not engage in a combination with an interested stockholder for two years after the date that the person first became an interested
stockholder unless (i) the combination or the transaction by which the person first became an interested stockholder is approved by the
board of directors before the person first became an interested stockholder or (ii) during the two-year period, the transaction is approved
by the board and by 60% of the disinterested stockholders at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders.
After
such two-year period, corporations subject to these statutes may not engage in specified business combinations and transactions unless:
(i) the business combination or transaction by which the person first became an interested stockholder is approved by the board of directors
before the stockholder became an interested stockholder; (ii) the business combination is approved by a majority of the outstanding voting
power (excluding the shares held by the interested stockholder or any affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder); or (iii)
the combination meets the requirements of 78.411 through 78.444 of the NRS, inclusive.
The
NRS allows a corporation to “opt out” of NRS 78.411 through 78.444, inclusive, by providing in such corporation’s original
articles of incorporation or bylaws that such statutes do not apply to the corporation. Unless certain limited exceptions apply, corporations
cannot opt out of such statutes by amending their articles of incorporation or bylaws. We have not opted out of such statutes.
Control
Share Acquisitions. The NRS also contains a “control share acquisitions statute.” If applicable to a Nevada corporation,
this statute restricts the voting rights of certain stockholders referred to as “acquiring persons,” that acquire or offer
to acquire ownership of a “controlling interest” in the outstanding voting stock of an “issuing corporation.”
For purposes of these provisions (i) a “controlling interest” means, with certain exceptions, the ownership of outstanding
voting stock sufficient to enable the acquiring person to exercise one-fifth or more but less than one-third, one-third or more but less
than a majority, or a majority or more of all voting power in the election of directors and (ii) an “issuing corporation”
means a Nevada corporation, as of any date, that has 200 or more stockholders of record, at least 100 of whom have addresses in Nevada
appearing on the stock ledger of the corporation at all times during the 90 days immediately preceding such date, and which does business
in Nevada directly or through an affiliated corporation. The voting rights of an acquiring person in the affected shares will be restored
only if such restoration is approved by the holders of a majority of the voting power of the corporation (excluding the shares held by
the acquiring person) at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders.
The
NRS allows a corporation to “opt out” of the control share acquisitions statute by providing in such corporation’s
articles of incorporation or bylaws, in effect on the 10th day following the acquisition of a controlling interest by an acquiring person,
that the control share acquisitions statute does not apply to the corporation or to an acquisition of a controlling interest specifically
by types of existing or future stockholders, whether or not identified. We have not opted out of the control share acquisitions statute.
Liability
and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
NRS
Sections 78.7502 and 78.751 provide us with the power to indemnify any of our directors, officers, employees or agents, or any person
who serves or served at the corporation’s request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise (for purposes of this section, the “Indemnitee” or “Indemnitees”) against
expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred related to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit
or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) arising by reason of an Indemnitee’s status as a director,
officer employee or agent of the corporation if: (i) the Indemnitee is not liable for breach of fiduciary duties to the corporation involving
intentional misconduct, fraud or knowing violation of law; (ii) the Indemnitee conducted himself or herself in good faith and reasonably
believes that his or her conduct was in, or not opposed to, our best interests; or (iii) in a criminal action, the Indemnitee must not
have had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. NRS Section 78.751 requires us to indemnify any Indemnitee
for any expenses referenced above if the Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of the foregoing actions,
suits or proceedings.
Under
NRS Section 78.7502, any discretionary indemnification, unless ordered by a court or advanced by the corporation in accordance with NRS
Section 78.751(2), can only occur if deemed proper by (i) the stockholders; (ii) a majority vote of a quorum consisting of disinterested
directors; or (iii) an independent counsel’s written legal opinion (if such an approach is approved by a majority vote of a quorum
consisting of disinterested directors or if a quorum consisting of disinterested directors cannot be obtained). Under NRS Section 78.751(2),
advances for expenses may be made by agreement if the Indemnitee affirms in writing that he or she believes that he or she has met the
statutory standards and will personally repay the expenses if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that such Indemnitee did not
meet the statutory standards.
Our
amended and restated bylaws include an indemnification provision under which we have the power to indemnify, to the extent permitted
under Nevada law, our current and former directors and officers, or any person who serves or served at our request for our benefit as
a director or officer of another corporation or our representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against
all expenses, liability and loss reasonably incurred by reason of being or having been a director, officer or representative of ours
or any of our subsidiaries. We may make advances for expenses upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer
to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that he, she or it is not entitled to be indemnified
by us.
Our
amended and restated articles of incorporation provides that we shall indemnify directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted
by the NRS. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation also provide a limitation of liability such that no director or officer
shall be personally liable to us or any of our stockholders to the fullest extent permitted by the NRS.
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) may be permitted
to directors, officers and controlling persons of ours under Nevada law or otherwise, we have been advised that the opinion of the SEC
is that such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than payment by us for expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of ours in successful defense of any action, suit, or proceeding) is asserted by a director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of our legal counsel the matter has been settled
by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by our company is
against public policy in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Nasdaq
Capital Market Listing
Our
common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “XXII.”
Transfer
Agent and Registrar
The
transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, One State Street, 30th
Floor, New York, NY 10004-1561.
Selling
StockholderS
This
prospectus relates to the resale from time to time by the selling stockholders named in this prospectus under the caption “Selling
Stockholders,” or the Selling Stockholders, of 8,588,811 shares of our common stock, par value $0.00001 per share, or the Shares,
comprising up to (i) 4,851,913 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants issued in a private placement
on October 24, 2024, (ii) 300,458 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding Placement Agent Warrants issued
in connection with a private placement on October 24, 2024 and (iii) 3,436,440 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise
of outstanding warrants issued in a private placement on April 30, 2025. We are registering the shares of common stock in order to permit
the selling stockholders to offer the shares for resale from time to time.
The
table below lists the selling stockholders and other information regarding the beneficial ownership (as determined under Section 13(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder) of the shares of common stock held by the
selling stockholders as of June 18, 2025.
Under
the terms of the various warrants, the selling stockholders will not have the right to exercise any portion of the warrant if the holder,
together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% or 9.99%, as applicable, of the number of shares of our common
stock (including securities convertible into common stock) outstanding immediately after the exercise; provided, however, that the holder
may increase or decrease this limitation at any time, although any increase shall not be effective until the 61st day following the notice
of increase and the holder may not increase this limitation in excess of 9.99% of the number of shares of our common stock (including
securities convertible into common stock) outstanding immediately after the exercise. The number of shares owned before and after the
offering do not reflect this limitation. The selling stockholders may sell all, some or none of their shares in this offering. See “Plan
of Distribution.” Information is as of June 18, 2025 and is based on 500,331 shares of common stock outstanding as of such date
(including 156,554 shares of common stock held in abeyance).
Name | |
Number of Shares of Common Stock Owned Prior to Offering | | |
Maximum Number of Shares of Common Stock to be Sold Pursuant to this Prospectus | | |
Number of Shares
of Common Stock Owned After Offering | | |
Percent of Outstanding Common Stock Owned After Offering | |
Anson East Master Fund LP (1) | |
| 83,829 | | |
| 77,108 | | |
| 6,721 | | |
| * | |
Anson Investments Master Fund LP (1) | |
| 4,791,281 | | |
| 4,659,734 | | |
| 131,547 | | |
| 1.45 | % |
Joseph Reda (2) | |
| 758,280 | | |
| 710,851 | | |
| 47,429 | | |
| * | |
Dawson James Securities, Inc. (3) | |
| - | | |
| 72,666 | | |
| - | | |
| * | |
Timothy Tyler Berry(4) | |
| - | | |
| 28,296 | | |
| - | | |
| * | |
Gregory Castaldo (5) | |
| 374,718 | | |
| 344,674 | | |
| 30,044 | | |
| * | |
Jonathan Schechter (6) | |
| 166,119 | | |
| 160,729 | | |
| 5,840 | | |
| * | |
Richard Molinsky(7) | |
| - | | |
| 7,580 | | |
| - | | |
| * | |
Robert Forster(8) | |
| 340,448 | | |
| 339,481 | | |
| 967 | | |
| * | |
SEG Opportunity Fund, LLC (9) | |
| 1,080,629 | | |
| 1,069,394 | | |
| 11,235 | | |
| * | |
Iroquois Capital Investment Group LLC(10) | |
| 728,668 | | |
| 726,894 | | |
| 1,774 | | |
| * | |
Iroquois Master Fund Ltd.(11) | |
| 392,359 | | |
| 391,404 | | |
| 955 | | |
| * | |
*
Less than 1%.
(1)
Anson Advisors Inc and Anson Funds Management LP, the Co-Investment Advisers of Anson Investments Master Fund and Anson East Master Fund
LP (“Anson”), hold voting and dispositive power over the Common Shares held by Anson. Tony Moore is the managing member of
Anson Management GP LLC, which is the general partner of Anson Funds Management LP. Moez Kassam and Amin Nathoo are directors of Anson
Advisors Inc. Mr. Moore, Mr. Kassam and Mr. Nathoo each disclaim beneficial ownership of these Common Shares except to the extent of
their pecuniary interest therein. The principal business address of Anson is Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House,
Grand Cayman, KY1-104, Cayman Islands.
(2)
Residential address is 1324 Manor Circle, Pelham NY 10803.
(3)
Business address is 101 N Federal Highway, Suite 600, Boca Raton FL 33432. Dawson James is registered broker dealer. Robert D. Keyser,
Jr. has voting control and investment discretion over the securities and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner (as determined under
Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of such securities.
(4)
Business address is 4 Millers Way, Old Lyme CT 06371.
(5)
Residential address is 3776 Steven James Drive, Garnet Valley PA 19060.
(6)
Residential address is 135 Sycamore Drive, Roslyn NY 11576.
(7)
Business address is 329 Chestnut Hill Road, Unit 2, Norwalk CT 06851.
(8)
Business address is 54 Deepdale Dr. Great Neck NY 11021.
(9)
Business address is 135 Sycamore Drive, Roslyn NY 11021. Joseph Reda, Gregory Castaldo and Jonathan Schechter have voting control and
investment discretion over the securities and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner (as determined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange
Act) of such securities.
(10)
Richard Abbe is the managing member of Iroquois Capital Investment Group LLC. Mr. Abbe has voting control and investment discretion over
securities held by Iroquois Capital Investment Group LLC. As such, Mr. Abbe may be deemed to be the beneficial owner (as determined under
Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of the securities held by Iroquois Capital Investment Group LLC. The business address is 2 Overhill
Road, Suite 400, Scarsdale NY 10583.
(11)
Iroquois Capital Management L.L.C. is the investment manager of Iroquois Master Fund, Ltd. Iroquois Capital Management, LLC has voting
control and investment discretion over securities held by Iroquois Master Fund. As Managing Members of Iroquois Capital Management, LLC
, Richard Abbe and Kimberly Page make voting and investment decisions on behalf of Iroquois Capital Management, LLC in its capacity as
investment manager to Iroquois Master Fund Ltd. As a result of the foregoing, Mr. Abbe and Mrs. Page may be deemed to have beneficial
ownership (as determined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of the securities held by Iroquois Capital Management and Iroquois
Master Fund. The business address is 2 Overhill Road, Suite 400, Scarsdale NY 10583.
Plan
of Distribution
We
are registering shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants and prefunded warrants
to permit the resale of these shares of common stock by the selling stockholders from time to time after the date of this prospectus.
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of the shares of common stock. We will, however, receive
proceeds on the exercise by the selling stockholders of outstanding warrants for shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus
if the warrants are exercised for cash. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to the registration of the shares of common stock,
provided, however, the selling stockholders will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any.
The
selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the shares of common stock held and offered hereby from time to time directly or through
one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the shares of common stock are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the
selling stockholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. The shares of common
stock may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices
determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block
transactions, pursuant to one or more of the following methods:
|
● |
on any national securities
exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale; |
|
|
|
|
● |
in the over-the-counter
market; |
|
|
|
|
● |
in transactions otherwise
than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market; |
|
|
|
|
● |
through the writing or
settlement of options, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise; |
|
|
|
|
● |
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; |
|
|
|
|
● |
short sales made after
the date the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC; |
|
|
|
|
● |
broker dealers may agree
with a selling stockholder to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share; |
|
|
|
|
● |
a combination of any such
methods of sale; or |
|
|
|
|
● |
any other method permitted
pursuant to applicable law. |
The
selling stockholders may also sell shares of common stock under Rule 144 or any other exemption from registration promulgated under the
Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus. In addition, the selling stockholders may transfer the shares of common
stock by other means not described in this prospectus. If the selling stockholders effect such transactions by selling shares of common
stock to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions in the
form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders or commissions from purchasers of the shares of common stock
for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal (which discounts, concessions or commissions as to particular underwriters,
broker-dealers or agents may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved). The selling stockholders may also
loan or pledge shares of common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares.
The
selling stockholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the warrants or shares of common stock owned and, if it
defaults in the performance of its secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock
from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision
of the Securities Act amending, if necessary, the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors
in interest as a selling stockholder under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate the shares of common
stock in other circumstances in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial
owners for purposes of this prospectus.
To
the extent required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the selling stockholders and any broker-dealer participating
in the distribution of the shares of common stock may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities
Act, and any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions
or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a particular offering of the shares of common stock is made, a prospectus supplement,
if required, will be distributed, which will set forth the aggregate amount of shares of common stock being offered and the terms of
the offering, including the name or names of any broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms constituting compensation
from the selling stockholder and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to broker-dealers.
Under
the securities laws of some states, the shares of common stock may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers
or dealers. In addition, in some states the shares of common stock may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or qualified
for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
There
can be no assurance that the selling stockholders will sell any or all of the shares of common stock registered pursuant to the registration
statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.
The
selling stockholders and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, to the extent applicable,
Regulation M of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares
of common stock by the selling stockholders and any other participating person. To the extent applicable, Regulation M may also restrict
the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the shares of common stock to engage in market-making activities with respect
to the shares of common stock. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares of common stock and the ability of any
person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of common stock.
Once
sold under the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, the shares of common stock will be freely tradable in the
hands of persons other than our affiliates.
Legal
Matters
The
validity of the shares of our common stock being offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Foley & Lardner LLP, Jacksonville,
Florida.
Experts
Our
consolidated financial statements appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, have been audited
by Freed Maxick P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm (which report expresses an
unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to substantial doubt about the ability to continue as a going concern)
given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. To the extent that Freed Maxick P.C. audits and reports on consolidated
financial statements of 22nd Century Group, Inc. at future dates and consents to the use of their reports thereon, such consolidated
financial statements also will be incorporated by reference in the registration statement in reliance upon their reports and said authority.
Where
You Can Find More Information
We
file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We also filed a registration statement
on Form S-3, including exhibits, under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus
is a part of the registration statement, but does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement or the exhibits.
You can find our public filings with the SEC on the internet at a web site maintained by the SEC located at http://www.sec.gov.
Incorporation
of Certain Documents 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 Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act (in each case, other than information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K) (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
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on March 20, 2025, as amended on April 30, 2025;
|
|
|
|
|
● |
Our Definitive Annual Meeting Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on June 10, 2025; |
|
|
|
|
● |
Our Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 13, 2025; |
|
|
|
|
● |
Our Current Reports on
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on Janaury 7, 2025, January 13, 2025, January 27, 2025, April 30, 2025, May 22, 2025 and June 16, 2025;
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. |
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 promptly 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:
22nd
Century Group, Inc.
321
Farmington Rd
Mocksville,
NC 27028
(336)
940-3769
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.