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22nd Century Group, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE

COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2023

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period From ________ to ________

Commission File Number: 001-36338

22nd Century Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada

    

98-0468420

(State or other jurisdiction

(IRS Employer

of incorporation)

Identification No.)

500 Seneca Street, Suite 507, Buffalo, New York 14204

(Address of principal executive offices)

(716) 270-1523

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

    

Ticker symbol

    

Name of Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, $0.00001 par value

 

XXII 

 

NASDAQ Capital Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes    No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes    No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

 

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes   No  

As of May 2, 2023, there were 222,504,346 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

Table of Contents

22nd CENTURY GROUP, INC.

INDEX

 

 

Page

Number

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (unaudited)

3

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Three Months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (unaudited)

4

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Three Months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (unaudited)

5

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (unaudited)

6

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

7

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

35

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

44

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

44

 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

45

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

45

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

45

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

46

 

 

 

Item 3.

Default Upon Senior Securities

47

 

 

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

47

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

47

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

48

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

49

2

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22nd CENTURY GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(amounts in thousands, except share and per-share data)

March 31, 

December 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

ASSETS

 

  

 

  

Current assets:

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

$

10,952

$

3,020

Short-term investment securities

 

5,275

 

18,193

Accounts receivable, net

 

9,131

 

5,641

Inventories

 

10,528

 

10,008

Insurance recoveries

 

3,000

 

5,000

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

2,252

 

2,743

Total current assets

 

41,138

 

44,605

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

14,322

 

13,093

Operating lease right-of-use assets, net

 

5,309

 

2,675

Goodwill

 

33,160

 

33,160

Intangible assets, net

 

18,385

 

16,853

Investments

 

682

 

682

Restricted cash

 

7,500

 

Other assets

3,642

3,583

Total assets

$

124,138

$

114,651

 

  

 

  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

  

 

  

Current liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Notes and loans payable - current

$

314

$

908

Operating lease obligations

 

862

 

681

Accounts payable

 

4,602

 

4,168

Accrued expenses

 

6,306

 

1,428

Accrued payroll

 

1,276

 

3,199

Accrued excise taxes and fees

 

2,330

 

1,423

Deferred income

257

831

Other current liabilities

 

923

 

380

Total current liabilities

 

16,870

 

13,018

Long-term liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Notes and loans payable

 

154

 

3,001

Operating lease obligations

 

4,602

 

2,141

Long-term debt

 

16,417

 

Other long-term liabilities

4,736

516

Total liabilities

42,779

18,676

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

 

 

Shareholders' equity

 

  

 

  

Preferred stock, $.00001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized

 

  

 

  

Common stock, $.00001 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized

 

  

 

  

Capital stock issued and outstanding:

 

  

 

  

217,057,927 common shares (215,238,198 at December 31, 2022)

 

 

Common stock, par value

2

2

Capital in excess of par value

 

337,512

 

333,898

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(41)

 

(111)

Accumulated deficit

 

(256,114)

 

(237,814)

Total shareholders' equity

 

81,359

 

95,975

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

124,138

$

114,651

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

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22nd CENTURY GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Unaudited)

(amounts in thousands, except per-share data)

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Revenues, net

$

21,962

$

9,045

Cost of goods sold

 

23,139

 

8,736

Gross (loss) profit

 

(1,177)

 

309

Operating expenses:

 

 

Sales, general and administrative

 

14,231

 

7,262

Research and development

 

1,517

 

1,141

Other operating expense, net

 

898

 

52

Total operating expenses

 

16,646

 

8,455

Operating loss

 

(17,823)

 

(8,146)

Other income (expense):

 

 

Unrealized loss on investments

 

 

(817)

Other income, net

 

5

 

Interest income, net

 

57

 

50

Interest expense

 

(421)

 

(5)

Total other expense

 

(359)

 

(772)

Loss before income taxes

 

(18,182)

(8,918)

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

 

Net loss

$

(18,182)

$

(8,918)

Net loss per common share - basic and diluted

$

(0.08)

$

(0.05)

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

215,784

163,157

Net loss

$

(18,182)

$

(8,918)

Other comprehensive loss:

 

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investment securities

 

61

 

(400)

Foreign currency translation

 

(4)

 

Reclassification of realized losses to net loss

 

13

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

70

(400)

Comprehensive loss

$

(18,112)

$

(9,318)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

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22nd CENTURY GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(amounts in thousands, except share data)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

Accumulated

Common

Par Value

Capital in

Other

Total

Shares

of Common

Excess of

Comprehensive

Accumulated

Shareholders’

    

Outstanding

    

Shares

    

Par Value

    

Income (Loss)

    

Deficit

    

Equity

Balance at January 1, 2023

 

215,238,198

$

2

 

$

333,898

 

$

(111)

 

$

(237,814)

$

95,975

Stock issued in connection with RSU vesting, net of 474,091 shares withheld for taxes

 

1,353,891

 

 

(414)

 

 

 

(414)

Stock issued in connection with acquisition

465,838

503

503

Equity-based compensation

 

 

 

1,175

 

 

 

1,175

Adoption of ASU 2016-13

 

 

 

 

 

(118)

 

(118)

Equity detachable warrants

 

 

 

2,350

 

 

 

2,350

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

70

 

 

70

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

(18,182)

 

(18,182)

Balance at March 31, 2023

217,057,927

 

2

 

337,512

 

(41)

 

(256,114)

 

81,359

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

Accumulated

Common

Par Value

Capital in

Other

Total

Shares

of Common

Excess of

Comprehensive

Accumulated

Shareholders’

    

Outstanding

    

Shares

    

Par Value

    

Income (Loss)

    

Deficit

    

Equity

Balance at January 1, 2022

 

162,872,875

$

2

 

$

244,247

 

$

(162)

 

$

(178,013)

$

66,074

Stock issued in connection with RSU vesting

 

1,663,691

 

 

 

 

 

Equity-based compensation

 

 

 

1,213

 

 

 

1,213

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

(400)

 

 

(400)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

(8,918)

 

(8,918)

Balance at March 31, 2022

164,536,566

 

2

 

245,460

 

(562)

 

(186,931)

 

57,969

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

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22nd CENTURY GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(amounts in thousands)

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

  

 

  

Net loss

$

(18,182)

$

(8,918)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:

 

  

 

  

Amortization and depreciation

 

881

 

329

Amortization of right-of-use asset

 

294

 

92

Unrealized loss on investment

 

 

817

Realized loss on short-term investment securities

13

Provision for credit losses

61

Loss on the sale of machinery and equipment

 

103

 

Accretion of non-cash interest expense (income), net

(7)

119

Debt related charges included in interest expense

231

Equity-based employee compensation expense

 

1,175

 

1,213

Loss on change of contingent consideration

 

22

 

Loss on change of warrant liabilities

139

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:

 

  

 

  

Accounts receivable

 

(3,624)

 

(635)

Inventory

 

(495)

 

(872)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

1,971

 

794

Accounts payable

 

312

 

(661)

Accrued expenses

 

1,544

 

647

Accrued payroll

 

(1,923)

 

(1,850)

Accrued excise taxes and fees

 

906

 

739

Other liabilities

(921)

 

258

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(17,500)

 

(7,928)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

  

 

Acquisition of patents, trademarks, and licenses

 

(116)

 

(105)

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

 

(1,910)

 

(258)

Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment

 

200

 

Acquisition, net of cash acquired

90

Investment in Change Agronomy Ltd.

(682)

Property, plant and equipment insurance proceeds

3,500

Sales and maturities of short-term investment securities

 

15,726

 

13,595

Purchase of short-term investment securities

 

(2,767)

 

(3,778)

Net cash provided by investing activities

 

14,723

 

8,772

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

  

 

Payments on note payables

(3,512)

(596)

Proceeds from issuance of notes payable

71

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

16,849

Payment of debt issuance costs

(801)

Proceeds from issuance of detachable warrants

6,016

Taxes paid related to net share settlement of RSUs

(414)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

18,209

 

(596)

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

15,432

 

248

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - beginning of period

 

3,020

 

1,336

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - end of period

$

18,452

$

1,584

Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

$

3,020

$

1,336

Restricted cash at beginning of period

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

$

3,020

$

1,336

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

10,952

$

1,584

Restricted cash at end of period

7,500

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$

18,452

$

1,584

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

  

 

  

Non-cash transactions:

 

  

 

  

Capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid

$

142

$

91

Right-of-use assets and corresponding operating lease obligations

$

2,928

$

Non-cash consideration RXP acquisition

$

1,926

$

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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22nd CENTURY GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2023

(Unaudited)

Amounts in thousands, except for share and per-share data

NOTE 1. - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation – 22nd Century Group, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “22nd Century Group” or the “Company”) is a publicly traded Nevada corporation on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “XXII.” 22nd Century Group is a leading agricultural biotechnology and intellectual property company focused on tobacco harm reduction, reduced nicotine tobacco and improving health and wellness through plant science.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States ("U.S.") Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and do not include all of the disclosures normally required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) as contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, these condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the Company for the periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results or trends that may be expected for the fiscal year as a whole. The condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared using U.S. GAAP, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, certain components of equity, sales, expenses, and related disclosures at the date of the financial statements and during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

ReclassificationsAs a result of the acquisition of GVB Biopharma (see Note 2), the Company has revised the presentation and classification of depreciation and amortization in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss to conform with the acquiree, as follows:

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2022

As originally

reported

    

Reclass

    

Revised

Revenues, net

$

9,045

$

$

9,045

Cost of goods sold

 

8,585

 

151

 

8,736

Gross profit

460

(151)

309

Operating expenses:

Sales, general and administrative

7,305

(43)

7,262

Research and development

972

169

1,141

Depreciation

168

(168)

Other operating (income) expenses, net

52

52

Amortization

161

(161)

Total operating expenses

8,606

(151)

8,455

Operating loss

$

(8,146)

$

$

(8,146)

Restricted Cash - Restricted cash includes minimum escrow funds the Company maintains in a money market account pursuant to the terms of the Senior Secured Credit Facility.


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Credit Losses - The Company estimates and records a provision for its expected credit losses related to its financial instruments, including its trade receivables and contract assets. The Company considers historical collection rates, current financial status of its customers, macroeconomic factors, and other industry-specific factors when evaluating for current expected credit losses. Forward-looking information is also considered in the evaluation of current expected credit losses. However, because of the short time to the expected receipt of accounts receivable and contract assets, the Company believes that the carrying value, net of excepted losses, approximates fair value and therefore, relies more on historical and current analysis of such financial instruments.

To determine the provision for credit losses for accounts receivable, including consideration of contract assets or unbilled receivables, the Company has disaggregated its accounts receivable by nature and type of product being sold, as the Company determined that risk profile of its customers is consistent based on the type of product and industry in which they operate. These customer classes include tobacco distributors/wholesalers for its CMO cigarette and filtered cigar tobacco product sales, hemp/cannabis bulk ingredient product sales, and hemp/cannabis white label product sales. Each class of customer is analyzed for estimated credit losses individually. In doing so, the Company establishes a historical loss matrix, based on the previous collections of accounts receivable by the age of such receivables, and evaluates the current and forecasted financial position of its customers, as available. Further, the Company considers macroeconomic factors and the status of the related industry, including unemployment rates, industry indices, and other factors, to estimate if there are current expected credit losses within its trade receivables based on the trends and the Company’s expectation of the future status of such economic and industry-specific factors. The Company believes that its customers, the majority of which are in industries with sound financial condition, and therefore, the Company’s evaluation of macroeconomic and industry-specific factors did not have a material impact on the provision for credit losses. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $551 and $372 respectively.

Acquisitions - The Company accounts for acquisitions under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. Results of operations of acquired companies are included in the Company’s results of operations as of the respective acquisition dates. The purchase price of each acquisition is allocated to the net assets acquired based on estimates of their fair values at the date of the acquisition. Any purchase price in excess of these net assets is recorded as goodwill.

All direct acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred and are recognized in operating expenses on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. The allocation of purchase price in certain cases may be subject to revision based on the final determination of fair values during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date.

Contingent Consideration - Contingent consideration arising from a business acquisition is included as part of the purchase price and is recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date. Subsequent to the acquisition date, the Company remeasures contingent consideration arrangements at fair value at each reporting period until the contingency is resolved. The changes in fair value are recognized within Other Operating Expenses, Net in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. Changes in fair values reflect new information about the likelihood of the payment of the contingent consideration and the passage of time. See Note 2 for the contingent consideration arising from the acquisition of RX Pharmatech Ltd.

Warrants - The Company accounts for stock warrants as either equity instruments, derivative liabilities, or liabilities in accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (ASC 480) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815) depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement. The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own ordinary shares and whether the warrant holders could potentially require “net cash settlement” in a circumstance outside of the Company’s control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding. 

Warrants that the Company may be required to redeem through payment of cash or other assets outside its control are classified as liabilities pursuant to ASC 480 and are initially and subsequently measured at their estimated fair values. For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance. For additional discussion on warrants, see Note 6 and Note 10. 

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Debt Issued with Detachable Warrants - The Company considers guidance within ASC 470-20, Debt (ASC 470), ASC 480, and ASC 815 when accounting for the issuance of debt with detachable warrants. As described above under the caption “Warrants”, the Company classifies stock warrants as either equity instruments, derivative liabilities, or liabilities depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement. In circumstances in which debt is issued with detachable warrants, the proceeds from the issuance of the debt are first allocated to the warrants at their full estimated fair value with a corresponding debt discount. The remaining proceeds, as further reduced by discounts (including those created by the bifurcation of embedded derivatives), is allocated to the debt. The Company accounts for debt as liabilities measured at amortized cost and amortizes the resulting debt discount from the allocation of proceeds, to interest expense using the effective interest method over the expected term of the debt instrument pursuant to ASC 835, Interest (ASC 835).

Embedded DerivativesThe Company considers whether there are any embedded features in debt instruments that require bifurcation and separate accounting as derivative financial instruments pursuant to ASC 815. Embedded derivatives are initially and subsequently measured at fair value. The embedded derivatives associated with the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility and Subordinated Note are not material.

Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts - Debt issuance costs and discounts associated with the issuance of debt by the Company are deferred and amortized over the term of the related debt. Debt issuance costs and discounts related to the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility and Subordinated Note are recorded as a reduction of the carrying value of the related debt and are amortized to Interest expense using the effective interest method over the period from the date of issuance to the maturity date, whichever is earlier. The amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts are included in Debt related charges included in interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Note 7 “Debt” contains additional information on the Company’s debt issuance costs and discounts.

Goodwill - Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of identifiable net assets of a business acquired and is assigned to one or more reporting units. The Company’s reporting units are the same as its two reportable segments, which is (1) Tobacco, and (2) Hemp/Cannabis. The Company tests its reporting unit’s goodwill for impairment at least annually as of the measurement date year and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, there were no indicators of impairment and accordingly a goodwill impairment test was not performed.

Gain and Loss Contingencies  The Company establishes an accrued liability for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. In such cases, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrued liability. As a litigation or regulatory matter develops, the Company, in conjunction with any outside counsel handling the matter, evaluates on an ongoing basis whether such matter presents a loss contingency that is probable and estimable. If, at the time of evaluation, the loss contingency related to a litigation or regulatory matter is not both probable and estimable, the matter will continue to be monitored for further developments that would make such loss contingency both probable and estimable. When a loss contingency related to a litigation or regulatory matter is deemed to be both probable and estimable, the Company will establish an accrued liability with respect to such loss contingency and record a corresponding amount of related expenses. The Company will then continue to monitor the matter for further developments that could affect the amount of any such accrued liability.

In accordance with ASC 450-30, Gain Contingencies, gain contingencies are recognized when earned and realized, which typically will occur at the time of final settlement or when cash is received. Insurance recoveries may be realized earlier than cash receipt if a claim and amount of reimbursement is acknowledged by the insurance company that payment is due and collection is probable.

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The Company maintains general liability insurance policies for its facilities. Under the terms of our insurance policies, in the case of loss to a property, the Company follows the guidance in ASC 610-30, Other Income —Gains and Losses on Involuntary Conversions, for the conversion of nonmonetary assets (the properties) to monetary assets (insurance recoveries). Under ASC 610-30, once the recovery is deemed probable the Company recognizes an asset for the insurance recovery receivable in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, with corresponding income that is offsetting to the casualty losses recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. If the insurance recovery is less than the amount of the casualty charges recognized, the Company will recognize a loss whereas if the insurance recovery is greater than the amount of casualty loss recognized, the Company will only recognize a recovery up to the amount of the casualty loss and will account for the excess as a gain contingencyBusiness interruption insurance is treated as a gain contingency.

Refer to further discussion of all commitments and contingencies in Note 11.

Income Taxes - For interim income tax reporting, due to a full valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets, no income tax expense or benefit is recorded unless it is an unusual or infrequently occurring item. The tax effects of unusual or infrequently occurring items, including changes in judgment about valuation allowances and effects of changes in tax laws or rates, are reported in the interim period in which they occur.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 326

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, or ASC 326 Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, effective January 1, 2023 under a modified retrospective approach. Under the current expected credit losses (“CECL”) model, the Company immediately recognizes an estimate of credit losses expected to occur over the life of the financial asset at the time the financial asset is originated or acquired. Estimated credit losses are determined by taking into consideration historical loss conditions, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Changes to the expected lifetime credit losses are recognized each period. The new guidance applies to the Company’s trade receivables and contract asset balances. Due to the nature of business operations and contracts with customers, the Company has historically not experienced significant bad debt expense or write-offs and as a result, the adoption of ASC 326 did not have a material impact to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In connection with the adoption of ASC 326, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $118 with an offsetting cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of January 1, 2023.

We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs. If the ASU is not listed above, it was determined that the ASU was either not applicable or would have an immaterial impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.

NOTE 2. – BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

RX Pharmaceutical, Ltd.

On January 19, 2023, the Company acquired RX Pharmatech Ltd (“RXP”) a privately held distributor of cannabinoids with 1,276 novel food applications with the U.K. Food Standards Agency (“FSA”). RXP’s products include CBD isolate and numerous variations of finished products like gummies, oils, drops, candies, tinctures, sprays, capsules and others. RXP is included in the Company’s Hemp/cannabis reportable segment.

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The initial consideration paid to acquire RXP included $200 in cash and $503 in common stock (consisting of 465,838 unregistered shares of common stock), and an initial estimate of target working capital true-up of $286. The fair value of the Company’s common stock issued as part of the consideration was determined based upon the opening stock price of the Company’s shares as of the acquisition date. Additionally, the contingent consideration in the transaction represents the estimated fair value of the Company’s obligation, under the share purchase agreement, to make additional payments of up to $1,550 over the next three years based on specified conditions being met, which has an initial fair value of contingent consideration of $1,138. The fair value of the aggregate consideration in the transaction is $2,127.

Based on the preliminary purchase price allocation, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed principally comprise $1,744 of intangible assets, and other immaterial working capital items representing a net asset of $93 (net of cash acquired of $290). There was no excess purchase price and therefore no goodwill recorded as part of the business combination. The determination of estimated fair value required management to make significant estimates and assumptions based on information that was available at the time the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared.

Intangible assets include the intellectual property associated with the 1,276 novel food applications with the FSA., which is determined to be indefinite lived. The preliminary fair value was determined by utilizing the cost approach, and considered market data to evaluate the replacement cost per application.

The Company utilizes third-party valuation experts to assist in estimating the fair value of the contingent consideration and develops estimates by considering weighted-average probabilities of likely outcomes and discounted cash flow analysis. These estimates require the Company to make various assumptions about forecasted revenues and discount rates, which are unobservable and considered Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. A change in these inputs to a different amount might result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement at the reporting date.

The following table provides quantitative information associated with the initial fair value measurement of the Company’s liabilities for contingent consideration as of January 19, 2023:

Maximum Payout

Weighted Average

Contingency Type

(undiscounted)

Fair Value

Unobservable Inputs

or Range

Revenue-based payments

$

1,550

$

1,138

Discount rate

16

%

Projected year(s) of payment

2024-2026

The amounts reported are considered provisional as the Company is finalizing the valuations that are required to allocate the purchase price through the measurement period, which remains open as of March 31, 2023. As a result, the allocation of the provisional purchase price may change in the future, which could be material.

GVB Biopharma

On May 13, 2022, the Company entered into and closed the transactions contemplated by the Reorganization and Acquisition Agreement (the “Reorganization Agreement”) with GVB Biopharma (“GVB”). Under the terms of the Reorganization Agreement, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of GVB’s business dedicated to hemp-based cannabinoid extraction, refinement, contract manufacturing and product development (the “Transaction”). The acquisition of GVB allows the Company to leverage its expertise in receptor and plant science to develop its hemp/cannabis franchise and add significant scale. GVB is included in the Company’s Hemp/cannabis reportable segment.

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The aggregate consideration for the Transaction consisted of (i) the assumption of approximately $4,637 of debt, (ii) the assumption and direct payment of certain third-party transaction costs incurred by GVB in connection with the Transaction totaling approximately $1,753 and (iii) the issuance to GVB of 32,900,000 unregistered shares of common stock of the Company (the “Shares”) with a fair value of $51,653. The fair value of the Company’s common stock issued as part of the consideration was determined based upon the opening stock price of the Company’s shares as of the acquisition date. The Shares were subject to a lock-up and restrictions on transfer for at least six months following closing and thereafter, one-third of the Shares will be released from the lock-up after six months, one-third will be released from the lock-up after nine months and the remainder will be released after one year.

The Transaction was structured as a tax-free re-organization pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 368(a)(1)(c). Accordingly, the tax basis of net assets acquired retain their carry over tax basis and holding period in purchase accounting.

The Company recorded provisional estimated fair values for the assets purchased, liabilities assumed and purchase consideration as of the date of the acquisition during the second quarter of 2022, resulting in goodwill of $44,200. The determination of estimated fair value required management to make significant estimates and assumptions based on information that was available at the time the Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared.

During the measurement period, the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of May 13, 2022 were adjusted to reflect the ongoing acquisition valuation analysis procedures of property and equipment, intangible assets, deferred taxes, and working capital adjustments. These adjustments resulted in a combined reduction to goodwill of $11,040. The impact of depreciation and amortization to Operating loss recorded in the third quarter of 2022 as a result of completing valuation procedures for property and equipment and intangible assets, that would have been recorded in the prior period since the date of acquisition was $70.

The amounts reported are considered provisional as the Company is finalizing the valuations that are required to allocate the purchase price through the measurement period, which remains open as of March 31, 2023, as the final stub period income tax returns have not yet been completed. As a result, the allocation of the provisional purchase price may change in the future, which could be material.

The following table presents management’s purchase price allocation:

Cash

$

456

Accounts receivable

2,944

Inventory

3,551

Other assets

519

Property, plant & equipment

11,388

Operating leases right-of-use assets, net

1,231

Goodwill

33,161

Tradename

4,600

Customer relationships

5,800

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

(2,777)

Other current liabilities

(944)

Lease liabilities

(1,259)

Auto loans

(387)

Deferred tax liability

(627)

Bridge loan

(4,250)

Fair value of net assets acquired

$

53,406

The fair values of the assets acquired were determined using one of three valuation approaches: market, income or cost. The selection of a particular method for a given asset depended on the reliability of available data and the nature of the asset, among other considerations.

The market approach estimates the value for a subject asset based on available market pricing for comparable assets. The income approach estimates the value for a subject asset based on the present value of cash flows projected to be generated by the asset.

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The projected cash flows were discounted at a required rate of return that reflects the relative risk of the asset and the time value of money. The projected cash flows for each asset considered multiple factors from the perspective of a marketplace participant including revenue projections from existing customers, attrition trends, tradename life-cycle assumptions, marginal tax rates and expected profit margins giving consideration to historical and expected margins. The cost approach estimates the value for a subject asset based on the cost to replace the asset and reflects the estimated reproduction or replacement cost for the asset, less an allowance for loss in value due to depreciation or obsolescence, with specific consideration given to economic obsolescence if indicated. These fair value measurement approaches are based on significant unobservable inputs, including management estimates and assumptions.

Current Assets and Liabilities

The fair value of current assets and liabilities, excluding inventory, was assumed to approximate their carrying value as of the acquisition date due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities.

The fair value of in-process and finished goods inventory acquired was estimated by applying a version of the income approach called the comparable sales method. This approach estimates the fair value of the assets by calculating the potential revenue generated from selling the inventory and subtracting from it the costs related to the completion and sale of that inventory and a reasonable profit allowance for these remaining efforts. Based upon this methodology, the Company recorded the inventory acquired at fair value resulting in an increase in inventory of $978, which was fully amortized in the three month period ended June 30, 2022 in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

Property, Plant and Equipment

The fair value of PP&E acquired was estimated by applying the cost approach for personal property and leasehold improvements. The cost approach was applied by developing a replacement cost and adjusting for economic depreciation and obsolescence.

Leases

The Company recognized operating lease liabilities and operating lease right-of-use assets for office and manufacturing facilities in (i) Las Vegas, Nevada (ii) Grass Valley, Oregon (iii) Prineville, Oregon, and (iv) Tygh Valley, Oregon, accordance with ASC 842, Leases.

The following table summarizes the Company’s discount rate and remaining lease terms as of the acquisition date:

Weighted average remaining lease term in years

3.8

Weighted average discount rate

8.3

%

The Company concluded there were no off-market lease intangibles on the date of acquisition based on an evaluation of market rents per square foot, geographic location and nature of use of the underlying asset, among other considerations.

Intangible assets

The purchase price was allocated to intangible assets as follows:

Weighted Average

Fair Value

Amortization Period

Weighted Average

Definite-lived Intangible Assets

Assigned

    

(Years)

Discount Rate

Customer relationships

$

5,800

10

23.50%

Tradename

$

4,600

Indefinite

23.50%

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Customer Relationships

Customer relationships represent the estimated fair value of contractual and non-contractual customer relationships GVB had as of the acquisition date. These relationships were valued separately from goodwill at the amount that an independent third party would be willing to pay for these relationships. The fair value of customer relationships was determined using the multi-period excess-earnings method, a form of the income approach. The estimated useful life of the existing customer base was based upon the historical customer annual attrition rate of 20%, as well as management’s understanding of the industry and product life cycles.

Tradename

Tradename represents the estimated fair value of GVB’s corporate and product names. The acquired tradename was valued separately from goodwill at the amount that an independent third party would be willing to pay for use of these names. The fair value of the tradename was determined by utilizing the relief from royalty method, a form of the income approach, with a royalty rate of 1.0%. The GVB tradename was assumed to have an indefinite useful life based upon long-term management expectations and future operating plans.

Deferred Taxes

The Company determined the deferred tax position to be recorded at the time of the GVB acquisition in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, resulting in recognition of deferred tax liabilities for future reversing of taxable temporary differences primarily for intangible assets and property, plant and equipment. This resulted in a preliminary net deferred tax liability of $627, which includes the carryover basis of historical recognized deferred tax assets, liabilities and valuation allowance.

The net deferred tax liabilities recorded as a result of the acquisition of GVB was determined by the Company to also provide future taxable temporary differences that allow for the Company to utilize certain previously fully reserved deferred tax assets. Accordingly, the Company recognized a reduction to its valuation allowance resulting in a net tax benefit of approximately $434 for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Goodwill

The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed was allocated to goodwill. A variety of factors contributed to the goodwill recognized, including the value of GVB’s assembled work force, the incremental value resulting from GVB’s capabilities in hemp/cannabis, operational synergies across the plant science platform, and the expected revenue growth over time that is attributable to increased market share from future products and customers. Goodwill recorded in the transaction will be non-deductible. 

Actual and Pro Forma (unaudited) disclosures

For segment reporting purposes, the results of operations and net assets from the RXP and GVB acquisitions have been included in the Company’s Hemp/cannabis reportable segment since the respective acquisition dates. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, net revenues related to GVB were $12,874, and net loss was $4,791. The operating results of RXP for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 were immaterial.

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The following unaudited pro forma information presents the consolidated results of operations of the Company and assumes the acquisition occurred on January 1, 2021:

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

2023

    

2022

(in thousands, except for per-share data)

Revenues, net

$

21,962

$

16,058

Net loss

$

(18,182)

$

(7,747)

Net loss per common share - basic and diluted

$

(0.08)

$

(0.04)

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

215,784

196,057

The unaudited pro forma results are presented for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect the realization of potential cost savings, and any related integration costs. Certain costs savings may result from the acquisition; however, there can be no assurance that these cost savings will be achieved. These unaudited pro forma results do not purport to be indicative of the results that would have been obtained, or to be a projection of results that may be obtained in the future. These unaudited pro forma results include certain adjustments, primarily due to amortization expense due to the fair value adjustment of inventory, acquisition related costs and the impact of income taxes on the pro forma adjustments.

Acquisition costs

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, direct costs incurred as a result of the acquisition of RXP were $68 as compared to direct costs incurred as a result of the acquisition of GVB were $52 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2022. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred and included in Other operating expenses, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

NOTE 3. – INVENTORIES

Inventories at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consisted of the following:

    

March 31, 

    

December 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Raw materials

$

8,133

$

8,743

Work in process

1,238

441

Finished goods

 

1,157

824

$

10,528

$

10,008

NOTE 4. – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET 

Goodwill

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill during the three month period ended March 31, 2023 is as follows:

Balance at January 1, 2023

$

33,160

Balance at March 31, 2023

$

33,160

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Other Intangible Assets, Net

Our other intangible assets, net at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consisted of the following:

Gross

Accumulated

 

Net Carrying

March 31, 2023

    

Carrying Amount

    

Amortization

 

Amount

Definite-lived:

Patent

$

6,690

$

(3,821)

$

2,869

License Fees

 

3,876

(1,510)

2,366

Customer relationships

5,800

(259)

5,541

Total amortizing intangible assets

$

16,366

$

(5,590)

$

10,776

Indefinite-lived:

 

Tradename and trademarks

 

$

3,313

U.K. FSA portfolio

 

1,744

MSA signatory costs

2,202

License fee for predicate cigarette brand

 

350

Total indefinite-lived intangible assets

$

7,609

Total intangible assets, net

$

18,385

Gross

Accumulated

 

Net Carrying

December 31, 2022

    

Carrying Amount

    

Amortization

 

Amount

Definite-lived:

Patent

$

6,513

$

(3,711)

$

2,802

License Fees

 

3,876

(1,446)

2,430

Customer relationships

5,800

(20)

5,780

Total amortizing intangible assets

$

16,189

$

(5,177)

$

11,012

Indefinite-lived:

 

Tradename and trademarks

 

$

3,289

MSA signatory costs

2,202

License fee for predicate cigarette brand

 

350

Total indefinite-lived intangible assets

$

5,841

Total intangible assets, net

$

16,853

See Note 2 “Business Acquisitions” for additional details regarding goodwill and intangible assets acquired as a result of the acquisitions of RXP and GVB, including any measurement period adjustments.

Aggregate intangible asset amortization expense comprises of the following:

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Cost of goods sold

$

4

$

3

Sales, general, and administrative

239

Research and development

 

170

 

158

Total amortization expense

$

413

$

161

Estimated future intangible asset amortization expense based on the carrying value as of March 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

Remainder of 2023

 

2024

 

2025

 

2026

2027

Thereafter

Amortization expense

$

1,240

$

1,644

$

1,502

$

1,268

$

1,128

$

3,994

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NOTE 5. – INVESTMENTS & OTHER ASSETS

The total carrying value of the Company’s investments and other assets at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consisted of the following:

March 31, 

December 31, 

2023

2022

Change Agronomy Ltd. ordinary shares

    

$

682

    

$

682

Total investments

$

682

$

682

Investment in Change Agronomy Ltd.

On December 10, 2021, the Company entered into a subscription agreement to invest £500 (pounds sterling, in thousands), in exchange for 592,888 ordinary shares of Change Agronomy Ltd. (“CAL”), a private company existing under the laws of England, at a price per share of £0.84333. CAL is a vertically integrated sustainable industrial hemp business that combines world-class genetics with leading agronomic techniques and infrastructure to provide full-service industrial hemp products to multiple global end markets. CAL presently has operations in Manitoba, Canada, and Italy. This equity investment was part of an Offer for Subscription by CAL for a minimum total of £3,000 at the same price per ordinary share. Approximately U.S. $682 in funds were wired to CAL on January 26, 2022, and our investment of £500 equates to approximately 1.8% of CAL’s total equity.

In accordance with ASU 2019-04, a foreign currency-denominated equity investments that are measured using the measurement alternative are nonmonetary items that should be remeasured using their historical exchange rates. Accordingly, for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 there is no foreign currency exchange gain or loss recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss related to the investment in Change Agronomy Ltd.

During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, there were no impairment triggering events identified for investments.

Panacea Investment – Promissory Note:

On June 30, 2021, the Company entered into a Promissory Note Exchange Agreement with Panacea and a Securities Exchange Agreement with Panacea, Exactus, Inc. (“Exactus”) (OTCQB:EXDI) and certain other Panacea shareholders. The promissory note was issued in the amount of $4,300 (the “Promissory note receivable”) with a maturity date of June 30, 2026 and a 0% interest rate. The Promissory note receivable is with a related party of Panacea and is fully secured by a first priority lien on Panacea’s headquarters located in Golden, Colorado.

The Promissory note receivable was originally valued at $3,684 ($4,300 face value less $616 discount) and is included within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as “Other Assets.” Subsequently, on December 31, 2022 the Company and Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc. entered into a settlement agreement in which the Company agreed to a reduction to the face value of the Promissory note receivable of $500, in exchange for resolution to all contractual requirements from the June 30, 2021 Promissory Note Exchange Agreement and Securities Exchange Agreement surrounding the investment and business relationship. Accordingly, the Company recognized extinguishment charge of note receivable of $500 less adjusted discount of $51 during the year-ended December 31, 2022. The Company intends to hold the remaining outstanding Promissory note receivable to maturity and the associated discount will be amortized into interest income over the term of the note.

The following table provides the promissory note receivable balance:

March 31, 

December 31,

2023

2022

Promissory note receivable

$

3,437

$

3,410

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NOTE 6. – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Fair value measurement standards apply to certain financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (each reporting period). For the Company, these financial assets and liabilities include its short-term investment securities and equity investments. The Company does not have any nonfinancial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

The following table presents information about our assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value:

Fair Value

March 31, 2023

    

Level 1

    

Level 2

    

Level 3

    

Total

Assets

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Money market funds

$

4,728

$

$

$

4,728

Restricted cash

7,500

7,500

Corporate bonds

 

 

4,353

 

 

4,353

Change Agronomy Ltd. ordinary shares

682

682

Total assets

$

12,228

$

4,353

$

682

$

17,263

Liabilities

Detachable warrants

$

$

$

3,666

$

3,666

Contingent consideration

1,160

1,160

Total liabilities

$

$

$

4,826

$

4,826

Fair Value

December 31, 2022

    

Level 1

    

Level 2

    

Level 3

    

Total

Assets

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Money market funds

$

10,163

$

$

$

10,163

Corporate bonds

 

 

7,031

 

 

7,031

U.S. treasury securities

 

 

999

 

 

999

Change Agronomy Ltd. ordinary shares

682

682

Total assets

$

10,163

$

8,030

$

682

$

18,875

Money market funds

Money market mutual funds are valued at their daily closing price as reported by the fund. Money market mutual funds held by the Company are open-end mutual funds that are registered with the SEC that generally transact at a stable $1.00 Net Asset Value (“NAV”) representing its estimated fair value. On a daily basis the fund’s NAV is determined by the fund based on the amortized cost of the funds underlying investments.

Corporate bonds

Corporate bonds are valued using pricing models maximizing the use of observable inputs for similar securities.

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The following tables set forth a summary of the Company’s available-for-sale debt securities from amortized cost basis to fair value as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

Available for Sale Debt Securities

March 31, 2023

Amortized

Gross

Gross

Cost

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair

    

Basis

    

Gains

    

Losses

    

Value

Corporate bonds

$

4,391

$

$

(38)

$

4,353

Available for Sale Debt Securities

December 31, 2022

Amortized

Gross

Gross

Cost

Unrealized 

Unrealized 

Fair

    

Basis

    

Gains

    

Losses

    

Value

Corporate bonds

$

7,143

$

$

(112)

$

7,031

The following table sets forth a summary of the Company’s available-for-sale securities at amortized cost basis and fair value by contractual maturity as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

Available for Sale Debt Securities

March 31, 2023

December 31, 2022

Amortized

Amortized

    

Cost Basis

    

Fair Value

    

Cost Basis

    

Fair Value

Due in one year or less

$

4,391

$

4,353

$

7,143

$

7,031

Investment in Change Agronomy

The investment in Change Agronomy Ltd. is in a privately held company and its stock does not have a readily determinable fair value; therefore, the investment is carried at cost less impairment, adjusted for observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer.

Contingent Consideration

The following table presents the changes in the estimated fair values of the Company’s liabilities for contingent consideration measured using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2023:

Fair value measurement at January 1, 2023

$

Initial measurement (see Note 2)

1,138

Fair value measurement adjustment

22

Fair value measurement at March 31, 2023

$

1,160

On January 19, 2023, the Company acquired the assets and liabilities of RXP, a privately-held company based in the U.K. The contingent consideration at March 31, 2023 is the estimated fair value of the Company’s obligations, under the sale and purchase agreement for RXP, to make additional payments if certain revenue goals are met.

As of March 31, 2023, the current portion of contingent consideration liabilities included in Other current liabilities was $566, and the non-current portion included in Other long-term liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was $594.

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The following table provides quantitative information associated with the fair value measurement of the Company’s liabilities for contingent consideration as of March 31, 2023:

Maximum Payout

Weighted Average

Contingency Type

(undiscounted)

Fair Value

Unobservable Inputs

or Range

Revenue-based payments

$

1,550

$

1,160

Discount rate

16

%

Projected year(s) of payment

2024-2026

Detachable Warrants

The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in fair value of the Company’s stock warrants (Level 3 asset) for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023:

Fair value measurement at January 1, 2023

$

Initial measurement

3,527

Fair value measurement adjustment

139

Fair value measurement at March 31, 2023

$

3,666

The JGB detachable warrants were valued at the closing dates of the Senior Secured Credit Facility using a Monte Carlo valuation model with the following assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate per year

 

4.2

%

Expected volatility per year

 

88.1

%

Expected dividend yield

 

%

Contractual expiration

 

5.5

years

Exercise price

$

1.275

Stock price

$

0.91

The Omnia detachable warrants were valued at the closing dates of the Subordinated Note using a Monte Carlo valuation model with the following assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate per year

 

4.1

%

Expected volatility per year

 

83.8

%

Expected dividend yield

 

%

Contractual expiration

 

7.5

years

Exercise price

$

0.855

Stock price

$

0.91

There were no material changes in assumptions for valuation of the detachable warrants as of March 31, 2023 given the short period of time from issuance. The detachable warrants are measured at fair value using certain estimated factors which are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. Significant unobservable inputs that are used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s detachable warrants include the volatility factor. Significant increases or decreases in the volatility factor would have resulted in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

During the three month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 respectively, the Company did not have any financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

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NOTE 7. DEBT

The Company has a senior secured credit facility (the “Senior Secured Credit Facility”), which consists of three-year $21,053 debentures (the “Debentures”) and $2,865 subordinated promissory note (the “Subordinated Note). The Debentures were issued at a 5% original issuance discount and are subject to a 5% exit payment.

Long-term debt related to the Senior Secured Credit Facility and Subordinate Note as of March 31, 2023, consists of the following:

March 31, 

    

2023

Senior Secured Credit Facility

 

$

22,105

Subordinated Note

2,925

Unamortized discount on loan and deferred debt issuance costs

(8,613)

Total debt

16,417

Current portion of long-term debt

Total long-term debt

$

16,417

Debentures

On March 3, 2023, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement, which pursuant to the agreement, the Company sold 5% original issuance discount senior secured debentures with an aggregate principal amount of $21,053. 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 $1,053, 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. In connection with the sale of the Debentures, the Company issued warrants to purchase up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock for an exercise price of $1.275 per share (the “JGB Warrants”), which had an initial fair value of $4,561 net of issuance costs of $139 (see Note 6 and Note 10).

 

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.

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. Substantially all of the company’s assets, including intellectual property, are collateralized and at risk if Debenture obligation is not satisfied. In addition, the Company is required to maintain at least $7,500 on its balance sheet as restricted cash in a separate account and has financial covenants to maintain certain quarterly revenue targets. As of March 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with these financial covenants.

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Subordinated Note

On March 3, 2023, the Company executed a Subordinated Promissory Note (the “Subordinated Note”) with a principal amount of $2,865 in favor of Omnia Ventures, LP (“Omnia”). The Subordinated Note refinanced the 12% Secured Promissory Note with a principal amount of $1,000 dated as of October 29, 2021 payable to Omnia (the “October Note”) and the 12% Secured Promissory Note with a principal amount of $1,500 dated as of January 14, 2022 payable to Omnia (the “January Note”, and together with the October Note, the “Original Notes”), which were assumed by the Company in connection with the acquisition of GVB Biopharma (see Note 8). The accrued PIK interest refinanced from the Original Notes was $365.

 

Under the terms of the Subordinated Note, the Company is obligated to make interest payments in-kind (the “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 Omnia.

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 Warrants”). The Omnia Warrants are exercisable for seven years from September 3, 2023, 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 Warrants.  The Omnia warrants initial fair value was $1,316 (see Note 6 and 10).

Contractual maturities under the Senior Secured Credit Facility and Subordinate Note for the remainder of 2023 and through maturity, excluding any discounts or premiums, as of March 31, 2023 is as follows:

Remainder of

 

2023

 

2024

 

2025

 

2026

2027

Thereafter

Future minimum principal payments

$

$

2,925

$

$

22,105

$

$

The fair values of the warrants at issuance of $5,877, together with the Debentures original issuance discount of $1,053, Debentures exit payment of $1,053, and third-party debt issuance costs of $801, are being amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the respective debt instrument, recorded as Interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. The components and activity of unamortized discount and deferred debt issuance costs related to the Senior Secured Credit Facility and Subordinated Note is as follows:

Total

Issuance

$

(8,784)

Amortization during the period

171

March 31, 2023

$

(8,613)

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NOTE 8. – NOTES & LOANS PAYABLE

The table below outlines our notes payable balances as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

March 31, 

December 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Insurance loans payable

$

184

$

780

Vehicle loans

130

128

Total current notes and loans payable

$

314

$

908

Bridge loan

$

$

2,814

Vehicle loans

154

187

Total long-term notes and loans payable

$

154

$

3,001

Insurance loans payable

During the second quarter of 2022, the Company renewed its Director and Officer (“D&O”) insurance for a one-year policy premium totaling $2,394. The Company paid $400 as a premium down payment and financed the remaining $1,994 of policy premiums over ten months at a 3.25% annual percentage rate. Additionally, during the third quarter of 2022, the Company expanded its D&O coverage as a result of the acquisition of GVB, resulting in an additional premium down payment of $90 and financing of $168, under the same terms as the original one-year policy.

The Company also has other insurance loans payables related to pollution, and general liability for GVB.

Vehicle Loans

The Company has various vehicle loans with monthly payments ranging from $0.8 to $2.1, interest rates ranging from 0% to 11%, and maturity dates ranging from May 2024 to September 2026.

Estimated future principal payments to be made under the above notes and loans payable as of March 31, 2023 are as follows:

Remainder of 2023

$

271

2024

131

2025

59

2026

7

Total

$

468

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NOTE 9. – OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES, NET

The components of “Other operating expenses, net” were as follows:

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Grass Valley fire:

Professional services and supplies

$

68

$

Total Grass Valley fire

68

Acquisition costs

$

68

$

52

Needlerock Farms settlement

747

Loss on change in warrant liability

139

Loss on change in contingent consideration

22

Gain on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment

(146)

Total other operating expenses, net

$

898

$

52

NOTE 10. – CAPITAL RAISE AND WARRANT ACTIVITY

2022 Capital Raise

On July 21, 2022, the Company and certain institutional investors (the “Investors”) entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) relating to the issuance and sale of shares of common stock pursuant to a registered direct offering (the “Registered Offering” and, together with the Private Placement (as defined below), the “Offerings”). The Investors purchased approximately $35,000 of shares, consisting of an aggregate of 17,073,175 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $2.05 per share, subject to certain restrictions. The net proceeds to the Company from the Offerings, after deducting the fees and the Company’s offering expenses, were $32,484. The Offerings closed on July 25, 2022.

Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, in a concurrent private placement, the Company issued and sold to the Investors warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase up to 17,073,175 shares of common stock (the “Private Placement”). The Warrants are exercisable immediately upon issuance at an exercise price of $2.05 per share of common stock, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, and expire on July 25, 2027.

JGB Warrants

 

In connection with the sale of the Debentures, the Company issued the JGB Warrants to purchase up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock for an exercise price of $1.275 per share. 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. The JGB warrants initial fair value of $4,561 net of issuance costs of $139 (see Note 6), of which half of the warrants meet the criteria for liability classification due to contingent put option which allows the holder to require that the Company redeem the warrants in cash for a purchase price equal to $1.00 upon certain conditional events such as change in control or event of default.  Accordingly, half of the warrants are recorded as Other long-term liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The remainder of the JGB warrants are equity classified and recorded as a component of Capital in excess of par value.

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Omnia Warrants

 

In connection with the Subordinated Note, the Company issued to Omnia, the Omnia Warrants to purchase up to 675,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Omnia Warrants”). The Omnia Warrants are exercisable for seven years from September 3, 2023, 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. The Omnia warrants initial fair value was $1,316 (see Note 6), and meet the criteria for liability classification due to contingent put option which allows the holder to require that the Company redeem the warrants in cash for a purchase price equal to $2.00 upon certain conditional events such as change in control or event of default. The Omnia warrants are recorded as Other long-term liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

ATM Offering

During the first quarter of 2023, the Company established an at-the-market common equity offering program (“ATM Program”), through which it may, from time to time, publicly offer and sell shares of common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $50,000. The Company will pay 3.00% sales commission based on the gross proceeds of the sales price per share of common stock sold. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has $50,000 of available capacity under the ATM Program.

NOTE 11. - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

License agreements and sponsored research – The Company has entered into various license, sponsored research, collaboration, and other agreements (the “Agreements”) with various counterparties in connection with the Company’s plant biotechnology business relating to tobacco, hemp/cannabis and hops. The schedule below summarizes the Company’s commitments, both financial and other, associated with each Agreement. Costs incurred under the Agreements are generally recorded as research and development expenses on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

Future Commitments

Commitment

 

Counter Party

 

Product Relationship

 

Commitment Type

 

2023

 

2024

 

2025

 

2026

2027 & After

Total

    

Research Agreement

KeyGene

Hemp / Cannabis

Contract fee

$

1,955

$

2,057

$

1,589

$

1,302

$

328

$

7,231

(1)

License Agreement

NCSU

Tobacco

Minimum annual royalty

100

100

100

1,000

1,300

(2)

Research Agreement

NCSU

Tobacco

Contract fee

99

99

(3)

Sublicense Agreement

Anandia Laboratories, Inc.

Hemp / Cannabis

Annual license fee

10

10

10

100

130

(4)

Research Agreement

Cannametrix

Hemp / Cannabis

Contract fee

667

666

1,333

(5)

License Agreement

Cannametrix

Hemp / Cannabis

Minimum annual royalty

75

100

1,900

2,075

(6)

Growing Agreements

Various

Tobacco

Contract fee

52

52

(7)

Consulting Agreements

Various

Various

Contract fee

1,132

746

1,878

(8)

$

3,915

$

3,579

$

1,774

$

1,602

$

3,228

$

14,098

(1)Exclusive agreement with the Company in the field of the Cannabis Sativa L. plant. The initial term of the agreement was five years with an option for an additional two years. On April 30, 2021, the Company and KeyGene entered into a First Amended and Restated Framework Collaborative Research Agreement which extended the agreement term, from first-quarter 2024 to first-quarter 2027, and preserves the Company’s option for an additional 2-year extension, now through first quarter of 2029. On March 30, 2022, the Company and KeyGene entered into a new Framework Collaborative Research Agreement for a term of three years at an aggregate cost of $1,830 in the field related to the hops plant.

The Company will exclusively own all results and all intellectual property relating to the results of the collaboration with KeyGene (the "Results”). The Company will pay royalties in varying amounts to KeyGene relating to the Company's commercialization in the stated fields of each agreement. The Company has also granted KeyGene a license to commercialize the Results outside of each field and KeyGene will pay royalties in varying amounts to the Company relating to KeyGene's commercialization of the Results outside of each field.

(2)The minimum annual royalty fee is credited against running royalties on sales of licensed products. The Company is also responsible for reimbursing NCSU for actual third-party patent costs incurred, including capitalized patent costs and patent maintenance costs. These costs vary from year to year and the Company has certain rights to direct the activities that result in these costs.

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(3)On August 19, 2022, the Company entered into a one-year Sponsored Project Agreement with NCSU for continued research of tobacco alkaloid formation.
(4)The Company is also responsible for the payment of certain costs, including, capitalized patent costs and patent maintenance costs, a running royalty on future net sales of products made from the sublicensed intellectual property, and a sharing of future sublicensing consideration received from sublicensing to third parties in all countries except for Canada. Anandia retains all patent rights, and is responsible for all patent maintenance, in Canada.
(5)On March 11, 2022, the Company expanded its research agreement with Cannametrix for hemp/cannabis product development, formulation, and validation for a three-year period at an aggregate cost of $2,000.
(6)The minimum annual royalty fee is credited against running royalties from the sales of goods or services based on Project IP and/or Background IP.
(7)Various R&D growing agreements for hemp/cannabis and tobacco.
(8)General corporate consulting agreements.

Litigation - In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes an accrued liability for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. In such cases, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrued liability. As a litigation or regulatory matter develops, the Company, in conjunction with any outside counsel handling the matter, evaluates on an ongoing basis whether such matter presents a loss contingency that is probable and estimable. If, at the time of evaluation, the loss contingency related to a litigation or regulatory matter is not both probable and estimable, the matter will continue to be monitored for further developments that would make such loss contingency both probable and estimable. When a loss contingency related to a litigation or regulatory matter is deemed to be both probable and estimable, the Company will establish an accrued liability with respect to such loss contingency and record a corresponding amount of related expenses. The Company will then continue to monitor the matter for further developments that could affect the amount of any such accrued liability. 

Class Action

On January 21, 2019, Matthew Jackson Bull, a resident of Denver, Colorado, filed a Complaint against the Company, the Company’s then Chief Executive Officer, Henry Sicignano III, and the Company’s then Chief Financial Officer, John T. Brodfuehrer, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York entitled: Matthew Bull, Individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. 22nd Century Group, Inc., Henry Sicignano III, and John T. Brodfuehrer, Case No. 1:19 cv 00409.

On January 29, 2019, Ian M. Fitch, a resident of Essex County Massachusetts, filed a Complaint against the Company, the Company’s then Chief Executive Officer, Henry Sicignano III, and the Company’s then Chief Financial Officer, John T. Brodfuehrer, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York entitled: Ian Fitch, Individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. 22nd Century Group, Inc., Henry Sicignano III, and John T. Brodfuehrer, Case No. 2:19 cv 00553.

On May 28, 2019, the plaintiff in the Fitch case voluntarily dismissed that action. On August 1, 2019, the Court in the Bull case issued an order designating Joseph Noto, Garden State Tire Corp, and Stephens Johnson as lead plaintiffs.

On September 16, 2019, pursuant to a joint motion by the parties, the Court in the Bull case transferred the class action to federal district court in the Western District of New York, where it remains pending as Case No. 1:19-cv-01285.

Plaintiffs in the Bull case filed an Amended Complaint on November 19, 2019 that alleges three counts: Count I sues the Company and Messrs. Sicignano and Brodfuehrer and alleges that the Company's quarterly and annual reports, SEC filings, press releases and other public statements and documents contained false statements in violation of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5; Count II sues Messrs. Sicignano and Brodfuehrer pursuant to Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act and Rule 10b5(a) and (c); and Count III sues Messrs. Sicignano and Brodfuehrer for the allegedly false statements pursuant to Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act. The Amended Complaint seeks to certify a class, and unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney's fees and costs.

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On January 29, 2020, the Company and Messrs. Sicignano and Brodfuehrer filed a Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint. On January 14, 2021, the Court granted the motion, dismissing all claims with prejudice. The Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on February 12, 2021 to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. On May 24, 2022, after briefing and oral argument, the Second Circuit issued an order affirming in part, and reversing in part, the District Court’s dismissal order. The Second Circuit affirmed the District Court’s dismissal of the claims relating to the non-disclosure of stock promotion articles, but reversed the District Court’s dismissal order of the claims alleging the non-disclosure of an SEC investigation. The Second Circuit noted in its opinion, however, that the District Court had not addressed certain arguments raised by the Company and Messrs. Sicignano and Brodfuehrer in the Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint as to these remaining claims, and remanded the case to the District Court to address these arguments for the dismissal of the remaining claims. On August 8, 2022, the Company and Messrs. Sicignano and Brodfuehrer filed a renewed motion to dismiss the remaining claims in the Amended Complaint to address the arguments not previously addressed by the District Court. On September 22, 2022, Plaintiffs filed a brief in opposition to the motion. On October 12, 2022, the Company and Messrs. Sicignano and Brodfuehrer filed a reply brief in further support of the motion. On January 6, 2023, the District Court denied the motion to dismiss, and the case will proceed forward on the remaining claims. No trial date has been set.

The parties participated in a mediation on March 21, 2023 and reached an initial memorandum of understanding for settlement in principle to resolve the litigation and release all claims against the Company. On April 25, 2023, the parties filed with the Court the Motion for Preliminary Approval of the Settlement, which includes the final terms of the proposed settlement. This motion remains pending, and if preliminarily approved, the Court will then schedule a later hearing to consider the final approval of the settlement to conclude the litigation. The settlement amount that the defendants are expected to pay is $3,000 and is fully covered by the Company’s insurance. Accordingly, the Company has recorded an accrual for litigation settlement and corresponding indemnification receivable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2023.

We believe that the claims are frivolous, meritless and that the Company and Messrs. Sicignano and Brodfuehrer have substantial legal and factual defenses to the remaining claims. We intend to vigorously defend the Company and Messrs. Sicignano and Brodfuehrer against such claims.

Shareholder Derivative Cases

On February 6, 2019, Melvyn Klein, a resident of Nassau County New York, filed a shareholder derivative claim against the Company, the Company’s then Chief Executive Officer, Henry Sicignano III, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, John T. Brodfuehrer, and each member of the Company’s Board of Directors in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York entitled: Melvyn Klein, derivatively on behalf of 22nd Century Group v. Henry Sicignano, III, Richard M. Sanders, Joseph Alexander Dunn, Nora B. Sullivan, James W. Cornell, John T. Brodfuehrer and 22nd Century Group, Inc., Case No. 1:19 cv 00748. Mr. Klein brings this action derivatively alleging that (i) the director defendants supposedly breached their fiduciary duties for allegedly allowing the Company to make false statements; (ii) the director defendants supposedly wasted corporate assets to defend this lawsuit and the other related lawsuits; (iii) the defendants allegedly violated Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act and Rule 10b 5 promulgated thereunder for allegedly approving or allowing false statements regarding the Company to be made; and (iv) the director defendants allegedly violated Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act and Rule 14a 9 promulgated thereunder for allegedly approving or allowing false statements regarding the Company to be made in the Company’s proxy statement.

On February 11, 2019, Stephen Mathew filed a shareholder derivative claim against the Company, the Company’s then Chief Executive Officer, Henry Sicignano III, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, John T. Brodfuehrer, and each member of the Company’s Board of Directors in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Erie, entitled: Stephen Mathew, derivatively on behalf of 22nd Century Group, Inc. v. Henry Sicignano, III, John T. Brodfuehrer, Richard M. Sanders, Joseph Alexander Dunn, James W. Cornell, Nora B. Sullivan and 22nd Century Group, Inc., Index No. 801786/2019. Mr. Mathew brings this action derivatively generally alleging the same allegations as in the Klein case. The Complaint seeks declaratory relief, unspecified monetary damages, corrective corporate governance actions, and attorney’s fees and costs.

On August 15, 2019, the Court consolidated the Mathew and Klein actions pursuant to a stipulation by the parties (Western District of New York, Case No. 1-19-cv-0513). On May 3, 2019, the Court ordered the Mathew case stayed. This stay was applied to the Consolidated Action pursuant to the Court’s August 15, 2019 Order Consolidated Related Shareholder Derivative Actions and Establishing a Leadership Structure. As a result of the Court’s denial of the renewed Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint, the May 3, 2019 stay will be lifted. No trial date has been set. We believe that the claims are frivolous, meritless and that the Company

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and the individual defendants have substantial legal and factual defenses to the claims. We intend to vigorously defend the Company and the individual defendants against such claims.

On June 10, 2019, Judy Rowley filed a shareholder derivative claim against the Company, the Company’s then Chief Executive Officer, Henry Sicignano III, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, John T. Brodfuehrer, and each member of the Company’s Board of Directors in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Erie, entitled: Judy Rowley, derivatively on behalf of 22nd Century Group, Inc. v. Henry Sicignano, III, Richard M. Sanders, Joseph Alexander Dunn, Nora B. Sullivan, James W. Cornell, John T. Brodfuehrer, and 22nd Century Group, Inc., Index No. 807214/2019. Ms. Rowley brought the action derivatively alleging that the director defendants supposedly breached their fiduciary duties by allegedly allowing the Company to make false statements. The Complaint sought declaratory relief, unspecified monetary damages, corrective corporate governance actions, and attorney’s fees and costs. We believe that the claims are frivolous, meritless and that the Company and the individual defendants have substantial legal and factual defenses to the claims. We intend to vigorously defend the Company and the individual defendants against such claims. On September 13, 2019, the Court ordered the litigation stayed pursuant to a joint stipulation by the parties. On August 3, 2022, Plaintiff dismissed the case with prejudice by filing a stipulation of discontinuance with the Court. This dismissal was not pursuant to a settlement.

On January 15, 2020, Kevin Broccuto filed a shareholder derivative claim against the Company, the Company's then Chief Executive Officer, Henry Sicignano III, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, John T. Brodfuehrer, and certain members of the Company's prior Board of Directors in the District Court of the State of Nevada, County of Clark, entitled: Kevin Broccuto, derivatively on behalf of 22nd Century Group, Inc. v. James W. Cornell, Richard M. Sanders, Nora B. Sullivan, Henry Sicignano, III, and John T. Brodfuehrer, Case No. A-20-808599. Mr. Broccuto brings this action derivatively alleging three counts: Count I alleges that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties; Count II alleges they committed corporate waste; and Count III that they were unjustly enriched, by allegedly allowing the Company to make false statements.

On February 11, 2020, Jerry Wayne filed a shareholder derivative claim against the Company, the Company's then Chief Executive Officer, Henry Sicignano III, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, John T. Brodfuehrer, and certain members of the Company's prior Board of Directors in the District Court of the State of Nevada, County of Clark, entitled: Jerry Wayne, derivatively on behalf of 22nd Century Group, Inc. v. James W. Cornell, Richard M. Sanders, Nora B. Sullivan, Henry Sicignano, III, and John T. Brodfuehrer, Case No. A-20-808599. Mr. Wayne brings this action derivatively alleging generally the same allegations as the Broccuto case. The Complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages, corrective corporate governance actions, disgorgement of alleged profits and imposition of constructive trusts, and attorney's fees and costs. The Complaint also seeks to declare as unenforceable the Company's Bylaw requiring derivative lawsuits to be filed in Erie County, New York, where the Company is headquartered.

On March 25, 2020, the Court ordered the Broccuto and Wayne cases consolidated and stayed pursuant to a joint stipulation from the parties. On June 27, 2022, the Court ordered that the stay continue until thirty (30) days after the District Court rules on the renewed Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint in the Noto Class Action case. As a result of the Court’s denial of the Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint, the June 27, 2022 stay will be lifted. No trial date has been set. The parties participated in a mediation on March 21, 2023, which process is continuing.

We believe that the claims are frivolous, meritless and that the Company and the individual defendants have substantial legal and factual defenses to the claims. We intend to vigorously defend the Company and the individual defendants against such claims.

Needle Rock Farms – Settlement Agreement

During March 2023, the Company negotiated and entered into a settlement agreement related to water rights dispute with the adjacent property owner for Needle Rock Farms in which the Company agreed to pay $250 in cash upon execution of the settlement, transferred certain farm equipment with net book value of $272, and accrued an additional payment of $225 that is contingent on either the sale of the farm or will be paid within one year. The total charges of $747 recorded in connection with the settlement agreement is included within Other operating expenses, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

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NOTE 12 – EQUITY- BASED COMPENSATION

On May 20, 2021, the shareholders of 22nd Century Group, Inc. (the “Company”) approved the 22nd Century Group, Inc. 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”). The 2021 Plan allows for the granting of equity awards to eligible individuals over the life of the 2021 Plan, including the issuance of up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, in addition to any remaining shares under the Company’s 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan pursuant to awards under the 2021 Plan. The 2021 Plan has a term of ten years and is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors to determine the various types of incentive awards that may be granted to recipients under the 2021 Plan and the number of shares of common stock to underlie each such award under the 2021 Plan. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had available 203,691 shares remaining for future awards under the 2021 Plan.

Compensation Expense – The Company recognized the following compensation costs, net of actual forfeitures, related to restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and stock options:

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Sales, general, and administrative

$

1,124

$

1,171

Research and development

 

51

 

42

Total RSUs and stock option compensation

$

1,175

$

1,213

Restricted Stock Units – We typically grant RSUs to employees and non-employee directors. The following table summarizes the changes in unvested RSUs from January 1, 2023 through March 31, 2023.

Unvested RSUs

Weighted

Average

Number of

Grant-date

    

Shares

    

Fair Value

in thousands

$ per share

Unvested at January 1, 2023

 

4,033

$

2.13

Granted

 

4,392

0.83

Vested

(1,828)

2.08

Forfeited

(28)

2.42

Unvested at March 31, 2023

6,569

1.27

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The fair value of RSUs that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2023 was approximately $1,590 based on the stock price at the time of vesting. As of March 31, 2023, unrecognized compensation expense for RSUs amounted to $6,975 which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.7 years. In addition, there is approximately $1,114 of unrecognized compensation expense that requires the achievement of certain milestones which are not yet probable.

Stock Options – Our outstanding stock options were valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model on the date of the award. There was no stock option grant activity during the three months ended March 31, 2023. A summary of the status of stock options activity since January 1, 2023 and at March 31, 2023 is as follows:

Weighted

Weighted

Average

Average

Remaining

Aggregate

Number of

Exercise

Contractual

Intrinsic

    

Options

    

Price

    

Term

    

Value

in thousands

$ per share

Outstanding at January 1, 2023

 

4,912

$

1.65

 

  

 

 

  

Expired

 

(103)

$

2.76

 

  

 

 

  

Forfeited

 

(3)

$

2.76

 

  

 

 

  

Outstanding at March 31, 2023

 

4,806

$

1.65

 

2.1

years

 

$

Exercisable at March 31, 2023

 

4,706

$

1.63

 

2.0

years

 

$

The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the current market value or the market value upon exercise of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option.

As of March 31, 2023, there is approximately $190 of unrecognized compensation expense for stock options that requires the achievement of certain milestones which are not yet probable.

NOTE 13. – EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Outstanding warrants, options and RSUs were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS as the effect was antidilutive.

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

(in thousands, except for per-share data)

Net loss

$

(18,182)

$

(8,918)

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

 

215,784

163,157

Net loss per common share - basic and diluted

$

(0.08)

$

(0.05)

Anti-dilutive shares are as follows as of March 31:

Warrants

22,748

Options

4,806

5,171

Restricted stock units

6,569

4,037

34,123

9,208

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NOTE 14. – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following table is a summary of the components and activity of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”) as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

Corporate

Foreign

securities/

Translation

Pre-tax

Net of

    

investments

    

Adjustment

    

Amount

    

Tax

    

Tax Amount

Balance at January 1, 2023

 

$

(112)

$

1

$

(111)

$

$

(111)

Unrealized gain on short-term investment securities

 

61

61

61

Foreign currency translation

(4)

(4)

(4)

Reclassification of realized losses to net loss

13

13

13

Balance at March 31, 2023

$

(38)

$

(3)

$

(41)

$

$

(41)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

Corporate

Foreign

securities/

Translation

Pre-tax

Net of

    

investments

    

Adjustment

    

Amount

    

Tax

    

Tax Amount

Balance at January 1, 2022

 

$

(162)

$

$

(162)

$

$

(162)

Unrealized loss on short-term investment securities

 

(400)

(400)

(400)

Balance at March 31, 2022

$

(562)

$

$

(562)

$

$

(562)

NOTE 15. – REVENUE RECOGNITION

Tobacco

The Company’s tobacco reportable segment revenues are derived primarily from contract manufacturing organization (“CMO”) customer contracts that consist of obligations to manufacture the customers’ branded filtered cigars and cigarettes. Additional revenues are generated from sale of the Company’s proprietary low nicotine content cigarettes, sold under the brand name VLN®, or research cigarettes sold under the brand name SPECTRUM®.

The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of the product to a customer. For certain CMO contracts, the performance obligation is satisfied over time as the Company determines, due to contract restrictions, it does not have an alternative use of the product and it has an enforceable right to payment as the product is manufactured. The Company recognizes revenue under those contracts at the unit price stated in the contract based on the units manufactured. Tobacco revenue from the sale of the Company’s products, which include excise taxes and shipping and handling charges billed to customers, is recognized net of cash discounts, sales returns and allowances. There was no allowance for discounts or returns and allowances at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Excise taxes recorded in Cost of Goods Sold on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were $2,695 and $2,719, respectively.

Hemp/Cannabis

The Company’s hemp/cannabis reportable segment revenues are derived primarily from a CBD wholesale extracts and bulk ingredient distillate or isolate. Additional revenues are generated from private/white label contract manufacturing.

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The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of the product to a customer. Revenue is recorded at the estimated amount of consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled. For certain sales where the company licenses its formulations for hemp-based products, it recognizes revenue once the products have been sold to customers by the licensee.

When applicable, the Company pays imports duties in the various countries to which it sends products to and bills the customer for such import costs. The Company recognizes the import duties as part of revenue in accordance with ASC 606.

There are no material sales provisions or volume discounts that provide variability in recording revenue amounts.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The Company’s net revenue is derived from customers located primarily in the United States and is disaggregated by major product line because the Company believes it best depicts the nature, amount, and timing of revenue and cash flows. Revenue recognized from Tobacco products transferred to customers over time represented 66% and 74%, for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. There was no revenue recognized from Hemp/cannabis products that were transferred to customers over time for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

2023

    

2022

Tobacco

$

8,927

$

9,045

Hemp/cannabis

 

13,035

 

Total revenues, net

$

21,962

$

9,045

The following table presents net revenues by significant customers, which are defined as any customer who individually represents 10% or more of disaggregated product line net revenues:

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

2023

2022

Tobacco

Hemp/cannabis

Tobacco

Hemp/cannabis

Customer A

36.15

%

*

21.69

%

*

Customer B

*

*

10.98

%

*

Customer C

27.05

%

*

26.66

%

*

Customer D

18.51

%

*

32.85

%

*

Customer E

*

17.75

%

*

*

Customer F

*

10.29

%

*

*

Customer G

*

*

*

*

All other customers

18.29

%

71.96

%

7.82

%

*

*Less than 10% of product line’s total revenues for the period.

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Contract Assets and Liabilities

Unbilled receivables (contract assets) represent revenues recognized for performance obligations that have been satisfied but have not been billed. These receivables are included as Accounts receivable, net on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Customer payment terms vary depending on the terms of each customer contract, but payment is generally due prior to product shipment or within credit terms up to 30 days after shipment. Deferred income (contract liabilities) relates to down payments received from customers in advance of satisfying a performance obligation and is included as Deferred income on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Total contract assets and contract liabilities are as follows:

March 31, 

December 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Unbilled receivables

 

$

1,549

 

$

354

Deferred income

(257)

(831)

Net contract assets (liabilities)

$

1,292

$

(477)

During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized $802 and $119 of revenue that was included in the contract liability balance as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 respectively.

N

NOTE 16. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

The Company organizes its business into two reportable segments: (1) Tobacco and (2) Hemp/Cannabis. This segment structure reflects the financial information and reports used by the Company’s management, specifically its Chief Operating Decision Maker, to make decisions regarding the Company’s business, including resource allocations and performance assessments. This segment structure reflects the Company’s current operating focus in compliance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting.

The Company defines segment income from operations as revenues, net less cost of goods sold and expenses attributable to segment-specific selling, general, administrative, research, development, and other operating activities. The remaining unallocated operating and other income and expenses are primarily administrative corporate overhead expenses such as corporate personnel costs, equity compensation, investor relations, strategic consulting, research and development costs that apply broadly to the overall plant science platform, and that are not allocated to reportable segments. Unallocated corporate assets consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investment securities, prepaid and other assets, property and equipment, and intangible assets. Transactions between the two segments are not significant.

The following table presents revenues, net by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Tobacco

$

8,927

$

9,045

Hemp/cannabis

 

13,035

 

Total revenues, net

$

21,962

$

9,045

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The following table presents income from continuing operations for the Company’s reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Tobacco

$

2,904

$

959

Hemp/cannabis

 

6,165

 

830

Total segment operating loss

9,069

1,789

Unallocated operating expenses

8,754

6,357

Operating loss

17,823

8,146

Unallocated other expense, net

359

772

Loss before income taxes

$

18,182

$

8,918

The following table presents total assets for the Company’s reportable segments as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

March 31, 

December 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Tobacco

$

20,459

$

15,748

Hemp/cannabis

 

66,610

 

65,965

Total reportable segments

87,069

81,713

Unallocated assets

37,069

32,938

Total assets

$

124,138

$

114,651

The following table presents capital expenditures for the Company’s reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Tobacco

$

277

$

162

Hemp/cannabis

 

1,441

 

-

Total reportable segments

1,718

162

Unallocated expenditures for long-lived tangible assets

192

96

Total expenditures

$

1,910

$

258

NOTE 17. – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On April 4, 2023, a subsidiary of 22nd Century Group, Inc. (the Company) entered into a License and Distribution Agreement (the Agreement) with Cookies Creative Consulting & Promotions, Inc. (Cookies). Pursuant to the Agreement, Cookies granted the Company an exclusive license to manufacture and distribute certain Cookies branded hemp-derived hemp/cannabis products to retailers within the United States for a period of three years, with the Company having an option to extend the Agreement for an additional three-year period if certain retailer milestones are met during the initial term.

During the term of the Agreement, the Company will pay Cookies a monthly license fee equal to a percentage of the net profits generated by the Company under the Agreement. In consideration for the exclusivity under the Agreement, the Company agreed to issue Cookies 5,000,000 shares of unregistered common stock of the Company, subject to a lock-up during the first year after the issuance.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with, our audited consolidated financial statements, the accompanying notes and the MD&A included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as well as our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. Note references are to the notes to consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

For purposes of this MD&A, references to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to the operations of 22nd Century Group, Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries for the periods described herein. In addition, dollars are in thousands, except per share data or unless otherwise specified.

Forward Looking Statements

Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this section are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements typically contain terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “consider,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “explore,” “foresee,” “goal,” “guidance,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “preliminary,” “probable,” “project,” “promising,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions. Actual results might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are set forth in “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2023. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. All information provided in this quarterly report is as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Our Business

22nd Century Group, Inc. is a leading biotechnology company focused on utilizing advanced 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.

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Table of Contents

Recent Business Acquisitions and Other Events

On January 19, 2023, we acquired RX Pharmatech Ltd (“RXP”), a privately held leading United Kingdom distributor of cannabinoids with 1,276 novel food applications with the U.K. Food Standards Agency (“FSA”). RXP’s products include CBD isolate and numerous variations of finished products like gummies, oils, drops, candies, tinctures, sprays, capsules and others.
On March 3, 2023, the Company announced a $21,053 senior credit facility to fund increased working capital needs related to the significant consumer demand for its VLN® product and GVB business lines.
oThe new three-year credit facility was issued at 5% original issuance discount (OID) and will bear cash interest at a rate of 7% per annum.
In Q1 2023, the company launched a new single source, turnkey contract development, manufacturing and distribution service offering (CDMO+D) for the largest consumer brand companies in the hemp/cannabis sector. This new CDMO+D service offering includes ingredient supply, white label manufacturing and retail category management and distribution .
oOn April 4, 2023, we entered into a License and Distribution Agreement (the Agreement) with Cookies Creative Consulting & Promotions, Inc. (Cookies). Pursuant to the Agreement, Cookies granted the Company an exclusive license to manufacture and distribute certain Cookies branded hemp-derived hemp/cannabis products to retailers within the United States for a period of three years, with the Company having an option to extend the Agreement for an additional three-year period if certain retailer milestones are met during the initial term. Refer to Note 2 “Business Acquisitions,” Note 7 “Debt,” and Note 17 “Subsequent Events” of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 of this report for additional information.

Financial Overview

Net revenues for the first quarter of 2023 were $21,962, an increase of 142.8% from $9,045 in 2022.
oRevenue from tobacco-related products for the first quarter was $8,927 compared to $9,045 in the prior year first quarter reflecting a decrease in unit sales of filtered cigars.
oRevenue from hemp/cannabis-related products was $13,035, compared to $0 in the prior year first quarter, reflecting the acquisition of GVB. Sequential revenues in the first quarter of 2023 increased by $3,780 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 due to continued strong demand for bulk ingredients.
Gross profit for the first quarter of 2023 was a loss of $1,177 compared to profit of $309 in the prior year period.
oGross profit from tobacco-related products was $19, a decrease of $290 compared to the prior year period, reflecting lower margin sales mix in contract manufacturing products and increased excise taxes.
oGross profit from hemp/cannabis-related products was a loss of $1,196 compared to $0 in the prior year. Margin declines in the first quarter were primarily due to ongoing impacts of the Grass Valley fire.
Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2023 increased to $16,646 compared to $8,455 in the prior year quarter driven by:
oSales, general and administrative expenses increased to $14,231 driven primarily by the acquisition of GVB, higher strategic consulting and marketing, legal, and personnel costs to expand the launch of VLN®.
oResearch and development expenses increased to $1,517, driven by personnel expenses and costs associated with the Company’s hemp/cannabis and hops research programs.
oOther operating expenses, net was $898, primarily reflecting settlement, acquisition costs and other non-recurring charges.
Operating loss for the first quarter 2023 was $17,823, compared to a loss of $8,146 in the prior year period.
Net loss in the first quarter of 2023 was $18,182, representing a net loss per share of $0.08 compared with net loss in the first quarter of 2022 of $8,918, representing a net loss per share of $0.05.

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As of March 31, 2023, we had $16,227 in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments securities and $7,500 in restricted cash pursuant to the Senior Secured Credit Facility.
During the first quarter of 2023, the Company received $5,000 of casualty loss insurance recoveries from the Grass Valley fire with initial business interruption insurance claim proceeds expected to be received during the second quarter of 2023.

Our Financial Results

Three Months Ended

March 31 

March 31 

Change

    

2023

    

2022

$

%

Tobacco revenues, net

$

8,927

$

9,045

$

(118)

(1.3)

Hemp/cannabis revenues, net

13,035

13,035

NM

Total revenues, net

21,962

9,045

12,917

142.8

Cost of goods sold

23,139

8,736

14,403

164.9

Gross (loss) profit

(1,177)

309

(1,486)

(480.3)

Gross (loss) profit as a % of revenues, net

(5.4)

%

3.4

%

Operating expenses:

Sales, general and administrative ("SG&A")

14,231

7,262

6,969

96.0

SG&A as a % of revenues, net

64.8

%

80.3

%

Research and development ("R&D")

1,517

1,141

376

33.0

R&D as a % of revenues, net

6.9

%

12.6

%

Other operating expenses, net ("OOE")

898

52

846

NM

Total operating expenses

16,646

8,455

8,191

96.9

Operating loss

(17,823)

(8,146)

(9,677)

118.8

Operating loss as a % of revenues, net

(81.2)

%

(90.1)

%

Other income (expense):

Unrealized loss on investment

-

(817)

817

NM

Other income, net

5

-

5

NM

Interest income, net

57

50

7

14.0

Interest expense

(421)

(5)

(416)

NM

Total other expense

(359)

(772)

413

(53.5)

Loss before income taxes

(18,182)

(8,918)

(9,264)

103.9

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

-

-

-

-

Net loss

$

(18,182)

$

(8,918)

(9,264)

103.9

Net loss as a % of revenues, net

(82.8)

%

(98.6)

%

Net loss per common share (basic and diluted)

$

(0.08)

$

(0.05)

(0.03)

60.0

NM - calculated change not meaningful

Refer to Note 16, “Segment and Geographic Information,” of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 of this report for additional information regarding operating results for our two operating and reportable segments: (1) Tobacco, (2) Hemp/cannabis.

First Quarter 2023 Compared with First Quarter 2022

Revenue, net

Three Months Ended

March 31 

March 31 

Change

2023

    

2022

$

%

Tobacco

$

8,927

$

9,045

$

(118)

(1.3)

Hemp/cannabis

13,035

13,035

NM

Total revenues, net

$

21,962

$

9,045

12,917

142.8

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The increase in revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, was primarily due to the increase in hemp/cannabis revenue of $13,035 due to the acquisition of GVB.

oTobacco revenue was $8,927, a decrease of 1.3% from the first quarter of 2022, reflecting a planned reallocation in production resources at the Company’s NASCO facilities away from lower margin filtered cigars to higher margin VLN® and conventional cigarette products. First quarter 2023 cartons sold of 1,002 compared to 1,382 in the comparable prior year period.
oHemp/cannabis revenue was $13,035, compared to $0 in the prior year first quarter, reflecting the acquisition of GVB and continued sequential quarterly growth in ingredient supply sales. First quarter 2023 bulk ingredient sales volume in kilograms was 68,195 compared to 16,524 in the comparable prior year period (prior to the GVB acquisition that occurred on May 13, 2022), and compared to 39,605 in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Gross (loss) profit

Three Months Ended

March 31 

March 31 

Change

2023

    

2022

$

Gross (loss) profit

$

(1,177)

$

309

(1,486)

Percent of Revenues, net

(5.4)

%

3.4

%

The decrease in gross profit and gross profit as a percent of revenues, net for the three month period-ended March 31, 2023 as compared to March 31, 2022 is driven by ($290) decline in tobacco gross profit driven mainly by lower volume and product mix and ($1,196) in hemp/cannabis gross profit resulting from reflecting costs associated with buying and selling ingredients while the Company rebuilds its distillate and isolate manufacturing capacity following the November 2022 Grass Valley fire.

oInitial expected business interruption insurance claims for the first quarter of 2023 to offset margin losses is anticipated to be approximately $2,258, driven by price increases on raw materials as a result of sourcing through third parties as compared to in-house processing. Additional business interruption claim recoveries are expected during the remainder of 2023.

Sales, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense

Change 2023 vs 2022

$

%

Compensation and benefits (a)

$

1,100

39.1

Legal

(22)

(3.1)

Strategic consulting (b)

1,742

77.3

Sales and marketing (c)

314

256.8

Other (d)

504

36.9

GVB (e)

3,331

100.0

Net increase in SG&A expenses

$

6,969

96.0

(a) Increases in compensation and benefits is mainly attributable to inflationary increases, as well as increases in corporate headcount as our organization continues scaling.

(b) Increase of strategic consulting due to additional business development, recruitment, and investor relations expenses.

(c) Increases due to the ongoing expansion and accelerated launch of VLN®.

(d) Other expenses increased due to $154 of travel and entertainment, $120 of technology expenses, and other $343, offset by a decrease in insurance expenses of $113.

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(e) Increased SG&A as a result of the acquisition of GVB on May 13, 2022, including corporate personnel costs and general overhead.

Research and development (“R&D”) expense

Change 2023 vs 2022

$

%

Compensation and benefits (a)

$

266

227.9

Contract costs

(17)

(2.4)

Consulting and professional services

3

5.5

Other

87

33.9

GVB

37

100.0

Net increase in R&D expenses

$

376

33.0

(a) Increased compensation and benefits related to the additional executive and R&D personnel in the current year.

Other operating expenses, net (“OOE”)

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Grass Valley fire:

Professional services and supplies

$

68

$

Total Grass Valley fire

68

Acquisition costs

68

52

Needlerock Farms settlement (a)

747

Loss on change in warrant liability (b)

139

Gain on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment (c)

(146)

Loss on change in contingent consideration

22

Total other operating expenses, net

$

898

$

52

(a)Expenses associated with non-ordinary course legal matters and corresponding settlement related to water rights dispute for Needle Rock Farms.
(b)Represents change in fair value of warrant liability resulting from remeasurement as of March 31, 2023.
(c)Reflects gain on sale resulting from sale of older tobacco manufacturing equipment.

Refer to Note 9, “Other operating expenses, net,” of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 of this report for additional information regarding these charges.

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Table of Contents

Other income (expense)

Three Months Ended

March 31 

March 31 

Change

    

2023

    

2022

$

%

Other income (expense):

Unrealized loss on investment (a)

$

-

$

(817)

$

817

NM

Other income, net

5

-

5

NM

Interest income, net

57

50

7

14.0

Interest expense (b)

(421)

(5)

(416)

NM

Total other expense

$

(359)

$

(772)

$

413

(53.5)

NM - calculated change not meaningful

(a) Unrealized loss on investment includes fair value adjustments for our investment in Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc. (“PLSH”) during the three month-period ended March 31, 2022.  The investment was subsequently liquidated during 2022.

(b) Interest expense increased in 2023, as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the interest recognized from the Senior Secured Credit Facility and Subordinated Note, as described below under ‘Liquidity and Capital Resources.’

Liquidity and Capital Resources

March 31 

December 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Cash and cash equivalents

$

10,952

$

3,020

Short-term investment securities

$

5,275

 

$

18,193

Restricted cash

$

7,500

 

$

Working capital

$

24,268

 

$

31,587

Working Capital

As of March 31, 2023, we had working capital of $24,268 compared to working capital of $31,587 at December 31, 2022 a decrease of $7,319. This decrease in working capital was primarily due to a $3,467 decrease in net current assets and was offset by an increase in net current liabilities of $3,852. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investment securities decreased by $4,986 and the remaining net current assets increased by $1,519.

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Table of Contents

Summary of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Cash provided by (used in):

Operating activities

$

(17,500)

$

(7,928)

Investing activities

 

14,723

 

 

8,772

Financing activities

 

18,209

 

 

(596)

Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

$

15,432

 

$

248

Net cash used in operating activities

Cash used in operating activities increased $9,572 from $7,928 in 2022 to $17,500 in 2023. The primary driver for this increase was higher net loss of $9,264, driven by increased SG&A and R&D both from the acquisition of GVB and acceleration of the launch of VLN®, an increase of $342 related to net adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash, and an increase in cash used for working capital components related to operations in the amount of $650 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Net cash provided by investing activities

Cash provided by investing activities amounted to $14,723 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to cash provided by investing activities of $8,772 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in cash provided by investing activities of $5,951 was the result of (i) $3,500 of property, plant and equipment casualty loss insurance proceeds collected in the current period; (ii) an increase in net proceeds from short-term investments of $3,142; (iii) $682 from the investment in Change Agronomy Ltd. in the prior year period; (iv) $200 of proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment; and (v) $90 from the acquisition of RXP. These increased cash inflows were partially offset by increased cash outflow of $1,663 related to the acquisitions of patents, trademarks and property, plant and equipment.

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, cash provided by financing activities increased by $18,805 resulting from the proceeds of $16,849 from issuance of long-term debt and the proceeds of $6,016 from issuance of detachable warrants. These cash inflows were offset by payments of debt issuance costs of $801, increased note payable payments of $2,916, and taxes paid related to net share settlement of RSUs of $414.

Cash demands on operations

Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash and cash equivalents, short-term investment securities, cash generated from our tobacco contract manufacturing business and hemp/cannabis business and proceeds from debt and equity financing activities. As of March 31, 2023, we had approximately $16,227 of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. We also have business interruption coverage, which we continue pursuing in connection with such incident and anticipate initial payments on our claims to commence in the second quarter of 2023.

Our cash, cash equivalents, short-term investment securities, insurance proceeds, and credit facility financing, as well as the sustained tobacco contract manufacturing and hemp/cannabis sales, will provide sufficient resources for estimated contractual commitments, described further in Note 11 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein, and normal cash requirements for operations well beyond the next twelve months. We continue evaluating our capital and financing requirements, as compared with the significant anticipated growth with the accelerated launch and expansion of VLN®, rebuild of GVB’s production capabilities following the Grass Valley fire, and our new CDMO+D contracts, to ensure we meet our success based strategic initiatives.

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New Senior Secured Credit Facility

On March 3, 2023, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “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 Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to sell to the Purchasers (i) 5% Original Issue Discount Senior Secured Debentures (the “Debentures”) with an aggregate principal amount of $21,053 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”), for a total purchase price of $20,000.

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 $1,053, 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 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.

Omnia Subordinated Note

On March 3, 2023, the Company executed a Subordinated Promissory Note (the “Subordinated Note”) with a principal amount of $2,865 in favor of Omnia Ventures, LP (“Omnia”). The Subordinated Note refinanced the 12% Secured Promissory Note with a principal amount of $1,000 dated as of October 29, 2021 payable to Omnia (the “October Note”) and the 12% Secured Promissory Note with a principal amount of $1,500 dated as of January 14, 2022 payable to Omnia (the “January Note”, and together with the October Note, the “Original Notes”), 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 interest payments in-kind (the “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 maturity date of the Subordinated Note is May 1, 2024.

ATM Offering

On March 9, 2023 the Company entered into a Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Cowen and Company, LLC (the “Sales Agent”) under which the Company may issue and sell in a registered offering shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50,000 from time to time through or to the Sales Agent (the “ATM Offering”). The Company currently intends to use any net proceeds from this ATM Offering for general corporate purposes, including potentially expanding existing businesses, acquiring businesses and investing in other business opportunities, for expansion and acceleration of the launch of the Company’s VLN® reduced nicotine content tobacco cigarettes in additional markets, research and development expenses, procurement and development of additional intellectual property rights and working capital.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, each time that the Company wishes to issue and sell shares of common stock, it will notify the Sales Agent and the Sales Agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its sales and trading practices, to solicit offers to purchase the common stock shares under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Sales Agreement.

 

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The Company will pay the Sales Agent 3.00% of the gross proceeds of the sales price per share of common stock sold through the Sales Agent under the Sales Agreement. In addition, the Company will reimburse the Sales Agent for certain fees and disbursements to its legal counsel incurred in connection with entering into the transactions contemplated by the Sales Agreement in an amount not to exceed $75 in the aggregate.

 

Sales of the Company’s common stock through or to the Sales Agent, if any, will be made in transactions that are deemed to be “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company is not obligated to make any sales of its common stock under the Sales Agreement and may at any time suspend offers under the Sales Agreement. The Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of all of the Company’s common stock subject to the Sales Agreement, or (ii) termination of the Sales Agreement as permitted therein.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Our estimates, assumptions and judgments are based on historical experience and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Making estimates, assumptions and judgments about future events is inherently unpredictable and is subject to significant uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control. Management believes the estimates, assumptions and judgments employed and resulting balances reported in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are reasonable; however, actual results could differ materially.

Except as described below, there have been no material changes to the information set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Contingent consideration

Contingent consideration is a financial liability recorded at fair value. The amount of contingent consideration to be paid is based on the occurrence of future events, such as the achievement of certain revenue milestones. Accordingly, the estimate of fair value contains uncertainties as it involves judgment about the likelihood and timing of achieving these milestones as well as the discount rate used. Changes in fair value of the contingent consideration liability result from changes to the assumptions used to estimate the probability of success for each milestone, the anticipated timing of achieving the milestones and the discount period and rate to be applied. A change in any of these assumptions could produce a different fair value, which could have a material impact on the results from operations. The impact of changes in key assumptions are described in Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Detachable Warrants

Warrants issued pursuant to debt or equity offerings that the Company may be required to redeem through payment of cash or other assets outside its control are classified as liabilities and therefore measured at fair value. The Company uses a Monte Carlo valuation model to estimate fair value at each issuance and period-end date. The key assumptions used in the model are the expected future volatility in the price of the Company’s shares and the expected life of the warrants. The impact of changes in key assumptions are described in Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In the normal course of business, we evaluate all new accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, SEC, or other authoritative accounting bodies to determine the potential impact they may have on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note 1 “Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 of this report for additional information about these recently issued accounting standards and their potential impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

There have been no material changes to the information set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a)

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) reports are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q to ensure information required to be disclosed is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified by SEC rules, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as required by paragraph (b) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15.

(b)

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting:

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company's internal controls over financial reporting expanded to include those inherited from the acquisition of GVB and RXP, which are currently under evaluation by management. There were no additional changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

See Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies – Litigation - to our consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report for information concerning our on-going litigation. In addition to the lawsuits described in Note 11, from time to time we may be involved in claims arising in the ordinary course of business. To our knowledge other than the cases described in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements, no material legal proceedings, governmental actions, investigations or claims are currently pending against us or involve us that, in the opinion of our management, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on March 9, 2023.

Nasdaq may delist our common stock from trading on its exchange which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our common stock and subject us to additional trading restrictions.

Our common stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. If Nasdaq delists our common stock from trading on its exchange, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:

a limited availability of market quotations for our common stock;
reduced liquidity with respect to our securities;
a determination that shares of our common stock are “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our shares to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our shares;
a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and
a decreased ability to issue additional common stock or obtain additional financing in the future.

On March 31, 2023, the Company received a deficiency letter from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department notifying the Company that, for the last 30 consecutive business days, the closing bid price for the Company’s common stock has been below the minimum $1.00 per share required for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (“Rule 5550(a)(2)”). In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company has been given 180 calendar days, or until September 27, 2023, to regain compliance with Rule 5550(a)(2). If the Company does not regain compliance with Rule 5550(a)(2) by September 27, 2023, the Company may be afforded a second 180 calendar day period to regain compliance. To qualify, the Company would be required to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for the Nasdaq Capital Market, except for the minimum bid price requirement. In addition, the Company would be required to provide written notice to Nasdaq of its intent to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period. The Company intends to monitor the closing bid price of its common stock and may, if appropriate, consider implementing available options to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement under the Nasdaq Listing Rules such as a reverse stock split.

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

RX Pharmaceutical, Ltd.

On January 19, 2023, the Company acquired RX Pharmatech Ltd (“RXP”). The initial consideration paid to acquire RXP included $200 in cash and $503 in common stock (consisting of 465,838 unregistered shares of common stock), and an initial estimate of target working capital true-up of $286. The fair value of the Company’s common stock issued as part of the consideration was determined based upon the opening stock price of the Company’s shares as of the acquisition date.

The issuance of the shares was exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

JGB Warrants

On March 3, 2023, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “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 Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to sell to the Purchasers (i) 5% 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”), for a total purchase price of $20,000,000.

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.

The issuance of the warrants was exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

Omnia Warrants

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 (“Omnia”). 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 Omnia (the “October Note”) and the 12% Secured Promissory Note with a principal amount of $1,500,000 dated as of January 14, 2022 payable to Omnia (the “January Note”, and together with the October Note, the “Original Notes”), which were assumed by the Company in connection with the acquisition of GVB Biopharma.

In connection with the Subordinated Note, the Company issued to Omnia, the Omnia Warrants to purchase up to 675,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Omnia Warrants are exercisable for seven years from September 3, 2023, 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.

The issuance of the warrants was exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

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ATM Offering

On March 9, 2023 the Company entered into a Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Cowen and Company, LLC (the “Sales Agent”) under which the Company may issue and sell in a registered offering shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50,000 from time to time through or to the Sales Agent (the “ATM Offering”). The Company currently intends to use any net proceeds from this ATM Offering for general corporate purposes, including potentially expanding existing businesses, acquiring businesses and investing in other business opportunities, for expansion and acceleration of the launch of the Company’s VLN® reduced nicotine content tobacco cigarettes in additional markets, research and development expenses, procurement and development of additional intellectual property rights and working capital.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, each time that the Company wishes to issue and sell shares of common stock, it will notify the Sales Agent and the Sales Agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its sales and trading practices, to solicit offers to purchase the common stock shares under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Sales Agreement.

 

The Company will pay the Sales Agent 3.00% of the gross proceeds of the sales price per share of common stock sold through the Sales Agent under the Sales Agreement. In addition, the Company will reimburse the Sales Agent for certain fees and disbursements to its legal counsel incurred in connection with entering into the transactions contemplated by the Sales Agreement in an amount not to exceed $75,000 in the aggregate.

 

Sales of the Company’s common stock through or to the Sales Agent, if any, will be made in transactions that are deemed to be “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company is not obligated to make any sales of its common stock under the Sales Agreement and may at any time suspend offers under the Sales Agreement. The Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of all of the Company’s common stock subject to the Sales Agreement, or (ii) termination of the Sales Agreement as permitted therein.

The issuance and sale of common stock, if any, by the Company under the Sales Agreement will be made pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3(No. 333-270473) which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2023 (the “Registration Statement”), and the Company’s prospectus supplement relating to the offering filed therewith that forms part of the Registration Statement.

Item 3. Default Upon Senior Securities.

None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None

Item 5. Other Information

None

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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit 10.1

Sales Agreement, dated March 9, 2023, by and between 22nd Century Group, Inc. and Cowen and Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on March 10, 2023)

Exhibit 10.2†

License and Distribution Agreement with Cookies Creative Consulting & Promotions, Inc. dated April 4, 2023

Exhibit 31.1

Section 302 Certification - Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

Section 302 Certification - Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document

 

 

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

 

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

 

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

 

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

 

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

Exhibit 104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL)

†Certain portions of the exhibit have been omitted pursuant Regulation S-K Item 601(b) because it is both (i) not material to investors and (ii) likely to cause competitive harm to the Company is publicly disclosed.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized:

 

22nd CENTURY GROUP, INC.

 

 

Date: May 9, 2023

/s/ James A. Mish

 

James A. Mish

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

Date: May 9, 2023

/s/ R. Hugh Kinsman

 

R. Hugh Kinsman

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)

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