22nd Century Group Soars 129.52% on New Cigar Agreements

22nd Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: XXII) has seen a remarkable surge in its stock price, rising 129.52% in pre-market trading on April 9, 2025. This significant increase reflects the company's recent strategic moves and expanding market presence.

22nd Century Group has secured two new agreements with former customers to supply their filtered cigar products. This development is part of the company's broader strategy to expand its customer partnerships and increase production of filtered cigars. Initial shipments are expected in the second quarter of 2025, with volumes anticipated to be 500,000 cartons or more on an annual basis. These agreements are priced to provide gross margin and consistent volume, building on the momentum from the third quarter of 2024 when the company signed an agreement with a new filtered cigar customer.

The company's CEO, Larry Firestone, highlighted that these agreements reinforce the strength of their CMO platform and support their broader growth strategy. The increased production of filtered cigars creates a potential path to expand the footprint of VLN® through trusted partner brands and established retail channels. VLN® cigarettes, which have 95% less nicotine than traditional cigarettes, are a key part of 22nd Century Group's mission to offer smokers a choice about their nicotine consumption.

22nd Century Group's proprietary reduced nicotine tobacco blends are made possible by comprehensive and patented technologies that regulate nicotine biosynthesis activities in the tobacco plant. This technology ensures full flavor and high yield with 95% less nicotine, positioning VLN® as a unique and effective harm reduction product in the tobacco industry.