22nd Century Group said former Reynolds American regulatory specialist James Swauger has joined the plant biotechnology company as senior vice president for science and regulatory affairs.

Swauger will spearhead the re-submission of a modified risk tobacco product application for a very low nicotine cigarette to the US Food and Drug Administration, 22nd Century said. The New York-based company holds patents on methods to control the level of nicotine in tobacco plants through genetic engineering and plant breeding. 22nd Century markets its Magic brand cigarette as containing 95 per cent less nicotine than cigarette brands formerly known as ‘lights’.