Plant biotechnology specialist 22nd Century named Michael Zercher, formerly head of international business for Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company (SFNTC), as vice president of business development.

22nd Century products include the Magic brand of very low nicotine cigarettes and Red Sun, a high nicotine smoke. Reynolds American sold the international business of SFNTC, which makes Natural American Spirit cigarettes, to Japan Tobacco for USD 5 billion (EUR 4.6 billion). The sale was completed in January.