Tobacco Company Investments in Pharmaceutical & NRT Products

This page was last edited on at

Key points

  • Historic interests in Nicotine Replacement Therapy – lozenges and gums, early inhalers
  • Addition of Swedish snus-style nicotine pouches in to product ranges – “modern oral”
  • Acquisitions of pharmaceutical and biotech companies developing “inhaled therapeutics” e.g. inhalers for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Investments in cannabis industry with focus on inhalers, CBD and (potentially) drug delivery – “botanical therapeutics”
  • Investments are part of a trend in tobacco industry “Pharmaceuticalisation”: shifting business practices to mirror those of pharmaceutical companies either by acquiring pharma companies or presenting a pharma-like public image, despite tobacco sales.

Background

Research conducted using tobacco industry documents,  published in 2017, explores the history of tobacco industry interests in Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) type products.1 Tobacco companies first developed nicotine replacement products in the 1950s, but the threat of regulation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meant that they stopped. After that medical NRT was produced by pharmaceutical companies, initially available on prescription, and later increasingly available over-the-counter.1 In the 1980s, the tobacco industry actively opposed NRT but, once the threat of FDA regulation had passed (with the regulation of tobacco products beginning in the US in 2009) tobacco companies re-entered the nicotine market.1 The authors note that:

Although the tobacco industry initially viewed NRT as a threat, it found that smokers often combined NRT with smoking rather than using it as a replacement and began marketing their own NRT products.1

The UK’s Royal College of Physicians (RCP) states that: “Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is most effective in helping people to stop smoking when used together with health professional input and support, but much less so when used on its own.”2

Alongside interests in NRT, a 2005 review of historic tobacco industry documents found that the tobacco industry was investigating nicotine analogues: molecules structurally similar to nicotine that that could be used “to create more ‘desirable’ products and to circumvent anticipated nicotine regulation”. There were also “potential pharmaceutical applications for analogues such as treatments for neurological disorders”.3

Research from the US shows how tobacco companies continue to develop and market oral nicotine products such as gums and lozenges, which may not support cessation long term, and risk take-up by non-smokers.4

More recently, transnational tobacco companies have invested in products such as non-electronic inhalers for nicotine and cannabis and, most controversially, for the delivery of medicines to treat lung disease (see PMI’s acquisition of Vectura). These interests are detailed below, by tobacco company.

For information on tobacco company investments in e-cigarettes (also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems, or ENDS), heated tobacco products (HTPs) and oral tobacco products such as snus and nicotine pouches, see Newer Nicotine and Tobacco Products.

British American Tobacco

Image 1: Slide from BAT presentation to investors (Source: British American Tobacco, Deutsche Bank Global Consumer Conference, 9 June 2021)

BAT had an interest in a nicotine inhaler, before it was abandoned in favour of its e-cigarettes, HTPs and, more recently, oral nicotine products. In a presentation to investors in June 2021, BAT said that it was “building an ecosystem beyond nicotine” and its target areas included “health and wellness” and developing products to help consumers “focus, energize and relax”.5 BAT subsequently launched a dedicated website for its Btomorrow Ventures investment arm.6 In July 2021, the website listed investments in cannabis and CBD products, meditation drinks, and other “wellness” products, including technology marketed at healthcare professionals.7

BAT investment in inhalers

Voke Inhaler

In 2010, British American Tobacco (BAT) acquired the licence to commercialise a nicotine inhaler called Voke, developed by a UK company called Kind Consumer.  This product was approved for medical use in 2014, making it potentially available as a cessation product on prescription in the UK. However, BAT decided instead to invest in e-cigarettes, and handed the license back in 2017. Kind Consumer did not successfully re-launch the product and at the end of 2020 the company closed down.

BAT investments in oral nicotine products

Zonnic gum & Revel lozenge

BAT own a nicotine gum called Zonnic, which it gained from its acquisition of US company Reynolds in 2017.  Reynolds had acquired this product with the Swedish company Niconovum in 2008, and marketed it from 2014, suggesting it could be used alongside cigarettes. 1 In Sweden, BAT’s nicotine pouches (see below) are also sold under the Zonnic brand.89

BAT also gained Reynold’s Revel nicotine lozenge. In 2020, Revel was rebranded as Velo, the same name as BAT’s  nicotine pouches.10114 In August 2020 BAT/Reynolds filed an application to the FDA for pre-market approval for Velo lozenges in the US.1213

In 2021, the UK Velo website did not mention Revel or Velo lozenges.14

The Niconovum website states that it also “manufactures a private lable NRT product for a major retailer in the UK”, but does not give further details.15

Lyft & Velo nicotine pouches

BAT has marketed its most recently developed products, snus-type nicotine pouches, in multiple countries, including Pakistan and Kenya, mostly under the Lyft and Velo brands. In 2020, BAT acquired US nicotine pouch Dryft via its US subsidiary Reynolds (RAI), which was subsequently rebranded as Velo.

BAT positions its nicotine pouches, alongside the nicotine gum and lozenge, as “modern oral” products.16 and has submitted PMPTAs in the US for velo pouches.12

BAT (Reynolds) stated that:

“Velo is an award-winning brand bringing consistently innovative products to adult tobacco users, and a potential marketing order for PMTA submission would help to ensure adult tobacco consumers have access to FDA-regulated, consumer-acceptable product alternatives to combustible tobacco”.12

In 2023, the Canadian government authorized the marketing of BAT’s Zonnic nicotine pouch as a natural health product.17

BAT pharmaceuticals

Reynold’s American Inc. (RAI) acquired Kentucky Bioprocessing (KBP), a biotech company developing anti-ebola drugs, in 2014.18 BAT acquired Reynolds American Inc. (RAI), and KBP, in 2017. According to the biotech company, its business approach:

“uniquely positions KBP – and ultimately the RAI Group and BAT – to capitalize on enormous markets and create value and new revenue streams with strong, global growth potentials.”18

In 2020 KBP began developing a COVID-19 vaccine produced using tobacco plants, a move that BAT has used to promote its tobacco business. BAT director of Scientific Research David O’Reilly said that the vaccine “reflects our efforts to accelerate the development of our emerging biologicals portfolio.”19

In January 2022, BAT announced the creation of biotech investment company KBio Holdings Limited (KBio) to “leverage the existing and extensive plant-based technology capabilities of BAT and Kentucky BioProcessing Inc”.20 David O’Reilly is listed as a KBio director at Companies House.21

Philip Morris International

Image 2: Slide from PMI presentation to investors, 10 February 2021. (Source PMI website)

In a presentation to investors in February 2021, Philip Morris International (PMI) stated that it planned to go “beyond nicotine” into “botanicals” and “respiratory drug delivery” (image 2).22

Image 3 Slide from PMI presentation to investors, 10 February 2021. (Source PMI website)

The company said that this was part of its “long term evolution into a broader lifestyle & consumer wellness company” (image 3).22 However the short-term goal was “additional growth”.22

PMI investments in inhaler devices

Syqe Medical

In 2016, PMI bought an Israeli company, Syqe Medical, which was developing a cannabis inhaler.23 PMI did not publicise this acquisition.

Vectura

In July 2021, PMI announced its intended acquisition of Vectura, a UK company specialising in inhaler products to deliver medicines .24 25

The acquisition was especially controversial because this type of inhaler is used to treat lung conditions often caused, or made worse by, smoking.2627 There was strong criticism of the deal, in particular from health charities and the World Health Organization (WHO).282930

Vectura, along with Fertin Pharma (see below), is now a subsidiary of Vectura Fertin Pharma, a company established by PMI in 2022 to oversee the commercial development of its pharmaceutical acquisitions.31 PMI’s Chief Life Science’s Officer, Jorge Insuasty, was appointed President of Vectura Fertin Pharma in December 2022.32 According to its website, Vectura Fertin Pharma brings together “Vectura’s expertise in inhalation and Fertin Pharma’s leadership in oral and intra-oral delivery systems”.31

  • For more on Vectura, PMI’s acquisition and subsequent events, see Vectura

Oti-Topic

In August 2021, PMI announced its intended acquisition of another pharmaceutical company Oti-Topic, which is based in the US and produces respiratory inhalers.3334 Notably, it was in the final stages of developing an inhalable treatment for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Branded ASPRIHALE, FDA approval for the product was expected in 2022.34

PMI stated that:

“This acquisition is part of PMI’s strategic plan to leverage its expertise, scientific know-how, and capabilities in inhalation to grow a pipeline of inhaled therapeutics and respiratory drug delivery Beyond Nicotine.”34

One market analyst estimated that the market for inhalation delivery could be worth US$18 billion by 2027.35

PMI investments in oral nicotine products

In 2021 PMI acquired manufacturers of  snus type nicotine pouches, and other oral nicotine products.

Fertin Pharma

In July 2021, PMI announced that it was acquiring Fertin Pharma for around US$820 million.  PMI described the company as “a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative pharmaceutical and well-being products based on oral and intra-oral delivery systems”.363738 In a press release PMI CEO Jacek Olczak listed products made by Fertin, including: “gums, pouches, liquefiable tablets, and other solid oral systems for the delivery of active ingredients, including nicotine” stating  that the company was a “leading producer of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) solutions”.36

Fertin Pharma describes itself on its website as a global developer and manufacturer of “oral  and intra oral delivery systems”,39 these include gum, tablets, lozenges and pouch powders.40 Fertin’s website states that it sells 3 billion units annually.39 It supplies these generic delivery systems to a range of global nicotine brands including products traditionally thought of as pharmaceutical nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) such as Nicotinell.4142 Fertin’s tablet and gum products are also used for the delivery of non-nicotine products including cannabinoids (CBD), pain and allergy medication, sleep aids such as melatonin and vitamins.40

According to market research company Euromonitor, Nicotinell products held a little over 10% of the market share for all NRT products in 2022.43 PMI’s acquisition therefore gives it a foothold in the global supply of NRT products.

PMI said that acquiring Fertin would enable them to develop various “botanicals and other selfcare wellness products”.36  On 15 September 2021, PMI announced that it had closed the deal.44

In 2022, the company became part of Vectura Fertin Pharma (see Vectura above).31

As of June 2023, PMI/Fertin’s ryze nicotine gum was being marketed in India,45 with trademarks registered or pending in multiple countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Bhutan.46

AG Snus & nicotine pouches

In May 2021, PMI acquired Danish snus manufacturer AG Snus, which produces both tobacco leaf products and nicotine pouches.4748

Swedish Match

In 2021, PMI acquired Swedish Match, manufacturers of snus and nicotine pouches, with a large market share in Northern Europe and the US.4950

In 2021, PMI began referring to gums and nicotine pouches as “modern oral” products, as does BAT.36

PMI investment in a COVID-19 vaccine

Medicago

In May 2019, PMI invested CAD$15,975,000 for a 48% stake in Medicago, a Canadian biopharmaceutical company.51 In March 2020, Medicago began developing a COVID-19 vaccine that would be manufactured using tobacco plants.52 GlaxoSmithKline partnered with Medicago to assist in manufacture of the vaccine in July 2020,53 and in October 2020, the Canadian government invested CA$173 million in Medicago’s vaccine.54

This government investment in a tobacco industry sponsored vaccine was widely criticised for demonstrating a “complete disregard for [Canada’s] treaty obligations under the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control,” according to Tobacco Control experts Joanna Cohen and Simon Chapman.55 PMI’s CEO at the time, André Calantzopoulos, welcomed the Canadian Government’s collaboration with the tobacco industry, saying “Better outcomes can be achieved when governments and companies join efforts to promote shared objectives for the greater good”.56

In February 2022, Health Canada approved Medicago’s Covifenz for distribution.57 At this point PMI held a 25% stake in the company.58 However, the WHO rejected Medicago’s request for emergency global use of its Covifenz vaccine in March 2022, due to Medicago’s ties to PMI.59

Medicago’s majority shareholder, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, removed PMI as a shareholder in December 2022, following an advocacy campaign led by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Canada and Corporate Accountability.60

In February 2023, Mitsubishi shut down Medicago, citing a lack of commercial viability for its Covifenz vaccine.61

Altria

Altria investments in oral nicotine products

Verve

Philip Morris US (an Altria company) had a nicotine lozenge called Verve, which they developed in 2012.162 According to US researchers, Philip Morris believed it could avoid the use of warning labels, because Verve was made with nicotine extract, not tobacco.

From 2016 the Verve lozenge only appeared to be on sale in Virginia.1 and by 2019 it was discontinued.63 In October 2021, the FDA gave approval to Altria to market new mint flavoured ‘discs’ and ‘chews’ in the US under the Verve brand.636465

However it is not clear if Altria intends to sell these gum and lozenge type products. The company stated that it had: “applied learnings from this successful application to our On submissions, which remain under review by FDA.”63 (see below)

On! nicotine pouch

In 2019, Altria acquired On! nicotine pouches from a Swiss tobacco company. In 2020, it submitted 35 applications to the FDA for authorisation to market these products in the US.

On its website, Altria positions nicotine pouches alongside smokeless tobacco, heated tobacco products, and e-cigarettes, all of which it describes as “smoke-free”.66

Altria & BAT Interests in Lexaria Bioscience

Altria and BAT have connections with Canadian company Lexaria Bioscience, relating to its drug delivery technology ‘DehydraTECH’.67

It was reported that DehydraTECH allows oils, including cannabidiol (CBD), to be dehydrated, mixed with other ingredients and added to food, drinks and creams, enabling faster delivery into the bloodstream.6869 Altria acquired a nearly 17% share of Lexaria Bioscience subsidiary Lexaria Nicotine, gaining a seat on its board, and funded its research and development (R&D) programme in 2019 “to evaluate oral nicotine delivery performance”. 70 Altria also acquired non-exclusive licence rights to use DehydraTech.70 In 2020, BAT signed an R&D agreement with Lexaria Bioscience, which excluded the US (where Altria operates)).70

This appears to relate to the production of nicotine pouches and cannabis or CBD products.

Japan Tobacco

Japan Tobacco international (JTI) owns the Nordic Spirit brand of oral nicotine pouches.

Japan Tobacco has a pharmaceutical division, which has developed drugs designed to treat medical conditions, including heart disease and lung cancer.717273

In July 2021,  JT’s clinical trial list included a new drug (a PDHK inhibitor) to treat heart failure and “improve cardiac function”.74

Imperial Brands

Imperial owns nicotine pouch brands Skruf and zoneX.

Tobacco Tactics Resources

Newer Nicotine and Tobacco Products
Nicotine Pouches
Cannabis
Harm Reduction
Vectura

TCRG Research

For a comprehensive list of all TCRG publications, including TCRG research that evaluates the impact of public health policy, go to the Bath TCRG’s list of publications.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

References

  1. abcdefgD. Apollonio, S. A. Glatnz, Tobacco Industry Research on Nicotine Replacement Therapy: “If Anyone Is Going to Take Away Our Business It Should Be Us”, American Journal of Public Health, 2017,  107, p1636-1642, doi:10.2105/AJPH.2017.303935
  2. Royal College of Physicians, Nicotine without smoke: Tobacco Harm Reduction, April 2016
  3. R. Vagg, S. Chapman. Nicotine analogues: A review of tobacco industry research interests. Addiction, 2005, 100. 701-12. 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2005.01014.x.
  4. abM. Borowiecki, S.L. Emery, G. Kostygina, New recreational nicotine lozenges, tablets, gummies and gum proliferate on the US market, Tobacco Control, Published Online First: 01 November 2022, doi: 10.1136/tc-2022-057673
  5. British American Tobacco, Delivering Multi-Stakeholder Value through The Enterprise of the Future, Deutsche Bank Global Consumer Conference, Presentation slides, 9 June 2021, accessed August 2021
  6. British American Tobacco, Btomorrow Ventures website goes live, BAT media release, undated, archived 11 July 2021, accessed September 2021
  7. British American Tobacco, BTomorrow Ventures: Portfolio, website, undated, archived 20 July 2021, accessed September 2021
  8. British American Tobacco, Modern and traditional oral products, undated, accessed March 2021
  9. Lakemedelsverket [Swedish Medical Products Agency], Zonnic, search result for list of approved or registered drugs, website, accessed March 2021 (in Swedish)
  10. British American Tobacco, Same Lozenge New Name: Revel is Now Velo Nicotine Lozenges, Velo.com blog, 20 September 2020, no longer accessible in July 2021
  11. Reynolds Submits First VELO Dissolvable Nicotine Lozenge Premarket Tobacco Product Applications, PR Newswire, 24 August 2020, accessed August 2020
  12. abcReynolds Submits First Velo PMTA, Tobacco Reporter, 24 August 2020, accessed July 2021
  13. E. Brodwin, Tobacco giant Reynolds just rolled out berry and cream nicotine lozenges as it faces new pressure from Juul for smokeless products, Business Insider, 27 March 2019, accessed August 2020
  14. British American Tobacco, Velo.com, accessed July 2021
  15. British American Tobacco/Reynolds American Inc., About Niconovum, website, undated, accessed August 2023
  16. British American Tobacco, Modern and traditional oral products, BAT website, archived 9 August 2019, accessed November 2019
  17. Health Canada, Natural Product Number (NPN):80125630 (Zonnic), database entry, undated, accessed August 2023
  18. abKentucky BioProcessing, Our Partners, KBio website, accessed March 2021
  19. British American Tobacco, press release, BAT News and features, 16 December 2020, accessed January 2021
  20. British American Tobacco, press release, BAT News and features, 7 January 2022, accessed January 2021
  21. Open Corporates, KBIO HOLDINGS LIMITED, company number 13534398, accessed January 2022
  22. abcAndre Calantzopoulos/Philip Morris International, The Next Growth Phase, Investor day presentation, 10 February 2021, accessed July 2021
  23. S. Solomon, Philip Morris investment in Syqe was 2nd-largest 2016 cannabis deal – reportThe Times of Israel, 9 January 2018, accessed July 2021
  24. Vectura, About Vectura, website, undated, accessed July 2021
  25. Philip Morris International, Earnings Release – Qtr 2 2021, press release, accessed July 2021
  26. University of Bath, Lung patients benefit from new inhaler technology, website, 2014, accessed July 2021
  27. American Lung Association, COPD Causes and Risk Factors, American Lung Association website, accessed August 2021
  28. A. Ralph, Global health body alarmed by Vectura bid, The Times, 17 July 2021, accessed August 2021
  29. K. Singh, British minister asks for monitoring of Vectura’s proposed takeover by Philip Morris -The Times, Reuters, July 14, accessed August 2021
  30. The World’s Biggest Tobacco Company Has No Business in Health, STOP press release, 13 August 2021, accessed September 2021
  31. abcVectura Fertin Pharma, Homepage, Vectura Fertin Pharma website, accessed January 2023
  32. Market Screener, Philip Morris International Inc. Approves the Appointment of Jorge Insuasty as the Full-Time President, Market Screener website, 14 December 2022, accessed February 2023
  33. oti-topic.com, website, undated, accessed September 2021
  34. abcPhilip Morris International Acquires Inhaled Drug Specialist OtiTopic; Growing Pipeline of “Beyond Nicotine” Inhaled Therapeutic Products, Businesswire, 9 August 2021, accessed August 2021
  35. Global Inhalation Drug Delivery Devices Market $17.6 Billion by 2027, iHealthcare Analyst, 22 March 2021, accessed July 2021
  36. abcdPhilip Morris International, Philip Morris International Announces Agreement to Acquire Fertin Pharma, press release, 1 July 2021, accessed July 2021
  37. Fertin Pharma, Fertin Pharma and associated companies acquired by Philip Morris International, press release, 1 July 2021, accessed July 2021
  38. Fertin Pharma, History of Fertin Pharma, website, undated, accessed June 2023
  39. abFertin Pharma, About, Fertin Pharma website, accessed August 2023
  40. abFertin Pharma, Delivery Systems, Fertin Pharma website, accessed August 2023
  41. Nicotinell, Nicotinell Medicated chewing-gums package leaflet, Medicines.org.uk, accessed August 2023
  42. I. Van den Berg & M. deJeu, The ‘Beyond Nicotine’ strategy, Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2023;167:C5480, accessed August 2023
  43. Euromonitor International, Worldwide NRT Smoking Cessation Aids brand shares by retail value, 2022, accessed August 2023 (subscription)
  44. Philip Morris International, Philip Morris International Announces Closing of Fertin Pharma Acquisition; Advances PMI’s Goal of Becoming a Majority Smoke-Free Business by 2025 and Creates Growth Opportunities Beyond Nicotine, PMI press release, 15 September 2021, accessed September 2021
  45. Philip Morris International/Fertin Pharma, weareryze.com, website, undated, accessed June 2023
  46. WIPO global brand database, Ryze: Fertin Pharma, search conducted June 2023
  47. Mazanti-Andersen, AG Snus Aktieselskab sold to Phillip Morris International, law firm website, 7 May 2020, accessed July 2021
  48. Open Corporates, AG Snus Aktieselskab, Company number 32883044, accessed July 2021
  49. Philip Morris International, PMHH acquires shares in Swedish Match outside the offer and becomes the owner of nearly 86% of the shares, BusinessWire, 10 November 2022, accessed November 2022
  50. M. Mannes, Philip Morris to de-list Swedish Match after raising stake to 93%, Reuters, 28 November 2022, accessed November 2022
  51. Philip Morris International, Philip Morris International Invests CAD $15,975,000 in Medicago Inc., PMI Investor Relations, 24 May 2019, accessed February 2023
  52. Medicago, Coronavirus, Our vaccine candidates page, accessed February 2023
  53. GSK to develop plant-based COVID-19 vaccine with Canada’s Medicago, Reuters, July 2020, accessed February 2022
  54. Office of the Prime Minister of Canada, Prime Minister announces funding to advance the development of Canadian COVID‑19 vaccine technologies, Government of Canada website, October 2020, accessed February 2022
  55. J. Cohen & S. Chapman, Philip Morris and the Government of Canada collaborate on COVID-19 vaccine development, Tobacco Control Blog, November 2020, accessed February 2022
  56. PMI, PMI announces Medicago to supply up to 76 million doses of its plant-derived COVID-19 vaccine candidate, PMI website, October 2020, accessed February 2022
  57. A. Khandekar, Canada approves Medicago’s plant-based COVID-19 vaccine for adults, Reuters, February 2022, accessed February 2022
  58. Philip Morris International, 2021 Q3 earnings report, PMI homepage, accessed February 2022
  59. CBC News, WHO refuses to accept Quebec’s Medicago COVID-19 vaccine over company’s tobacco ties, CBC website, March 2022, accessed February 2023
  60. ASH Canada and Corporate Accountability, Tobacco giant ejected from Canadian COVID-19 vaccine collaboration, PR Newswire, 26 December 2022, accessed February 2023
  61. CBC News, Quebec-based COVID-19 vaccine maker Medicago to shut down, CBC website, February 2023
  62. R. Craver, Altria tests smokeless product that contains no tobacco, Winston-Salem Journal, 24 May 2012, accessed July 2021
  63. abcH. Hammond, Altria Receives FDA’s OK for Discontinued Oral Tobacco Product, CSP Daily News, 19 October 2021, accessed October 2021
  64. Food and Drug Administration, FDA Permits Marketing of New Oral Tobacco Products through Premarket Tobacco Product Application Pathway, press release, 19 October 2021, accessed October 2021
  65. Food and Drug Administration, Premarket Tobacco Product Marketing Granted Orders, website, updated 19 October 2021, accessed October 2021
  66. Altria, Reduce the Harm of Tobacco Products, website, undated, accessed October 2021
  67. P. M. Graham, Lexaria Bioscience strikes R&D agreement with British American Tobacco to investigate its technology for potential use in nicotine products, Proactive Investors, 1 September 2020, accessed March 2021
  68. P. M. Graham, Lexaria Bioscience strikes R&D agreement with British American Tobacco to investigate its technology for potential use in nicotine products, Proactive Investors, 1 September 2020, accessed March 2021
  69. S. Darling, Lexaria Bioscience signs R&D agreement with British American Tobacco, Proactive Investors, 1 September 2020, accessed March 2021
  70. abcLexaria, Lexaria Provides Update on Ongoing Business Relationship with Altria Ventures, News Wire, press release, 9 October 2020, accessed March 2021
  71. Unfair Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International, undated, accessed September 2021
  72. S. Murray, Kill or cure—confused messages from Japan Tobacco, The Lancet, 354: 9188, 1999,doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)77603-0
  73. Japan Tobacco, Pharma Day with Japan Tobacco Pharmaceutical Division, area of interest application form, 2018, accessed September 2021, available from bio-m.org
  74. Japan Tobacco, Pharmaceutical Business Clinical Development as of July 30 2021, summary report, accessed September 2021. Available from jt.com