One of the top priorities of our research efforts is the development of a portfolio of innovative Next Generation Products (NGPs) that have the potential to reduce the risk of smoking-related diseases in comparison to conventional cigarettes. For developing and assessing these products, we are capitalizing on our team of world-class scientists from a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines in our state-of-the-art R&D facilities. In 2011 we further enhanced our product development capabilities by acquiring the global patent rights to a new technology employing a unique method of delivering a nicotine-containing aerosol. Prior to commercialization, we are employing rigorous scientific methodologies to evaluate and substantiate the ability of these products to reduce the individual risk of smoking-related diseases, compared to conventional tobacco products, as well as their impact on the population as a whole.
