Category: Technology

  • IKE Tech, Ispire to File Age Gating Technology PMTA

    IKE Tech, Ispire to File Age Gating Technology PMTA

    Credit: Thapana Studio

    Ispire Technology and IKE Tech announced a successful pre-premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) for their age verification technology for electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).

    According to an e-mailed release, the technology aims to prevent youth access while expanding adult market access to flavored PMTA-authorized products. IKE Tech is a joint venture among three leading technology and research companies Ispire and Touch Point Worldwide d/b/a Berify and Chemular Inc.

    IKE Tech will submit a component PMTA, which would allow ENDS manufacturers to incorporate their blockchain-based age-gating solution if authorized. The FDA indicated potential priority review consideration and acceptance of a component PMTA. The company plans to complete the required studies in Q1 2025.

    This critical regulatory milestone marks an essential step in the journey to provide an innovative, secure universal solution aimed at preventing youth access to ENDS and expanding the market for adults who choose to use flavored PMTA-authorized products, according to the release.

    “The IKE Tech identity and age verification technology unlocks opportunities for adults who choose to use flavored vapor products while introducing a pioneering approach to reducing youth access and usage,” the release states.

    Due to its innovative design, reliance on blockchain technology, and partnership with leading identity and age verification providers, the IKE Tech system is an advanced component that could be used — in any ENDS device — to ensure only authorized adult users can access vaping products.

    FDA alignment on key points:

    • Component PMTA: IKE Tech will submit a PMTA for a component, as opposed to a finished tobacco product to be sold to consumers, and the FDA indicated it will accept such a component PMTA if all statutory requirements are met. Additionally, due to the fact this component employs novel point-of-use technology, the FDA indicated it will consider a request to grant the IKE Tech system priority review. If authorized, the component PMTA would allow ENDS manufacturers to use the IKE Tech system in their finished tobacco product PMTAs, as a plug-and-play age-gating solution, which may allow for the approval of a variety of flavored ENDS products.
    • Creation of Tobacco Product Master File (TPMF): IKE will create and file a TPMF for the IKE component. Once authorized, the component and TPMF can, subject to agreement, be available to ENDS device manufacturers for incorporation into products.

    IKE Tech anticipates completing the required studies for the component PMTA for the IKE Tech system, including the Identity and Age Verification component in Q1 2025.

    “Our commitment to harm reduction through innovation and our collaborative efforts with regulators are central to Ispire’s mission,” said Michael Wang, Co-CEO of Ispire. “We are proud to introduce technologies that are designed to responsibly support adult consumer choice while significantly reducing youth access. This technology represents our dedication to aligning with regulatory guidance and setting new standards for safer

     

  • Ondato Launches Age-Verification System

    Ondato Launches Age-Verification System

    Image: Ondato

    Ondato has launched a reusable age-verification solution, called OnAge.

    The technology is designed to streamline age-restricted access and ensure user anonymity for digital platforms. Combining AI device recognition with biometric algorithms, the system enables companies to determine the ages of their users with 98.7 percent to 100 percent accuracy and use the results of the verification for subsequent visits, eliminating friction in granting users repeat access, according to Ondato.

    Because the system retains only the user’s age eligibility status after verification, it complies with the strictest privacy and security standards. In addition, OnAge can be implemented into any website or app without requiring additional downloads from users.

    “We’re excited to launch OnAge as a response to both regulatory needs and user demands for a more seamless, secure age-verification solution,” said Liudas Kanapienis, CEO and co-founder of Ondato.

    “Our OnAge solution combines cutting-edge AI and biometric technology to ensure age compliance in a way that doesn’t compromise user experience or data privacy while keeping verification costs lower than other similar solutions. By introducing reusable verification, we’re making it easier for companies to protect minors while offering users a smoother, faster process.”

    One of the advantages of OnAge is reusable verification, which allows businesses to save costs and spares customers the hassle of repeated verification each time they want to access restricted content or services.

    After verifying their age once, users can create a four-digit PIN to access age-restricted content for a specified period, as set by the platform.

  • Ispire Launches New Vape Filling Machine

    Ispire Launches New Vape Filling Machine

    Image: Luluraschi

    Ispire Technology is launching a new vapor device filling machine. Scheduled to be unveiled at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago Oct. 8–9, the I-80 can fill and seal 4,000 0.5 mL vapor devices per hour.

    According to Ispire, the machine is 10 times faster than traditional manual methods and twice as fast as current automated systems. It is also cost-effective, saving $1,000 for every 10,000 units produced, the manufacturer wrote in a press release.

    Ispire says its self-sealing devices remove the need for separate capping, boosting overall workflow efficiency by 1,000 percent over manual methods and 100 percent over other automated systems.

    “The I-80 isn’t just a machine; it’s a game-changing solution to the capacity challenges that have hindered cannabis operators for years,” said Ispire Co-CEO Michael Wang.

    “We’re not just improving productivity—we’re leading a paradigm shift in cannabis production efficiency. This innovation aligns with our mission to push the boundaries of technology for the benefit of our customers and the adult consumers they serve.”

  • Heated Breakthrough

    Heated Breakthrough

    Greentank is at the forefront of innovation with the launch of its patented Heating Chip technology.

    By Timothy S. Donahue

    The vaping industry is in a constant state of innovation, primarily driven by advancements in hardware. A significant focus has been on enhancing battery quality as well as the electronics and circuitry within vaping systems. Notably, there have been substantial advancements in atomization technology. This includes the development from traditional wire coils and wicks to a more progressive adoption of ceramic materials.

    Atomization technology is crucial because the heating element functions as the core of a vaping system. The coil’s role in atomizing e-liquid is pivotal; the more efficient the element, the better the aerosol production, consistency and flavor. Recently, a leading technology company announced its breakthrough in heating technology, set to revolutionize the market.

    It has been seven years since a significant advance has been made in atomization technology. Enter Greentank: a company with a wholly new design representing a dramatic step-change from the conventional ceramic and wicked coil systems prevalent in many of today’s vaping products, promising enhanced safety, performance and experience.

    Greentank is a business-to-business technology company that specializes in the design, development and manufacturing of precision-made inhalation devices and atomization technology, according to CEO Dustin Koffler. Greentank’s latest innovation in atomization is called Quantum Vape. It replaces cotton wick and ceramic heating elements with a state-of-the-art patented Heating Chip.

    According to Koffler, the Heating Chip outperforms all other leading atomization products. For example, the Heating Chip performs better on key safety metrics such as harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) and heavy metal testing than other leading technologies in the market. It also produces the “absolute greatest” release of flavor and the most consistent consumer experience from the first draw to the last, he says.

    “With this breakthrough in inhalation science, we’ve catapulted beyond the current generation of atomization technology,” said Koffler. “Our Heating Chip is set to disrupt the global market. It’s a distinct departure from anything currently available. While many companies focus merely on tweaking the substrates and print materials used in ceramic-based systems, they remain bound to the same ceramic foundation.

    “They’re refining ceramics—making components slightly smaller, slightly tighter, experimenting with new materials and formulations. Greentank, however, is pioneering an entirely novel approach that’s unlike anything witnessed in the industry before.”

    The Heating Chip is small. It comfortably fits on a fingertip and is one-fifth the size of today’s heating solutions. However, Koffler said its high-performance standards are due to advances that have never been achieved before with atomization. Typically, in a ceramic heating element, over time, flavor starts to dissipate naturally. This is because there is caking or buildup inside the pores of the ceramic, causing the temperature throughout the ceramic to vary after each use, leading to thermal cycling. With the Heating Chip, there is zero potential for thermal cycling, according to Greentank; every puff tastes the same as the first.

    “The Heating Chip employs a unique capillary action to draw the oil through the heating element, ensuring that each puff initiates a fresh cycle of material,” explained Koffler. “Many products boast consistent flavor throughout use, yet we’re all aware that the current market offerings fall short in maintaining this throughout the life of the product. In contrast, the Heating Chip integrates nanofabrication into its design.

    “The entire manufacturing process is proprietary, involving novel methods to assemble materials into the Heating Chip that emits no ceramic particle emissions and contains the lowest levels of harmful and potentially harmful constituents. While it’s not feasible to claim complete absence, third-party testing and rigorous chemical analysis have found these HPHCs to be at undetectable levels.”

    Additionally, Greentank only recently completed a longevity study using the Heating Chip in one of the company’s proprietary electronic nicotine-delivery system devices with a target of 15,000 puffs. “We easily achieved this target while demonstrating consistent vapor output from the first puff to the 15,000th puff,” explained Koffler. “Furthermore, we provided these same devices, along with new ones, to Labstat International to conduct aerosol analysis for both carbonyls and metals. The results showed that there was no difference in the safety efficacy from the first puff to the 15,000th puff.”

    Technically Speaking

    To a scientist, it’s a micro channel-based aerosol generator that delivers sub-micron particles according to its proprietary design. To the average consumer, it’s a smoother experience with maximum flavor intensity in a less-risky delivery than currently marketed e-cigarette and cannabis vape products. The Heating Chip isn’t anything like ceramics, said Koffler. Porosity isn’t inconsistent. It’s a chip with thousands of small holes and microchannels that allow for a superior level of precision and control in the atomizing process.

    One of the major challenges in designing the Heating Chip was finding the right talent to help develop the manufacturing process, said Koffler. The manufacturing of the Heating Chip requires specialized equipment, and bringing together a system that worked was incredibly complicated. The manufacturing of the Heating Chip can be compared to producing semiconductors.

    “By adapting pioneering techniques from other advanced industries and tailoring them to meet our specific requirements, we’ve enhanced our technology’s performance,” Koffler revealed. “The expertise of our global team, the precision of the equipment we utilize and our methodical focus on perfecting one aspect of the process at a time has been instrumental in overcoming the challenges we faced.”

    The next generation of atomization technology is moving away from ceramics, according to Koffler. The Heating Chip technology avoids all heavy metal leaching and ceramic particle emissions and ensures the lowest HPHCs all while permitting an unprecedented taste and consistency over a longer lifetime.

    It also offers a smoother experience and better mouth dispersion. Interestingly, the device is also able to create particulate matter small enough to reach lower lung absorption levels for nicotine, much like combustible cigarettes. This could be a giant innovation in getting smokers to adapt to less risky nicotine-delivery systems.

    “Utilizing microfluidic channel technology, we’ve engineered a system that precisely controls aerosol nucleation and optimizes particle size, enriching the sensory experience while maximizing intensity without any harshness,” Koffler detailed. “Our design includes independently arranged channels and a thin film interface that safeguards against chemical reactions and thermal decomposition. This architecture not only enhances flavor fidelity and ensures consistent temperature but also elevates safety standards and reduces potential harm significantly. From the outset, our goal was to achieve unparalleled performance and safety.”

    The size of the Heating Chip is incredible. It’s tiny. It’s one-fifth the size and 100 times the precision of any ceramic atomizer on the market today, according to Koffler. Its reduced size creates greater design flexibility and quicker response times. The Heating Chip is produced on sophisticated micro- electromechanical systems (MEMS) machinery. MEMS is a general term for forming a micron-level three-dimensional structure on a support substrate such as a silicon wafer and integrating functions such as electronic circuits, sensors and actuators.

    “Unlike the broad, imprecise methods typical of ceramic manufacturing, our approach from start to finish is meticulously controlled and exact,” explained Koffler. “This precision is why developing the right equipment for producing the Heating Chip was an extensive process. The level of control we achieve with the MEMS technology not only enhances consistency but also opens up revolutionary possibilities in precise dosing for pharmaceutical applications. This capability to finely tune dosages is a game changer in both vaping and medical fields.”

    Future Markets

    Based in Toronto, Canada, Greentank doesn’t produce nicotine. It doesn’t manufacture e-liquids or cannabis products. At its core, Greentank is a technology and product development company with a focus on safety, performance and reliability. The Heating Chip is not made from ceramics. While the material is proprietary, Koffler insists the technology is something new and its application in inhalation products is only scratching the surface of its potential. It is designed specifically for multiple verticals, predominantly electronic nicotine-delivery systems but also pharmaceuticals and wellness products.

    “We have expanded to over 100 employees across Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Singapore and China, with the majority focused on research and development,” Koffler detailed. “We’ve assembled a highly skilled manufacturing team to produce our innovative chip and have strengthened our engineering and material science capabilities. Last summer, we acquired Numerical Design, a company specializing in microfluidics and microfabrication, boasting an extensive portfolio of patents that further strengthen our intellectual property. This strategic expansion underscores our commitment to leading the edge in technology and manufacturing excellence.”

    Greentank spent over three years developing and testing the technology surrounding the Heating Chip and its manufacturing process. Additionally, it has been created with a robust intellectual property portfolio involving more than 50 patent families to bring forward a variety of advancements. The company’s technology is manufactured in ISO-certified labs, and all products undergo third-party testing.

    The technology is completely different from what exists in today’s inhalation devices. It gives Greentank the flexibility to be adopted into various inputs and varying viscosities. For example, it works well with both low-viscosity water-based e-liquids and high-viscosity resin oils from cannabis materials.

    In March of 2023, Greentank announced that it successfully closed a $16.5 million Series B financing round led by a strategic investor group with more than 15 years of manufacturing experience. The total investment in Greentank to date is now reported at $38.5 million.

    “Our Series B funding was a strategic move to elevate our operations from industrial prowess to global commercialization,” said Koffler. “We’ve established a 20,000-square-foot cutting-edge R&D and manufacturing facility, a project that spanned 18 months to build and equip with the most advanced technology needed to scale our Heating Chip.

    “This facility not only pushes the limits of what’s possible with specialized equipment and expertise but is also designed with flexibility in mind. Our vision was to create a model that can be replicated anywhere in the world, preparing us to expand into any other market as we continue to grow our business.”

    The expansion of the business is about phases, and Koffler said that during the next phase, whether that be the medical or wellness industry, Greentank needs to be able to produce chips to meet global demand with scale in mind. Koffler said this means that the company will look to leverage automation.

    Koffler emphasized that the real measure of Greentank’s success will be seen as the next generation of inhalation devices hits the market. He highlighted that numerous devices are on the cusp of being launched, with the Heating Chip poised to redefine industry benchmarks for safety and efficiency. Currently, Greentank is aiming to influence tobacco harm reduction significantly.

    “At Greentank, our commitment extends beyond mere compliance with regulatory standards; we are dedicated to establishing new paradigms of transparency and consumer safety,” said Koffler. “We are not just participating in the market—we are leading it toward a safer and better future.”

    Timothy Donahue is the assistant editor of Tobacco Reporter. Since joining our team in January 2013, he has become not only an expert on the traditional tobacco business but also a well-respected voice in the rapidly developing vapor industry. Tim spends much of his time on the road, attending conferences and interviewing industry representatives. His networking skills, work ethic and quick mind are valuable assets to our diverse audience.
  • Nicotine a Top ‘Intangible’ Sector in Relative Terms

    Nicotine a Top ‘Intangible’ Sector in Relative Terms

    Photo: Smoore

    The tobacco and vaping business is the world’s most “intangible” sector in relative terms, according to the brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance.

    Intangible assets are identifiable, non-monetary assets without physical substance. They can be grouped into three broad categories—rights (including leases, agreements, contracts), relationships (including a trained workforce) and intellectual property (including brands, patents and copyrights).

    According to Brand Finance, intangible assets account for 91 percent of the tobacco and vaping sector’s total enterprise value—a condition that the consultancy attributes to tobacco and e-cigarette companies’ heavy investments in proprietary vaping-related technology and patented intellectual property. The China National Tobacco Corp., BAT and Philip Morris, for example, have each accumulated significant disclosed intangibles and goodwill due to large acquisitions.

    “While tobacco products are increasingly regulated in developed markets, e-cigarettes are at nascent stage and currently proving to generate high intangible value thanks in part due to lack of regulation of marketing these products in some jurisdictions,” Brand Finance writes in its report.

    Remarkably, the tobacco and vaping business was the second-largest contributor (after semiconductors) to the performance in the rankings of Japan, which saw the value of its intangible assets jump by $587 billion this year.

    “Our research aims to demonstrate the continued growing importance of intangible assets like strong brands and innovative technology in driving productivity and growth potential,” said Annie Brown, general manager at Brand Finance UK, in a statement. “Companies that strategically deploy their intangible assets have the ability to significantly outperform their competitors.”

  • Vaporesso Launches Two New Products in Dubai

    Vaporesso Launches Two New Products in Dubai

    Vaporesso, the open system arm of the world’s largest atomization company, Smoore International, unveiled two groundbreaking products, the Vaporesso COSS and Vaporesso ECO, at the World Vape Show held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from June 21 to 23.

    “We are thrilled to introduce Vaporesso COSS and Vaporesso ECO to more vapers at the show. These two revolutionary products are set to enhance the vaping experience, with their user-friendly features and eco-friendly design,” said Jimmy Hu, vice president of Vaporesso.

    The COSS is being labeled as a “game-changer in the vaping industry,” according to a press release. The system addresses the pain points of existing products and offers an intuitive design that caters to the vaping habits of users.

    “The product’s slogan, Convenient Operating, Smart Supplying, embodies its features. The Vaporesso COSS boasts the smallest size of vaping device and the longest battery life,” according to the release. “It also comes with an automatic liquid filling and charging feature. With Coil-oil Separation System, the Vaporesso COSS ensures a fresh taste without any leakage, and its consistent taste is a unique feature that sets it apart from other products.”

    The ECO emphasizes the value of being eco-friendly, economical, and eco-self, according to the release. It is refillable and rechargeable. Along with its larger capacity, longer battery life, reduced heavy metal content, and leather paper packaging that can be reused and recycled, the ECO is more cost-saving, eco-friendly, and safer for both the environment and humans when compared to disposable products. The product’s daily usage costs are reduced by 60 percent, which makes it accessible to a wider audience.

    “In addition to COSS and ECO, the company also has an IP counter featuring its highly popular XROS Series and LUXE X Series, along with a special display counter for its TARGET Series and GEN Series,” the release states.

  • Kaival Brands Acquires GoFire Patent Portfolio

    Kaival Brands Acquires GoFire Patent Portfolio

    Credit: Olivier le Moal

    Kaival Brands Innovations Group announced it has acquired an extensive patent portfolio from GoFire, Inc. with the goal of diversifying its product offerings and creating near- and longer-term revenue opportunities.

    The GoFire patent portfolio includes 12 existing and 46 pending with novel technologies across extrusion dose control, product preservation, tracking and tracing usage, multiple modalities (i.e., different methods of vaporizing) and child safety.

    The patents and patent applications cover territories including the United States, Australia, Canada, China, the European Patent Organisation, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and South Korea. The portfolio also includes a proprietary mobile device software application that is used in conjunction with certain patents in the portfolio.

    “We are excited to place these valuable assets into Kaival’s hands. After working hard to create this intellectual property with a goal of providing safer and healthier products to the marketplace, we engaged in a comprehensive assessment of how best to further its development into actual products and services with consumer reach,” Peter Calfee, CEO of GoFire, stated. “At the end of that process, we chose to invest our patent portfolio in Kaival in exchange for Kaival equity as the right fit for our technology.”

    The acquired assets will be housed in Kaival Labs, Inc., a subsidiary of Kaival Brands that develops new branded and white-label products and services in the vaporizer and inhalation technology sectors, according to a press release.

    In the near term, Kaival Brands expects to seek third-party licensing opportunities in the cannabis, hemp/CBD, nicotine and nutraceutical markets as a means of monetizing its new patents.

    Longer term, Kaival Brands believes it can utilize the acquired patents to create innovative and market-disruptive products, including patent-protected vaporizer devices and related hardware and software applications.

    “This is a transformative asset acquisition for Kaival Brands,” stated Eric Mosser, president and chief operating officer of Kaival Brands. “As we look to the future of our company beyond our core BIDI Stick distribution business, the purchase of this extensive patent portfolio marks the first step in diversifying our product offerings for adult consumers and potential revenue streams.

    “We believe this forward-looking acquisition, with the acquisition consideration structured in key respects at premiums to the current market value of our common stock, broadens and strengthens our company and our prospects considerably as we seek to drive value for our stockholders.”

  • Innovator to Harness Artificial Intelligence for Tobacco

    Innovator to Harness Artificial Intelligence for Tobacco

    Ryan Selby | Photo: Poda Holdings

    Generative AI Solutions Corp. intends to build a large language model (LLM) dedicated to harnessing the power of artificial intelligence for the tobacco industry. For this purpose, it has incorporated a new subsidiary called GenAI Tobacco. The company intends to launch the LLM tobacco product under the brand name Tobacco Titan.

    Tobacco Titan aims to provide AI-powered information about products, marketing and regulations, along with health and safety insights. The product could also make customized recommendations, such as new flavors, brands or smoking accessories that align with the adult user’s tastes and preferences.

    “I have seen the need for innovation and data collection firsthand in the tobacco industry,” said GenAI Chairman and CEO Ryan Selby, who previously was co-founder and CEO of Poda Holdings, in a statement.

    “Through my various contacts at some of the largest tobacco companies in the world, along with various other industry leaders, I believe we can build Tobacco Titan into an extremely valuable global enterprise system, providing utility to individuals and businesses alike.

    “Our goal is to partner with certain companies in the tobacco industry that have access to various proprietary datasets which will give Tobacco Titan a competitive advantage based on the uniqueness of the data that is not generally available on the internet. We plan on working with our partners Metachain Technologies. to facilitate the development of Tobacco Titan and will finalize our arrangement with them in the coming weeks.”

  • Vape Battery Air ‘Incidents’ Have Tripled Since 2019

    Vape Battery Air ‘Incidents’ Have Tripled Since 2019

    Credit: kamilpetran

    The number of e-cigarette battery air incidents has tripled since 2019, reports The Wall Street Journal, citing a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) database.

    Vapes and e-cigarettes were the leading cause for lithium-battery incidents on aircraft in 2022, ahead of those caused by battery packs and laptops. Of the 55 incidents reported through September of last year, vapes and e-cigarettes accounted for 19, which was 35 percent of all incidents in 2022 and triple the incidents reported in all of 2019, the FAA says.

    According to the agency, the batteries in these devices can catch fire if damaged or if the battery terminals are short-circuited.

    Vapes aren’t allowed in checked luggage, and must be brought in carry-on luggage because of cargo-area fire risks.

    The federal government banned smoking on most U.S. flights in 1990. In 2016, the U.S. finalized its ban on e-cigarettes on all domestic commercial flights, as well as on international flights to and from the country.

    Passengers should refrain from charging e-cigarettes on a plane and store their device carefully to prevent them from accidentally turning on, according to the FAA. They should transport their vapes in a protective case or remove the battery and place each battery in its own case or plastic bag to prevent a short circuit, the agency says.

    Passengers who violate federal vaping laws risk fines up to $1,771.

  • BAT and PMI Combine to Invest $1.15 Billion on R&D in 2021

    BAT and PMI Combine to Invest $1.15 Billion on R&D in 2021

    Credit: Putilov_Denis

    Two of the largest tobacco companies in the world, BAT and Philip Morris International (PMI), invested $1.15 billion in the research and development of risk-free alternatives to combustible cigarettes combined in 2021.

    BAT invested $589 million in R&D to develop innovative new products last year, according to Hugo Tan, the company’s regional head of scientific engagement in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East. The news report did not list any BAT investment numbers prior to 2022.

    Tan told Arab News that BAT is investing in heated tobacco and vaping products in its goal to end combustible smoking. The goal is supported by its R&D center in Southampton, UK and 1,500 specialists, who have contributed to publishing more than 130 peer-reviewed scientific studies on its next generation products.

    “It has been widely accepted and adopted by many countries, including the US, UK, Germany, France and others,” Tan said.

    Since 2008, PMI has invested more than $9 billion in the R&D of smoke-free products. In 2021, the company reported adjusted R&D expenditure on smoke-free products totaling $566 million, 14 percent higher in dollar terms than the $495 million spent in 2020.

    “In order to evaluate the reduced risk potential of our smoke-free products, we have developed a comprehensive scientific assessment program that is inspired by standard practices in the pharmaceutical industry and in line with the guidance provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for evaluation of modified risk tobacco products,” said Ignacio Gonzalez Suarez, head of scientific engagement Middle East and Africa, PMI. “Our program follows the international quality standards, such as Good Laboratory Practices and Good Clinical Practices and, since 2008, has resulted in over 400 peer-review scientific publications and book chapters showcasing our data and methods.”

    Among PMI’s professionals are over 930 scientists, engineers and technicians committed to building scientific assessment capabilities, such as preclinical systems toxicology, clinical and behavioral research, and post-market assessment, according to the company’s website.