Clinical Trial for Smoking Cessation with Natural Compound Cytisinicline

Sep.08.2022
Clinical Trial for Smoking Cessation with Natural Compound Cytisinicline
A clinical trial in the US aims to help e-cigarette users quit with a natural plant compound called cytisinicline.

Recently, the Rochester Clinical Research Center in the United States has been conducting an experiment to help smokers quit smoking. The experiment is sponsored by Achieve Life Sciences, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company.


According to the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey, electronic cigarettes were the most commonly-used tobacco product among students last year, followed by cigarettes and cigars. The survey included data on tobacco product use among high school (grades 9-12) and middle school (grades 6-8) students. Over 2 million students reported using e-cigarettes. Overall, the study found that approximately 2.55 million middle and high school students in the US reported using tobacco products in the past 30 days in 2021.


Once considered a replacement for traditional or combustible cigarettes, electronic cigarettes have become a rapidly growing trend. A recent Gallup survey found that 8% of Americans reported using an electronic cigarette in the past week, up from 6% in 2021 and consistent with 2019.


According to Gallup, adults under the age of 50 (13%) are more likely to use e-cigarettes than those who are 50 years and older (1%). The likelihood of men and women reporting e-cigarette use is equal.


According to Matthew Davis MD, a family medicine practitioner and medical director at RCR, while vaping may be better than inhaling chemicals from burning tobacco, it is not completely safe and is not subject to strict regulation. Davis notes that the nicotine concentration and additives in e-cigarette pods are not carefully monitored.


According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, more than 480,000 people in the United States die each year due to smoking, including over 41,000 deaths attributed to secondhand smoke. The CDC estimates that in 2018, smoking caused losses of over $600 billion in the United States, which includes over $240 billion in healthcare expenditures.


The ORCA-V1, developed by Achieve Life Sciences in Washington, is currently undergoing phase II research at RCR with the aim of providing a solution for those looking to quit vaping. The trial is examining the effectiveness and tolerance of the plant-based alkaloid cytisinicline.


It is a natural plant compound extracted from the seeds of trees. It was first used in Eastern Europe, possibly for hundreds of years. People discovered that by chewing these seeds, they were able to reduce their cravings, specifically for smoking," said Davis, a member of the RCR Investigative Team.


Cytisinicline is thought to help with smoking cessation by binding with nicotine receptors in the brain. Its molecular structure is similar to nicotine, which is known to provide cigarette-like satisfaction for users and reduce acute withdrawal symptoms.


Davis stated that Cytisinicline is commonly referred to as the "poor man's Chantix" or the "natural Chantix". Pfizer's Chantix is a popular smoking cessation treatment. The goal is to obtain approval from the Food and Drug Administration to use cytisinicline in the United States as a method for those who wish to quit or reduce smoking.


The ideal candidates for the ORCA V-1 trial are current e-cigarette users, not smokers. They must set a quit date within one to two weeks of starting treatment and be evaluated based on their withdrawal symptoms through self-reporting and biochemical tests during weekly assessments. Additionally, they must be willing to actively participate in the smoking cessation support provided throughout the study.


Davis stated that the participants took the medication for 12 weeks.


In that moment, they hope that you can quit smoking nicotine. They are simply interested in seeing how many people can use it to quit nicotine," he said. "In smoking trials, it is highly effective. If you use this drug, your chances of quitting smoking combustible cigarettes seem to be six to eight times higher than when not using it.


Once the website has recruited 150 participants, the smoking cessation trial may continue until 2023. RCR is actively seeking candidates to participate in this study.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry exchange and learning purposes only. The views expressed in this article do not represent those of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the article's content. The compilation of this article is only for industry exchange and research. Due to the limitations of the compilation level, the article may not accurately reflect the original text, so please refer to the original text for accuracy. With regard to any statements or positions on domestic, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and foreign affairs, 2FIRSTS fully aligns with the Chinese government. The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for removal.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

AIR Invests $20 Million in Greentank, Deepening Capital Ties Across the Vape Supply Chain
AIR Invests $20 Million in Greentank, Deepening Capital Ties Across the Vape Supply Chain
Nasdaq-listed AIR Global has invested $20 million in preferred shares of Canadian vaporization technology company Greentank, deepening a partnership established in 2023. AIR gains a board nomination right, access to new technologies, enhanced commercial terms and long-term supply assurances, while retaining an option to increase its stake. Greentank’s Quantum Chip platform powers Crown Switch and forms part of AIR’s planned U.S. PMTA dossier, linking capital investment more closely with product technology, regulatory evidence and supply-chain control.
Special Report
Jul.29
Minnesota Sues Loon as State Enforcement Targets U.S. Vape Brand Operators
Minnesota Sues Loon as State Enforcement Targets U.S. Vape Brand Operators
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sued Maduro Distributors, Inc., doing business as Loon, on July 15, 2026, alleging that the company illegally manufactured, distributed and sold flavored vapes that appeal to minors.
Jul.16
South Korean Lawmaker Jeong Jin-wook Pushes Synthetic Nicotine Vape Probe, Highlighting Supply Chain and Tax Concerns
South Korean Lawmaker Jeong Jin-wook Pushes Synthetic Nicotine Vape Probe, Highlighting Supply Chain and Tax Concerns
South Korean lawmaker Jeong Jin-wook has again called for stronger government action against liquid synthetic nicotine vape manufacturers and sellers, alleging that some businesses may have avoided regulation through product labeling changes and corporate restructuring. According to Newsworks, JNILBO and other Korean reports, Jeong has held his third press conference on the issue, calling for a government-wide investigation. The dispute involves whether synthetic nicotine products should fall under tobacco regulations, tax implications and supply-chain transparency. South Korean government agencies have previously said some estimates of potential tax losses cannot be verified due to limited sales data.
Jul.27
Data|China’s January-May 2026 Device Exports Rise 13% While Nicotine Product Exports Decline 6.9%
Data|China’s January-May 2026 Device Exports Rise 13% While Nicotine Product Exports Decline 6.9%
According to China Customs export data analyzed by 2Firsts, China’s vape export mix continued to evolve during January-May 2026. Exports of electronic vaporisation devices (HS 85434000) increased 13.00% year on year, supported by growth in both shipment volume and average export prices. Meanwhile, exports of nicotine-containing non-combustible products (HS 24041200) declined 6.89%, with lower shipment volumes partly offset by higher average export prices.
Special Report
Jun.30
Special Report|South Korean Lawmaker Queries China Tobacco Regulator Over Synthetic Nicotine as Export-Rule Gaps Emerge
Special Report|South Korean Lawmaker Queries China Tobacco Regulator Over Synthetic Nicotine as Export-Rule Gaps Emerge
A South Korean lawmaker has asked China’s tobacco regulator to clarify rules for e-cigarettes containing synthetic nicotine amid questions over product declarations and possible tax losses. The dispute exposes gaps between Chinese export requirements and destination-market rules, while underscoring the global impact of China’s licensing and traceability policies.
Jul.10
PMI Partners With Italian Tenor Andrea Bocelli to Launch “Believe. Further” Platform
PMI Partners With Italian Tenor Andrea Bocelli to Launch “Believe. Further” Platform
Philip Morris International (PMI) and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli have launched “Believe. Further,” a multi-year communications platform targeting cultural, institutional and business audiences in Europe, as PMI says smoke-free products accounted for 43% of its net revenues as of the first quarter of 2026.
Jul.01