RESTON, Va., Nov. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lightbridge Corporation (Nasdaq: LTBR), a leader in advanced nuclear fuel technology, today announced the start of irradiation testing of its enriched uranium-zirconium alloy fuel material samples in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). This milestone represents a significant step forward in the Company’s fuel development and testing program conducted under its Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with INL. Imag ...

Core Insights - Lightbridge Corporation reported significant advancements in its nuclear fuel technology development during the first nine months of 2025, transitioning from design concepts to physical fabrication and testing readiness [2] - The company achieved critical milestones, including the co-extrusion of an eight-foot demonstration rod and the successful loading of enriched uranium-zirconium alloy samples into an experiment assembly [2] - The supportive policy environment for nuclear energy, particularly under President Trump's Executive Orders, aligns with Lightbridge's capabilities and development roadmap [2] Financial Highlights - Working capital increased to approximately $153.1 million as of September 30, 2025, compared to $39.9 million at the end of 2024 [3] - Cash and cash equivalents rose to $153.3 million from $40.0 million at December 31, 2024, marking an increase of $113.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 [4] - Total assets were $155.1 million, while total liabilities were $1.6 million as of September 30, 2025 [4] Cash Flow Summary - Cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $8.1 million, an increase of $2.4 million compared to the same period in 2024 [6] - Cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $121.4 million, a significant increase from $3.7 million in the prior year [6] Operational Summary - General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2025 were $3.2 million, up from $1.7 million in the same quarter of 2024 [12] - Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2025 totaled $2.0 million, compared to $1.3 million in the prior year [12] - The net loss for the third quarter of 2025 was $4.1 million, compared to $2.7 million for the same quarter in 2024 [12] Future Outlook - Lightbridge plans to host a conference call to discuss financial results and fuel development activities, indicating ongoing engagement with stakeholders [8]

Core Insights - Lightbridge Corporation presented three technical papers at the American Nuclear Society's TopFuel 2025 conference, showcasing advancements in nuclear fuel technology aimed at enhancing reactor safety, efficiency, and sustainability [1][2][3] Group 1: Technical Contributions - The papers focus on innovative methodologies and assessments for Lightbridge Fuel™, the company's proprietary metallic nuclear fuel technology [2] - Key topics include a quantitative evaluation method comparing Lightbridge's fuel materials against conventional uranium dioxide fuel performance, a conceptual assessment of Lightbridge Fuel's behavior under post-critical heat flux conditions, and finite element analysis simulations for fuel rod fabrication [6] Group 2: Company Overview - Lightbridge Corporation is dedicated to developing advanced nuclear fuel technology that supports clean energy and energy security, with a focus on enhancing safety, economics, and proliferation resistance in existing and new reactors [4][5] - The company has established long-term agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance and has received support from the U.S. Department of Energy for the development of Lightbridge Fuel [5] Group 3: Leadership Commentary - The CEO of Lightbridge emphasized the importance of methodical analysis and experimental validation in advancing nuclear fuel technology, aiming to accelerate the adoption of Lightbridge Fuel for both existing and future reactors [3]

Core Viewpoint - Lightbridge Corporation has received a Notice of Allowance from the Eurasian Patent Office for its innovative multi-zone nuclear fuel rod design, which enhances the performance of nuclear reactors through additive manufacturing techniques [1][2][3] Group 1: Patent and Technology - The patent covers methods and apparatus for fabricating fuel rods with distinct radial and axial zones, optimizing performance in nuclear reactors [2] - The multi-zone fuel element structure allows for varying material properties and thicknesses, which can improve reactor economics, safety, and fuel utilization [3] Group 2: Market and Strategic Importance - The Notice of Allowance strengthens Lightbridge's intellectual property portfolio in Eurasia, a region with over 40 operating reactors and significant expansion plans for nuclear energy [3] - Lightbridge's patented technology is positioned to enhance the safety and efficiency of both existing light-water reactors and emerging small modular reactors (SMRs) [4] Group 3: Collaborations and Support - Lightbridge has established long-term agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance LLC and has received support from the U.S. Department of Energy for the development of Lightbridge Fuel [5] - The company is involved in university-led studies through the DOE Nuclear Energy University Program, collaborating with institutions like MIT and Texas A&M University [5]

Core Viewpoint - Lightbridge Corporation, an advanced nuclear fuel technology company, is set to announce its financial results for Q3 2025 on November 5, with a conference call scheduled for November 6 to discuss these results and updates on fuel development activities [1][2]. Company Overview - Lightbridge Corporation (NASDAQ: LTBR) focuses on developing advanced nuclear fuel technology aimed at providing abundant, zero-emission clean energy and enhancing global energy security [4]. - The company is working on Lightbridge Fuel™, a proprietary next-generation nuclear fuel technology designed for existing light water reactors and pressurized heavy water reactors, which improves reactor safety, economics, and proliferation resistance [4]. - Lightbridge is also developing fuel for new small modular reactors (SMRs) to offer similar benefits while enabling load-following with renewables on a zero-carbon electric grid [4]. Strategic Partnerships and Research - Lightbridge has established two long-term framework agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance LLC, the contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory, which is the leading nuclear energy research and development facility in the U.S. [5]. - The company has received support from the DOE's Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear program, which has awarded Lightbridge funding for the development of its fuel technology multiple times over recent years [5]. - Lightbridge is involved in two university-led studies through the DOE Nuclear Energy University Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Texas A&M University [5]. Market Position - Lightbridge holds an extensive worldwide patent portfolio that supports its innovative fuel technology [5]. - The company is included in the Russell 2000® Index and the Russell 3000® Index, indicating its significant presence in the market [5].

Core Insights - Lightbridge Corporation has successfully completed the loading of capsules containing enriched uranium-zirconium alloy fuel material samples into an experiment assembly, which is now ready for irradiation testing at the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) later this year [1][5]. Group 1: Achievement Highlights - The loading of capsules into the experiment assembly is a significant milestone for Lightbridge Fuel development, bringing the company closer to obtaining critical irradiation testing data necessary for regulatory approval and commercialization [3][5]. - The enriched uranium-zirconium alloy samples were manufactured under stringent quality control and process validation protocols at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) [5]. - The irradiation testing will be conducted in accordance with a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Lightbridge and INL [5]. Group 2: Future Plans and Implications - The planned irradiation testing program, along with post-irradiation examination activities, will provide essential performance data to support Lightbridge's regulatory licensing activities and advance its commercialization efforts [5]. - Lightbridge is focused on developing advanced nuclear fuel technology that enhances reactor safety, economics, and proliferation resistance, aiming to deliver clean energy solutions [15][16].

Core Insights - Lightbridge Corporation's CEO Seth Grae will participate in a panel discussion at the Nuclear Energy Policy Summit 2025, focusing on the nuclear energy sector's infrastructure and workforce needs as it experiences significant growth [1][2][3] Company Overview - Lightbridge Corporation is an advanced nuclear fuel technology company developing Lightbridge Fuel™, a next-generation nuclear fuel technology aimed at enhancing safety, economics, and proliferation resistance for existing and new reactors [5][6] - The company has established long-term agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance and has received support from the U.S. Department of Energy for the development of its fuel technology [6] Industry Context - The Nuclear Energy Policy Summit will address the interconnected challenges of reactor deployment, fuel innovation, and workforce development necessary for achieving global nuclear energy goals [3] - The event will gather senior government officials, industry executives, and policy experts to discuss pathways for accelerating nuclear energy deployment worldwide [3]

Core Viewpoint - Lightbridge Corporation and Oklo Inc. have announced a strategic collaboration to explore co-locating a fuel fabrication facility, aiming to accelerate the commercialization of advanced nuclear fuels and enhance energy security in the U.S. [1][2][4] Group 1: Collaboration Details - The collaboration is formalized under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed earlier in 2025, focusing on the feasibility of commercial-scale fuel fabrication within Oklo's planned manufacturing infrastructure [2] - The initiative includes joint research and development efforts, particularly in manufacturing fuel from repurposed plutonium sourced from legacy materials [2][4] - The proposed facility will support advanced fuel production for both fast reactors and light water reactors, reinforcing the commitment to U.S. leadership in nuclear fuel manufacturing [4] Group 2: Government Support and Policy Alignment - This announcement follows executive orders from the White House in May 2025, which prioritize the acceleration of U.S. nuclear energy deployment and include directives for processing surplus plutonium for advanced reactor fuel [3] - The collaboration aligns with emerging federal policies aimed at strengthening domestic energy security and supporting advanced reactor deployment [5][6] Group 3: Company Profiles - Oklo Inc. is focused on developing fast fission power plants and establishing a domestic supply chain for critical radioisotopes, with a history of regulatory achievements in advanced fission technology [6] - Lightbridge Corporation is developing advanced nuclear fuel technology, including Lightbridge Fuel™, which enhances reactor safety and economics while promoting energy security [7][8]

Core Insights - Lightbridge Corporation reported significant advancements in its nuclear fuel technology during the first half of 2025, achieving critical milestones that enhance its future prospects [2][12] - The political climate is increasingly supportive of nuclear energy, bolstered by recent executive orders from President Trump aimed at promoting advanced nuclear technologies [2] - The company has a robust financial position with $97.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and $97.2 million in working capital as of June 30, 2025, marking a substantial increase from the previous year [3][4] Financial Highlights - Cash and cash equivalents increased by $57.9 million from $40.0 million at December 31, 2024, to $97.9 million as of June 30, 2025 [4] - Working capital rose from $39.9 million at December 31, 2024, to $97.2 million at June 30, 2025 [3] - Total assets were reported at $99.0 million, with total liabilities at $1.2 million, resulting in stockholders' equity of $97.8 million [4][16] Operational Summary - General and administrative expenses for Q2 2025 were $2.5 million, up from $1.8 million in Q2 2024, primarily due to increased professional fees and stock-based compensation [5][11] - Research and development expenses for Q2 2025 totaled $1.6 million, compared to $0.9 million in Q2 2024, reflecting heightened R&D activities [11] - The net loss for Q2 2025 was $3.5 million, compared to a net loss of $2.4 million in Q2 2024 [11][18] Cash Flow Summary - Cash used in operating activities for the first half of 2025 was $5.6 million, an increase from $3.7 million in the same period of 2024, driven by higher R&D and administrative expenses [6][19] - Cash provided by financing activities surged to $63.5 million in the first half of 2025, compared to $2.2 million in the same period of 2024, largely due to common stock issuance [6][19] Strategic Partnerships and Developments - Lightbridge has established long-term agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance LLC to support the development of its nuclear fuel technology [12] - The company is involved in university-led studies through the DOE Nuclear Energy University Program, enhancing its research capabilities [12]

Core Insights - Lightbridge Corporation will announce its financial results for Q2 FY2025 on August 11, 2025, after market close, followed by a conference call on August 12, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. ET to discuss these results and fuel development activities [1][2]. Company Overview - Lightbridge Corporation (NASDAQ: LTBR) focuses on advanced nuclear fuel technology aimed at providing abundant, zero-emission clean energy and enhancing global energy security [4]. - The company is developing Lightbridge Fuel™, a proprietary next-generation nuclear fuel technology for existing light water reactors and pressurized heavy water reactors, which improves reactor safety, economics, and proliferation resistance [4]. - Lightbridge is also working on Lightbridge Fuel for new small modular reactors (SMRs), which will offer similar benefits while enabling load-following with renewables on a zero-carbon electric grid [4]. Strategic Partnerships and Research - Lightbridge has established two long-term framework agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance LLC, the contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory, which is the leading nuclear energy research and development laboratory in the U.S. [5]. - The company has received support from the DOE's Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear program for the development of Lightbridge Fuel over the past several years [5]. - Lightbridge is involved in two university-led studies through the DOE Nuclear Energy University Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Texas A&M University [5]. Market Position - Lightbridge holds an extensive worldwide patent portfolio that supports its innovative fuel technology [5]. - The company is included in the Russell 2000® Index and the Russell 3000® Index, indicating its significant presence in the market [5].