RESTON, Va., July 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lightbridge Corporation (Nasdaq: LTBR), an advanced nuclear fuel technology company, announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023, and provided an update on the Company’s continued progress.
Seth Grae, President & Chief Executive Officer of Lightbridge Corporation, commented, “We are pleased to report continued progress in the second quarter of 2023. We recently announced our participation in the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy University Program awarded to Texas A&M University, which will be an excellent opportunity to showcase the capabilities of Lightbridge Fuel™, whose simulated performance will be thoroughly studied within a small modular reactor, ultimately generating experimental data that will help us optimize the application of our technology.”
“We announced that the U.S. government has selected Lightbridge to join two important public-private nuclear power groups - the High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium Consortium, and the Small Modular Reactor Working Group, under the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, respectively. These affiliations underline our commitment to advancing nuclear power technology and integrating nuclear power into the broader energy landscape. I was honored to be reappointed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to the Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee (CINTAC) as a representative of Lightbridge Corporation and small businesses in the U.S. nuclear energy sector. This position allows us to advise on policies that drive U.S. exports of civil nuclear goods and services, ensuring our sector's continued growth and competitiveness.”
“We strengthened our team in the second quarter, with Dr. Scott Holcombe joining Lightbridge as Vice President of Engineering and Sherri Goodman joining the Board of Directors. We are confident in their respective expertise that will guide us forward.”
“The nuclear power industry is on the rise. The growing global understanding of nuclear power's importance for energy security, grid stability, and climate change mitigation drives efforts to maintain existing nuclear fleets, increase power generation from these resources, and accelerate the adoption of advanced nuclear technologies. We believe that we are well-positioned to capitalize on our fuel's economic and safety benefits, which will further our efforts to develop and commercialize Lightbridge Fuel,” concluded Mr. Grae.
Financial Highlights
The Company maintained a working capital position at June 30, 2023 of $28.0 million and had no debt.
Cash Flows Summary
Cash and cash equivalents were $28.2 million, as compared to $28.9 million at December 31, 2022, a decrease of $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, consisting of the following:
- Cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was $3.0 million, a decrease of $0.1 million compared to $3.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022.
- Cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023, was $2.3 million, a decrease of $5.3 million compared to $7.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2022. This decrease was due to a decrease in the net proceeds from the issuance of common stock by our at-the-market (ATM) facility in the first half of 2023.
Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets were $29.2 million, and total liabilities were $0.6 million at June 30, 2023. Working capital was $28.0 million at June 30, 2023, versus $28.7 million at December 31, 2022. This decrease of $0.7 million in working capital was due primarily to the factors stated above in the cash flow summary.
- Stockholders’ equity was $28.6 million at June 30, 2023, as compared to $29.1 million at December 31, 2022.
Operations Summary
- General and administrative expenses amounted to $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. There was an increase in stock-based compensation of $0.1 million, and an increase in professional fees of $0.1 million.
- Lightbridge’s total research and development expenses amounted to $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, an increase of $0.2 million. This increase was primarily due to an increase in project labor costs incurred from the U.S. National Laboratories of $0.1 million, and an increase in payroll of $0.1 million, and an increase in consulting fees of $0.1 million, and offset by a decrease in other R&D costs of $0.1 million.
- Total other operating income was zero for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. This $0.1 million decrease was due to the GAIN voucher project that was completed in the first quarter of 2023. There are no outstanding GAIN vouchers. Contributed services – research and development are recorded with a charge to R&D expenses and a corresponding amount recorded to contributed services – research and development.
- Total other income was $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to other income of $0.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, an increase of $0.3 million. The increase in other income was due to an increase in interest income earned from the purchase of treasury bills and from our bank savings account.
- Net loss was $1.7 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023, compared to $1.5 million for the second quarter of 2022.
CONFERENCE CALL & AUDIO WEBCAST
The conference call will be led by Seth Grae, President, and Chief Executive Officer, with other Lightbridge executives available to answer questions.
To access the call by phone, please register at this link (registration link), and you will be provided with dial-in details. To avoid delays, we encourage participants to dial into the conference call fifteen minutes before the scheduled start time. The webcast can be accessed at the following link (webcast).
A webcast replay will also be available for a limited time at the following link (webcast replay).
About Lightbridge Corporation
Lightbridge Corporation (NASDAQ: LTBR) is focused on developing advanced nuclear fuel technology essential for delivering abundant, zero-emission, clean energy and providing energy security to the world. The Company is developing Lightbridge Fuel™, a proprietary next-generation nuclear fuel technology for existing light water reactors and pressurized heavy water reactors, significantly enhancing reactor safety, economics, and proliferation resistance. The Company is also developing Lightbridge Fuel for new Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to bring the same benefits plus load-following with renewables on a zero-carbon electric grid.
Lightbridge has secured a long-term strategic partnership with Idaho National Laboratory (INL), the United States' lead nuclear energy research and development laboratory, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) program has twice awarded Lightbridge to support the development of Lightbridge Fuel. Lightbridge is participating in two university-led studies through the DOE Nuclear Energy University Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Texas A&M University. An extensive worldwide patent portfolio backs Lightbridge’s innovative fuel technology. Lightbridge is included in the Russell Microcap® Index. For more information, please visit www.ltbridge.com.
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Forward Looking Statements
With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed herein are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the anticipated benefits of Lightbridge Fuel™ in SMRs and the outcomes of the study. These statements are based on current expectations on the date of this news release and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ significantly from such estimates. The risks include, but are not limited to: the Company’s ability to commercialize its nuclear fuel technology; the degree of market adoption of the Company's product and service offerings; the Company’s ability to fund general corporate overhead and outside research and development costs; market competition; our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; dependence on strategic partners; demand for fuel for nuclear reactors; the Company's ability to manage its business effectively in a rapidly evolving market; the availability of nuclear test reactors and the risks associated with unexpected changes in the Company’s fuel development timeline; the increased costs associated with metallization of our nuclear fuel; public perception of nuclear energy generally; changes in the political environment; risks associated with war in Europe; changes in the laws, rules and regulations governing the Company’s business; development and utilization of, and challenges to, our intellectual property; risks associated with potential shareholder activism; potential and contingent liabilities; as well as other factors described in Lightbridge's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Lightbridge does not assume any obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new developments or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Lightbridge’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the sections thereof captioned “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements”, all of which are available at http://www.sec.gov/ and www.ltbridge.com.
Investor Relations Contact:
Matthew Abenante, IRC
Director of Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (347) 947-2093
ir@ltbridge.com
*** tables follow ***
| LIGHTBRIDGE CORPORATION UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||||||||
| June 30, | December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||
| Current Assets | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 28,204,016 | $ | 28,899,997 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 355,619 | 115,264 | |||||||
| Total Current Assets | 28,559,635 | 29,015,261 | |||||||
| Other Assets | |||||||||
| Prepaid project costs and other long-term assets | 489,750 | 345,000 | |||||||
| Trademarks | 108,225 | 108,225 | |||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 29,157,610 | $ | 29,468,486 | |||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||
| Current Liabilities | |||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 592,719 | $ | 350,331 | |||||
| Total Current Liabilities | 592,719 | 350,331 | |||||||
| Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||
| Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 authorized shares, 0 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 | — | — | |||||||
| Common stock, $0.001 par value, 25,000,000 authorized, 12,484,799 shares and 11,900,217 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively | 12,485 | 11,900 | |||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 176,740,340 | 173,595,385 | |||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (148,187,934 | ) | (144,489,130 | ) | |||||
| Total Stockholders’ Equity | 28,564,891 | 29,118,155 | |||||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | 29,157,610 | $ | 29,468,486 | |||||
| LIGHTBRIDGE CORPORATION UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | |||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
| June 30, | June 30, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||
| Operating Expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 1,596,818 | 1,439,684 | 3,462,747 | 3,353,249 | |||||||||||||
| Research and development | 366,855 | 165,476 | 814,899 | 428,299 | |||||||||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 1,963,673 | 1,605,160 | 4,277,646 | 3,781,547 | |||||||||||||
| Other Operating Income | |||||||||||||||||
| Contributed services - research and development | — | 83,501 | 31,028 | 206,854 | |||||||||||||
| Total Other Operating Income | — | 83,501 | 31,028 | 206,854 | |||||||||||||
| Operating Loss | (1,963,673 | ) | (1,521,659 | ) | (4,246,618 | ) | (3,574,693 | ) | |||||||||
| Other Income | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 291,449 | 19,017 | 547,814 | 22,522 | |||||||||||||
| Total Other Income | 291,449 | 19,017 | 547,814 | 22,522 | |||||||||||||
| Net Loss Before Income Taxes | (1,672,224 | ) | (1,502,642 | ) | (3,698,804 | ) | (3,552,171 | ) | |||||||||
| Income taxes | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Net Loss | $ | (1,672,224 | ) | $ | (1,502,642 | ) | $ | (3,698,804 | ) | $ | (3,552,171 | ) | |||||
| Net Loss Per Common Share | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic and Diluted | $ | (0.14 | ) | $ | (0.14 | ) | $ | (0.32 | ) | $ | (0.34 | ) | |||||
| Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic and Diluted | 11,773,594 | 10,523,238 | 11,723,941 | 10,403,922 | |||||||||||||
| LIGHTBRIDGE CORPORATION UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |||||||||
| Six Months Ended | |||||||||
| June 30, | |||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| Operating Activities | |||||||||
| Net Loss | $ | (3,698,804 | ) | $ | (3,552,171 | ) | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss from operations to net cash used in operating activities: | |||||||||
| Common stock issued for services | 15,000 | 15,000 | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 601,158 | 438,708 | |||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (240,355 | ) | (295,887 | ) | |||||
| Prepaid project costs and other long-term assets | (144,750 | ) | — | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 457,388 | 326,140 | |||||||
| Net Cash Used in Operating Activities | (3,010,363 | ) | (3,068,210 | ) | |||||
| Investing Activities | |||||||||
| Trademarks | — | (6,174 | ) | ||||||
| Net Cash Used in Investing Activities | — | (6,174 | ) | ||||||
| Financing Activities | |||||||||
| Net proceeds from the issuances of common stock | 2,314,382 | 7,594,845 | |||||||
| Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities | 2,314,382 | 7,594,845 | |||||||
| Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents | (695,981 | ) | 4,520,461 | ||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period | 28,899,997 | 24,747,613 | |||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period | $ | 28,204,016 | $ | 29,268,074 | |||||
| Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information | |||||||||
| Cash paid during the period: | |||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | — | $ | — | |||||
| Income taxes paid | $ | — | $ | — | |||||
| Non-Cash Financing Activities: | |||||||||
| Payment of accrued liabilities with common stock | $ | 215,000 | $ | 15,000 | |||||
