RESTON, Va., Nov. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lightbridge Corporation (NASDAQ:LTBR), a U.S. nuclear fuel technology company, today provided a business update and reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017.
Seth Grae, President & Chief Executive Officer of Lightbridge Corporation, commented, “We achieved a number of milestones during the third quarter. Most notably, we signed a binding Heads of Terms Agreement with AREVA NP for a joint venture (JV) that summarizes all material terms and conditions to develop, manufacture and commercialize Lightbridge’s advanced metallic fuel technology. Through this JV, Lightbridge and AREVA NP will work together to research, develop, demonstrate, fabricate, license, market and sell nuclear fuel assemblies that utilize our proprietary metallic fuel designs. We remain on track to finalize a definitive JV Operating Agreement based on the Heads of Terms Agreement in the fourth quarter of 2017 and to launch the JV in the first quarter of 2018. In the meantime, we are making headway towards finalizing several additional binding agreements, covering areas such as intellectual property and research and development.”
“We are also making continued progress towards irradiation testing of our fabricated fuel samples under commercial reactor operating conditions at the Halden research reactor in Norway. Towards this end, Lightbridge and IFE recently signed additional task orders for design and fabrication of a second irradiation rig that will host another four-lobe bundle of Lightbridge fuel rods. We continue to work closely with four of the leading U.S. nuclear utilities to gain valuable feedback on the development of our fuel technology. We are working towards formalizing an end-user agreement with one of these utilities for a lead test assembly demonstration of Lightbridge-designed nuclear fuel in a commercial U.S. nuclear power plant. Given our progress, we remain confident in our ability to demonstrate operation of the first Lightbridge fuel rod in a commercial reactor in the United States as early as 2021.”
“We also remain focused on expanding our intellectual property protection. Most recently, we received a Notice of Allowance in the People’s Republic of China for another key patent relating to our innovative metallic fuel design, which represents the Company’s fourth patent in China, as we prepare for full-scale deployment of Lightbridge’s innovative fuel designs in Asia and around the world. This follows a Notice of Allowance in South Korea from the Korean Intellectual Property Office for a key divisional patent covering our innovative metallic fuel assembly design for Western-type pressurized water reactors. We received a Notice of Allowance from the European Patent Office for an additional patent relating to Lightbridge’s innovative metallic fuel design, and covers an alternative embodiment of a multi-lobe fuel rod design.”
“Overall, we remain encouraged by the progress we are making with AREVA NP towards finalization of our JV. Meanwhile we are advancing towards irradiation testing at Halden, and have received support and feedback from leading nuclear utilities. As a result, we believe we are well positioned to capitalize on the economic and safety benefits of our fuel. We also appreciate the growing governmental support for nuclear energy initiatives, as illustrated by new proposed grid resiliency rules that would help ensure the competitiveness of America’s commercial nuclear reactors and help set the stage for broad market adoption of our fuel in the years ahead.”
Balance Sheet Overview
At September 30, 2017, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $4.2 million, as compared to approximately $3.6 million at December 31, 2016. The $0.6 million increase in cash and cash equivalents resulted from the sale of approximately $4.4 million of common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, partially offset by net cash used in operating activities of approximately $3.6 million and cash used in investing activities of approximately $0.2 million. We used cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily to fund our general and administrative expenses and for research and development. We had approximately $3.6 million in working capital at September 30, 2017 as compared to working capital of approximately $3.4 million at December 31, 2016. Stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2017 was approximately $5.5 million compared to stockholders’ equity of approximately $5.6 million at December 31, 2016.
Operating Results – Third Quarter of Fiscal 2017 Compared to Third Quarter of Fiscal 2016
For the third quarter ended September 30, 2017, net loss attributable to common shareholders was approximately $1.8 million, or a loss of $0.16 per share, on revenue of $0.02 million. In the same quarter of 2016, the net loss attributable to common shareholders was $2.1 million, or loss of $0.44 per share, on revenue of $0.08 million. All revenue was generated from consulting services. Stock-based compensation expense was $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company’s cash flows used in operating activities were $3.6 million versus $3.9 million used in operating activities for the same period of 2016. The cash was used primarily to fund general and administrative expenses and for research and development.
2017 Third Quarter Conference Call
Lightbridge will host a conference call on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the company’s financial results for the third quarter ending September 30, 2017, as well as the Company’s corporate progress and other meaningful developments. Interested parties can access the conference call by calling 888-567-1602 for U.S. callers, or +1-404-267-0373 for international callers. The call will be available on the Company’s website via webcast at http://ir.ltbridge.com/events.cfm. The conference call will be led by Seth Grae, President and Chief Executive Officer and other Lightbridge executives will also be available to answer questions. Questions may also be submitted in writing before or during the conference call to [email protected]. A webcast will also be archived on the Company’s website and a telephone replay of the call will be available approximately one hour following the call, through midnight December 15, 2017, and can be accessed by calling: 877-481-4010 (U.S. callers) or +1-919-882-2331 (international callers) and entering conference ID: 22219.
About Lightbridge Corporation
Lightbridge (NASDAQ:LTBR) is a nuclear fuel technology company based in Reston, Virginia, USA. The Company develops proprietary next generation nuclear fuel technologies for current and future reactors. The technology significantly enhances the economics and safety of nuclear power, operating about 1000° C cooler than standard fuel. Lightbridge invented, patented and has independently validated the technology, including successful demonstration of the fuel in a research reactor with near-term plans to demonstrate the fuel under commercial reactor conditions. The Company has assembled a world class development team including veterans of leading global fuel manufacturers. Four large electric utilities that generate about half the nuclear power in the US already advise Lightbridge on fuel development and deployment. Lightbridge also provides comprehensive advisory services for established and emerging nuclear programs based on a philosophy of transparency, non-proliferation, safety and operational excellence. For more information please visit: www.ltbridge.com.
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Forward Looking Statements
With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the timing, progress and potential challenges relating to the Company’s entry into a joint venture operating agreement and other binding agreements with AREVA NP, the expected cooperation between AREVA NP and the Company, the Company’s entry into an end-user agreement with a leading U.S. nuclear utility and the timing thereof, the ability to demonstrate operation of the first Lightbridge fuel rod in a commercial reactor in the United States and the timing thereof, the expected market for and the position of the Company’s product and service offerings, and the impact of governmental support for nuclear energy initiatives.
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 degree of market adoption of the Company’s product and service offerings; market competition; dependence on strategic partners; demand for fuel for nuclear reactors; the Company’s ability to manage its business effectively in a rapidly evolving market; 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. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Investor Relations Contact:
David Waldman/Natalya Rudman
Tel. +1 855-379-9900
[email protected]
*** tables follow ***
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
| September 30, | ||||||||
| 2017 | December 31, | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | 2016 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current Assets | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 4,214,386 | $ | 3,584,877 | ||||
| Restricted cash | 114,077 | 114,012 | ||||||
| Accounts receivable – project revenue and reimbursable project costs | 15,136 | 388,434 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 97,567 | 80,933 | ||||||
| Deferred financing costs, net | 491,168 | 491,168 | ||||||
| Total Current Assets | 4,932,334 | 4,659,424 | ||||||
| Other Assets | ||||||||
| Patent costs | 1,319,718 | 1,160,465 | ||||||
| Deferred financing costs, net | 614,072 | 982,486 | ||||||
| Total Other Assets | 1,933,790 | 2,142,951 | ||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 6,866,124 | $ | 6,802,375 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 1,328,393 | $ | 1,216,321 | ||||
| Total Current Liabilities | 1,328,393 | 1,216,321 | ||||||
| Long-Term Liabilities | ||||||||
| Deferred lease abandonment liability | – | 28,464 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities | 1,328,393 | 1,244,785 | ||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies – Note 4 | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 authorized shares, convertible Series A preferred shares, 1,020,000 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. | 1,020 | 1,020 | ||||||
| Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 authorized, 11,426,754 shares and 9,911,864 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively | 11,427 | 7,112 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 91,358,420 | 86,266,075 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (85,833,136 | ) | (80,716,617 | ) | ||||
| Total Stockholders’ Equity | 5,537,731 | 5,557,590 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | 6,866,124 | $ | 6,802,375 | ||||
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||
| Revenue: | ||||||||||||||
| Consulting Revenue | $ | 15,136 | $ | 83,219 | $ | 165,046 | $ | 372,142 | ||||||
| Cost of Consulting Services Provided | 9,364 | 43,919 | 99,027 | 174,281 | ||||||||||
| Gross Margin | 5,772 | 39,300 | 66,019 | 197,861 | ||||||||||
| Operating Expenses | ||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 1,149,847 | 1,106,125 | 3,329,440 | 3,311,488 | ||||||||||
| Research and development | 458,663 | 441,874 | 1,468,650 | 1,450,954 | ||||||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 1,608,510 | 1,547,999 | 4,798,090 | 4,762,442 | ||||||||||
| Operating Loss | (1,602,738 | ) | (1,508,699 | ) | (4,732,071 | ) | (4,564,581 | ) | ||||||
| Other Income and (Expenses) | ||||||||||||||
| Warrant revaluation | – | 78,442 | – | 1,643,941 | ||||||||||
| Warrant modification expense | – | – | – | (129,369 | ) | |||||||||
| Investment income | 18 | 19 | 61 | 294 | ||||||||||
| Financing costs | (130,828 | ) | (73,279 | ) | (384,509 | ) | (85,650 | ) | ||||||
| Other expenses | – | – | – | (62 | ) | |||||||||
| Total Other Income and (Expenses) | (130,810 | ) | 5,182 | (384,448 | ) | 1,429,154 | ||||||||
| Net loss before income taxes | (1,733,548 | ) | (1,503,517 | ) | (5,116,519 | ) | (3,135,427 | ) | ||||||
| Income taxes | – | – | – | – | ||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (1,733,548 | ) | $ | (1,503,517 | ) | $ | (5,116,519 | ) | $ | (3,135,427 | ) | ||
| Accumulated preferred stock dividend | (49,000 | ) | (32,667 | ) | (147,000 | ) | (32,667 | ) | ||||||
| Deemed dividend on convertible preferred stock, due to beneficial conversion feature | – | (581,300 | ) | – | (581,300 | ) | ||||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders | (1,782,548 | ) | (2,117,484 | ) | (5,263,519 | ) | (3,749,394 | ) | ||||||
| Net Loss Per Common Share, | ||||||||||||||
| Basic and Diluted | $ | (0.16 | ) | $ | (0.44 | ) | $ | (0.53 | ) | $ | (0.91 | ) | ||
| Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding | 10,836,115 | 4,804,044 | 9,968,425 | 4,105,107 | ||||||||||
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
| Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
| September 30, | ||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||
| Operating Activities: | ||||||||
| Net Loss | $ | (5,116,519 | ) | $ | (3,135,427 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss from operations to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 598,485 | 943,424 | ||||||
| Amortization of deferred financing cost | 368,414 | 68,590 | ||||||
| Abandonment loss | 109,752 | – | ||||||
| Warrant modification expense | – | 129,369 | ||||||
| Warrant revaluation | – | (1,643,941 | ) | |||||
| Changes in operating working capital items: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable – fees and reimbursable project costs | 373,298 | 56,578 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | (16,634 | ) | 32,807 | |||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 164,302 | (161,359 | ) | |||||
| Deferred lease abandonment liability | (68,726 | ) | (198,891 | ) | ||||
| Net Cash Used In Operating Activities | (3,587,628 | ) | (3,908,850 | ) | ||||
| Investing Activities: | ||||||||
| Patent costs | (159,253 | ) | (171,177 | ) | ||||
| Net Cash Used In Investing Activities | (159,253 | ) | (171,177 | ) | ||||
| Financing Activities: | ||||||||
| Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock | 4,376,455 | 3,631,689 | ||||||
| Net proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock | – | 2,800,000 | ||||||
| Proceeds from the issuance of note payable | – | 135,000 | ||||||
| Repayment of note payable | – | (107,623 | ) | |||||
| Restricted cash | (65 | ) | 211,842 | |||||
| Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities | 4,376,390 | 6,670,908 | ||||||
| Net Increase In Cash and Cash Equivalents | 629,509 | 2,590,881 | ||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period | 3,584,877 | 623,184 | ||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period | $ | 4,214,386 | $ | 3,214,065 | ||||
| Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: | ||||||||
| Cash paid during the period: | ||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | – | $ | 2,269 | ||||
| Income taxes paid | $ | – | $ | – | ||||
| Non-Cash Financing Activity: | ||||||||
| Deferred financing cost – paid with stock purchase warrants | $ | – | $ | 1,665,000 | ||||
| Warrant liability – reclassification to equity | $ | – | $ | 692,110 | ||||
| Accumulated preferred stock dividend | $ | 147,000 | $ | 32,667 | ||||
| Decrease in accrued liabilities – stock-based compensation | $ | 121,720 | $ | – | ||||
| Deemed dividend on convertible preferred stock, due to beneficial conversion feature | $ | – | $ | 581,300 | ||||