UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended: September 30, 2024

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from _____________ to _____________

 

Commission File Number: 001-34487

 

LIGHTBRIDGE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada

 

91-1975651

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

11710 Plaza America Drive, Suite 2000 Reston, VA 20190

(Address of principal executive offices, Zip Code)

 

(571) 730-1200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class:

 

Trading Symbol(s):

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered:

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 

LTBR

 

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large Accelerated Filer

Accelerated Filer

Non- accelerated Filer

Smaller reporting company

 

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No ☒

 

The number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s common stock, as of October 31, 2024 is as follows:

 

Class of Securities

 

Shares Outstanding

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 

15,766,902

 

 

 

 

LIGHTBRIDGE CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

3

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023

 

3

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

 

4

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

 

5

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

 

7

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

8

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

16

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

18

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

26

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

27

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

27

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

27

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

27

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

27

 

Item 5.

Other Information

 

28

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

30

 

 

 
2

Table of Contents

 

PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

LIGHTBRIDGE CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

ASSETS

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$26,634,951

 

 

$28,598,445

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

403,922

 

 

 

207,063

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

27,038,873

 

 

 

28,805,508

 

Other Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid project costs and other long-term assets

 

 

472,875

 

 

 

483,000

 

Trademarks

 

 

108,865

 

 

 

108,865

 

Total Assets

 

$27,620,613

 

 

$29,397,373

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$1,159,566

 

 

$486,326

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

1,159,566

 

 

 

486,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies - Note 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 authorized shares, 0 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 25,000,000 authorized, 15,276,331 shares and 13,698,274 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively

 

 

15,276

 

 

 

13,698

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

186,693,926

 

 

 

181,295,125

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(160,248,155 )

 

 

(152,397,776 )

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

26,461,047

 

 

 

28,911,047

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$27,620,613

 

 

$29,397,373

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
3

Table of Contents

 

LIGHTBRIDGE CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

1,676,209

 

 

 

1,609,142

 

 

 

5,626,567

 

 

 

5,071,889

 

Research and development

 

 

1,298,601

 

 

 

552,751

 

 

 

3,232,036

 

 

 

1,367,650

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

 

2,974,810

 

 

 

2,161,893

 

 

 

8,858,603

 

 

 

6,439,539

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contributed services - research and development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,028

 

Total Other Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,028

 

Operating Loss

 

 

(2,974,810 )

 

 

(2,161,893 )

 

 

(8,858,603 )

 

 

(6,408,511 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

318,649

 

 

 

322,065

 

 

 

1,008,224

 

 

 

869,879

 

Total Other Income

 

 

318,649

 

 

 

322,065

 

 

 

1,008,224

 

 

 

869,879

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss Before Income Taxes

 

 

(2,656,161 )

 

 

(1,839,828 )

 

 

(7,850,379 )

 

 

(5,538,632 )

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

 

$(2,656,161 )

 

$(1,839,828 )

 

$(7,850,379 )

 

$(5,538,632 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss Per Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and Diluted

 

$(0.19 )

 

$(0.15 )

 

$(0.57 )

 

$(0.47 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and Diluted

 

 

14,189,787

 

 

 

12,252,342

 

 

 

13,871,756

 

 

 

11,902,010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
4

Table of Contents

 

LIGHTBRIDGE CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid-in

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Stockholders’

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance - January 1, 2023

 

 

11,900,217

 

 

$11,900

 

 

$173,595,385

 

 

$(144,489,130 )

 

$29,118,155

 

Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs

 

 

169,978

 

 

 

170

 

 

 

730,882

 

 

 

 

 

 

731,052

 

Shares issued to consultant and directors for services

 

 

55,835

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

214,944

 

 

 

 

 

 

215,000

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

284,360

 

 

 

 

 

 

284,360

 

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,026,580 )

 

 

(2,026,580 )

Balance - March 31, 2023

 

 

12,126,030

 

 

$12,126

 

 

$174,825,571

 

 

$(146,515,710 )

 

$28,321,987

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs

 

 

320,023

 

 

 

320

 

 

 

1,583,010

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,583,330

 

Shares issued pursuant to restricted stock awards

 

 

35,088

 

 

 

35

 

 

 

(35 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued to consultant for services

 

 

3,658

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

14,996

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,000

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

316,798

 

 

 

 

 

 

316,798

 

Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,672,224 )

 

 

(1,672,224 )

Balance - June 30, 2023

 

 

12,484,799

 

 

$12,485

 

 

$176,740,340

 

 

$(148,187,934 )

 

$28,564,891

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs

 

 

446,850

 

 

 

447

 

 

 

2,166,657

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,167,104

 

Shares issued to consultant for services

 

 

2,577

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

14,998

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,000

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

300,729

 

 

 

 

 

 

300,729

 

Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,839,828 )

 

 

(1,839,828 )

Balance - September 30, 2023

 

 

12,934,226

 

 

$12,934

 

 

$179,222,724

 

 

$(150,027,762 )

 

$29,207,896

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
5

Table of Contents

 

LIGHTBRIDGE CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023

(Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid-in

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Stockholders’

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance - January 1, 2024

 

 

13,698,274

 

 

$13,698

 

 

$181,295,125

 

 

$(152,397,776)

 

$28,911,047

 

Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs

 

 

427,300

 

 

 

428

 

 

 

1,221,554

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,221,982

 

Shares issued to consultant and directors for services

 

 

64,206

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

254,936

 

 

 

 

 

 

255,000

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

456,904

 

 

 

 

 

 

456,904

 

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,819,584)

 

 

(2,819,584)

Balance - March 31, 2024

 

 

14,189,780

 

 

$14,190

 

 

$183,228,519

 

 

$(155,217,360)

 

$28,025,349

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs

 

 

400,831

 

 

 

400

 

 

 

982,242

 

 

 

 

 

 

982,642

 

Shares issued to consultant for services

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

14,995

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,000

 

Net share settlement for withholding taxes paid upon vesting of restricted stock awards

 

 

(4,134)

 

 

(4)

 

 

(10,579)

 

 

 

 

 

(10,583)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

384,216

 

 

 

 

 

 

384,216

 

Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,374,634)

 

 

(2,374,634)

Balance – June 30, 2024

 

 

14,591,477

 

 

$14,591

 

 

$184,599,393

 

 

$(157,591,994)

 

$27,021,990

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs

 

 

608,690

 

 

 

609

 

 

 

1,511,132

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,511,741

 

Shares issued to consultant for services

 

 

76,164

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

194,924

 

 

 

 

 

 

195,000

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

388,477

 

 

 

 

 

 

388,477

 

Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,656,161)

 

 

(2,656,161)

Balance - September 30, 2024

 

 

15,276,331

 

 

$15,276

 

 

$186,693,926

 

 

$(160,248,155)

 

$26,461,047

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
6

Table of Contents

 

LIGHTBRIDGE CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

 

$(7,850,379 )

 

$(5,538,632 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss from operations to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock issued for services

 

 

50,806

 

 

 

30,000

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

1,229,597

 

 

 

901,887

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

(37,665 )

 

 

(137,139 )

Prepaid project costs and other long-term assets

 

 

10,125

 

 

 

(141,375 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

928,240

 

 

 

740,308

 

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

 

 

(5,669,276 )

 

 

(4,144,951 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trademarks

 

 

 

 

 

(640 )

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

(640 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from the issuances of common stock and tax payments for share settlement of equity awards

 

 

3,705,782

 

 

 

4,481,486

 

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

 

 

3,705,782

 

 

 

4,481,486

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

(1,963,494 )

 

 

335,895

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period

 

 

28,598,445

 

 

 

28,899,997

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period

 

$26,634,951

 

 

$29,235,892

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

$255,000

 

 

$215,000

 

Common stock issued for consulting services

 

$180,000

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
7

Table of Contents

 

LIGHTBRIDGE CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1. Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

 

When used in these notes, the terms “Lightbridge,” “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” mean Lightbridge Corporation and all entities included in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company was formed on October 6, 2006, when Thorium Power, Ltd., which was incorporated in the state of Nevada on February 2, 1999, merged with Thorium Power, Inc. (TPI), which was incorporated in the state of Delaware on January 8, 1992. On September 29, 2009, the Company changed its name from Thorium Power, Ltd. to Lightbridge Corporation and began its focus on developing and commercializing metallic nuclear fuels. The Company is a nuclear fuel technology company developing its next generation nuclear fuel technology. These condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, TPI, and Lightbridge International Holding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. These wholly-owned subsidiaries are inactive, and all significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Lightbridge Corporation and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, including a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies, have been condensed or omitted from these statements pursuant to such rules and regulations and, accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes necessary for comprehensive condensed consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 4, 2024.

 

In the opinion of the management of the Company, all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the three and nine-month periods have been made. Results for the interim period presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that might be expected for the entire fiscal year.

 

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company determines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between unaffiliated market participants at the measurement date.

 

Accounting Standards Codification (ASC), Fair Value Measurement (ASC 820), establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are categorized based on whether the inputs are observable in the market and the degree that the inputs are observable. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). The categorization of financial instruments within the valuation hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

Level 1 - Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and

 

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s assumptions.

 

For disclosure purposes, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety in the fair value hierarchy level based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the overall fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

 
8

Table of Contents

 

The Company’s financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The carrying amounts of accounts payable and accrued liabilities are considered to be a Level 1 measurement, representative of their respective fair values because of the short-term nature of those instruments.

 

At the end of the reporting period, the Company reviews U.S. treasury instruments held to determine whether the securities are of the most recent issuance of that security with the same maturity (referred to as “on-the-run”, which is the most liquid version of the maturity band). If a U.S. treasury instrument held at the end of the reporting period was from the most recent issuance it is classified as level 1, otherwise it is referred to as “off-the-run” and is classified as level 2. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, there were $0 transfers from level 1 to level 2 related to U.S. Treasury instruments acquired on-the-run that as of the reporting period became off-the-run, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s cash equivalents (rounded in millions) that fall within the fair value hierarchy at September 30, 2024. There were no cash equivalents at December 31, 2023.

 

Assets

 

Level I

 

 

Level II

 

 

Level III

 

Treasury Bills

 

$

 

 

$20.0

 

 

$

 

 

Certain Risks and Uncertainties

 

The Company will need additional funding and/or in-kind support via a combination of strategic alliances, government grants, further offerings of equity securities, or an offering of debt securities in order to support its future research and development (R&D) activities required to further enhance and complete the development and commercialization of its fuel products.

 

There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully continue to conduct its operations if there is a lack of financial resources available in the future to continue its fuel development activities, and a failure to do so would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future R&D activities, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Also, the success of the Company’s operations will be subject to other numerous contingencies, some of which are beyond management’s control. These contingencies include general and regional economic conditions, contingent liabilities, potential competition with other nuclear fuel developers, including those entities developing accident tolerant fuels (ATFs), changes in government regulations, risks related to the R&D of our nuclear fuel, regulatory approval of the Company’s fuel, support for nuclear power, changes in accounting and taxation standards, inability to achieve overall short-term and long-term R&D milestones toward commercialization, future impairment charges to the Company’s assets, and global or regional catastrophic events. The Company may also be subject to various additional political, economic, and other uncertainties.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (ASU 2023-07), which expands on the required disclosure of incremental segment information. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09), which requires companies to annually disclose categories in the effective tax rate reconciliation and additional information about income taxes paid. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company expects the new standard to have an immaterial effect on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures upon adoption.

 

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt-Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging- Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), which simplifies the complexity associated with applying U.S. GAAP for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. This ASU (1) simplifies the accounting for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock by removing the existing guidance in ASC 470-20, Debt: Debt with Conversion and Other Options, that requires entities to account for beneficial conversion features and cash conversion features in equity, separately from the host convertible debt or preferred stock; (2) revises the scope exception from derivative accounting in Subtopic 815-40 for freestanding financial instruments and embedded features that are both indexed to the issuer’s own stock and classified in stockholders’ equity, by removing certain criteria required for equity classification; and (3) revises the guidance in ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, to require entities to calculate diluted earnings per share for convertible instruments by using the if-converted method. ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Adoption is either through a modified retrospective method or a full retrospective method of transition. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2024 and the adoption did not have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position, and disclosures because the Company does not have any transactions or instruments to which this standard applies. If in the future, the Company issues new convertible debt, warrants or other instruments, the standard may have a material effect, but it cannot be determined at this time.

 

 
9

Table of Contents

 

The Company has evaluated other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies through the filing date of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and do not believe the future adoption of any such standards will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

Note 2. Net Loss Per Share

 

Basic net loss per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period, except that it does not include unvested common shares subject to repurchase or cancellation. Diluted net loss per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options.

 

The outstanding securities noted below have been excluded from the computation of diluted weighted shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, as they would have been anti-dilutive due to the Company’s losses at September 30, 2024 and 2023 and also because the exercise price of certain of these outstanding securities was greater than the average closing price of the Company’s common stock.

 

 

 

Three and Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Stock options outstanding

 

547,362

 

 

503,843

 

Restricted stock awards outstanding

 

 

545,992

 

 

 

451,404

 

Total

 

1,093,354

 

 

955,247

 

 

Note 3. Prepaid Project Costs and Other Long-term Assets

 

In 2022, the Company entered into two agreements with Idaho National Laboratory (INL), in collaboration with the United States Department of Energy (DOE), to support the development of Lightbridge Fuel™. At the time of signing, the Company made advanced payments for future project work totaling $0.4 million to Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), DOE’s operating contractor for INL. In May 2023, the Company and INL modified the agreements to extend the contract term to May 2029, aligning it with the duration of the irradiation testing and increasing the advanced payments by $0.1 million to $0.5 million. The prepaid project costs were $0.5 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, recorded under Other Assets - Prepaid project costs and other long-term assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Note 4. Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consisted of the following (rounded in millions):

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Trade payables

 

$0.1

 

 

$0.1

 

Accrued research and development expenses

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

Accrued legal and consulting expenses

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.4

 

Accrued bonus

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$1.2

 

 

$0.5

 

 

 
10

Table of Contents

 

Note 5. Commitments and Contingencies

 

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had total project task orders and contractual commitments for R&D work for the following three R&D projects (rounded in millions):

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

INL Project

 

$2.4

 

 

$2.9

 

Romania Feasibility Study

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

Centrus Energy FEED Study

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

Total

 

$2.4

 

 

$3.6

 

 

Project Task Statements - INL Project

 

On March 26, 2024, the Company and BEA entered into Modification No. 2 to the Project Task Statement (PTS) under the Strategic Partnership Project Agreement (SPPA), dated December 9, 2022, as amended on May 23, 2023, by and between the Company and BEA. Pursuant to the terms of Modification No. 2, the potential amounts payable by the Company to reimburse BEA for its expenses and employee time were increased by approximately $0.6 million, bringing the total estimated cost for the work to be performed under the “umbrella” SPPA to $1.7 million.

 

After Modification No. 2, total cash payments from the Company to BEA under both Agreements were estimated at approximately $4.3 million (excluding project contingencies) on a cost reimbursable basis over the performance periods under the initial releases.

 

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had approximately $2.4 million in outstanding PTSs to BEA relating to the R&D work being conducted under the SPPA and “umbrella” Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) at INL. Performance of work under these agreements may be terminated at any time by either party, without any liability, after the effective date of termination, upon giving a thirty-day written notice under the SPPA and a sixty-day written notice under the CRADA, to the other party. In the event of termination, the Company shall be responsible for BEA’s costs (including the closeout costs), through the effective date of termination, but in no event shall the Company’s cost responsibility exceed the total estimated cost stated in each PTS and any subsequent modification to the PTS.

 

On October 24, 2024, the Company and BEA entered into Modification No. 3 PTS under the SPPA. See Note 8. Subsequent Events of the Notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements, of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information concerning Modification No. 3.

 

Romania Feasibility Study of Lightbridge Fuel™ for use in CANDU reactors

 

On October 16, 2023, the Company engaged Institutul de Cercetări Nucleare Pitești, a subsidiary of Regia Autonoma Tehnologii pentru Energia Nucleara (RATEN ICN) in Romania to perform an engineering study to assess the compatibility and suitability of Lightbridge Fuel™ for use in CANDU reactors.

 

On July 2, 2024, the Company and RATEN ICN agreed to a change order modifying the remaining scope, schedule, and total fee for the engineering study. The revised total fee was $0.2 million. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had approximately $27,000 in remaining outstanding project commitments to RATEN ICN, payable upon the acceptance of the final engineering study report by the Company.

 

FEED Study with Centrus Energy for a Lightbridge Pilot Fuel Fabrication Facility

 

On December 5, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with Centrus Energy Corp. (Centrus Energy) to conduct a front-end engineering and design (FEED) study to evaluate deployment of a Lightbridge Pilot Fuel Fabrication Facility (LPFFF) to manufacture Lightbridge Fuel™ using high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) at the American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon. In the second quarter of 2024, Centrus completed Phase 1 of the FEED Study and issued a report.

 

On June 27, 2024, the Company and Centrus Energy agreed to a Change Order modifying the remaining scope, schedule, and total fee for the FEED study. The revised total fee was $0.3 million with $0.1 million as the remaining amount due to Centrus Energy, upon the acceptance of the final FEED study report by the Company. In the third quarter of 2024, Centrus completed the remaining scope of work as modified under the Change Order and submitted its final report that was accepted by the Company. Subsequently, the Company made its final payment due under the agreement and Change Order to Centrus and has no further obligations to Centrus under the agreement or Change Order.

 

Operating Leases

 

The Company leased office space for a 12-month term from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 with a monthly payment of approximately $8,000. The future minimum lease payments required under the non-cancellable operating leases for 2024 total approximately $0.1 million. Total rent expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was approximately $24,000 and $73,000, respectively. Total rent expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 was approximately $23,000 and $70,000, respectively.

 

 
11

Table of Contents

 

Note 6. Research and Development Costs

 

INL Project

 

In 2022, Lightbridge entered into agreements with BEA, to support the development of Lightbridge Fuel™. These framework agreements use an innovative structure that consists of an “umbrella” SPPA and an “umbrella” CRADA, with an initial duration of seven years. Throughout the duration of these umbrella agreements, all R&D work contracted with BEA is through the issuance of PTSs. The initial phase of work under the two agreements is expected to culminate in future irradiation testing in the Advanced Test Reactor of fuel samples using enriched uranium supplied by the DOE. The initial phase of work aims to generate irradiation performance data for Lightbridge’s delta-phase uranium-zirconium alloy relating to various thermophysical properties. Data gathered during future post-irradiation examination work are expected to support fuel performance modeling and regulatory licensing efforts for the commercial deployment of Lightbridge Fuel™. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded $0.4 million and $1.1 million in R&D expenses associated with INL, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded $0.3 million and $0.6 million in R&D expenses associated with INL, respectively.

 

Romania Feasibility Study

 

On October 16, 2023, the Company engaged RATEN ICN in Romania to perform an engineering study to assess the compatibility and suitability of Lightbridge Fuel™ for use in CANDU reactors. The total price of approximately $0.2 million is payable in three installments, including an advance payment of $0.1 million and an interim milestone payment and final payment totaling approximately $0.1 million. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded zero and $0.1 million, respectively in R&D expenses associated with RATEN ICN.

 

Centrus Energy FEED Study

 

On December 5, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with Centrus Energy to conduct a FEED study to evaluate deployment of a LPFFF at the American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively in R&D expenses associated with this FEED study.

 

In the second quarter of 2024, Centrus completed Phase 1 of the FEED Study and issued a report. In the Company’s judgement, the preliminary labor effort and schedule estimates show that the Piketon site may be better suited for deployment of an industrial-scale facility rather than a much smaller pilot-scale fuel fabrication facility the Company is looking to establish over the next few years. In the third quarter of 2024, Centrus completed the remaining scope of work as modified under the Change Order and submitted its final report that was accepted by the Company. Subsequently, the Company made its final payment due under the agreement and Change Order to Centrus and has no further obligations to Centrus under the agreement or Change Order.

 

The following table presents the total R&D expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (rounded to millions):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

INL Project

 

$0.4

 

 

$0.2

 

 

$1.1

 

 

$0.5

 

Romania Feasibility Study

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

Centrus Energy FEED Study

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

Allocated employee compensation and stock-based compensation expenses

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

0.5

 

Other outside R&D expenses

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.3

 

Total

 

$1.3

 

 

$0.5

 

 

$3.2

 

 

$1.3

 

 

Note 7. Stockholders’ Equity and Stock-Based Compensation

 

At September 30, 2024, the Company had 15,276,331 common shares outstanding (including outstanding RSAs totaling 545,992 shares). Also outstanding were stock options relating to 547,362 shares of common stock (of which 527,697 stock options were vested), all totaling 15,823,693 shares of common stock and all common stock equivalents, potentially outstanding at September 30, 2024.

 

At December 31, 2023, the Company had 13,698,274 common shares outstanding (including outstanding RSAs totaling 557,688 shares). Also outstanding were stock options relating to 510,787 shares of common stock (of which 498,177 stock options were vested), all totaling 14,209,061 shares of common stock and all common stock equivalents, outstanding at December 31, 2023.

 

 
12

Table of Contents

 

Common Stock Equity Offerings

 

At-the-Market (ATM) Offerings

 

On May 28, 2019, the Company entered into an at-the-market equity offering sales agreement with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (Stifel), which was amended on April 9, 2021 and May 8, 2024 (the ATM Agreement), pursuant to which the Company may issue and sell shares of its common stock from time to time through Stifel as the Company’s sales agent. On May 8, 2024, the Company entered into an amendment to the ATM Agreement with Stifel. Under this amended agreement, the Company pays Stifel a commission equal to 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds of any sales of common stock under the agreement. The offering of common stock pursuant to this agreement can be terminated with 10 days written notice by either party. Sales of the Company’s common stock through Stifel, if any, will be made by any method that is deemed to be an “at-the-market” equity offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

On March 29, 2024, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, registering the sale of up to $75.0 million of the Company’s securities, which registration statement was declared effective on April 19, 2024. On May 10, 2024, the Company filed a prospectus supplement, which was further supplemented on July 19, 2024 and August 9, 2024, pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $12.6 million from time to time through its ATM.

 

The Company records its ATM sales on a settlement date basis. The Company sold 1.4 million shares under the ATM for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 resulting in net proceeds of $3.7 million (stock issuance costs were approximately $0.4 million). The Company sold approximately 0.9 million shares under the ATM for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 resulting in net proceeds of $4.5 million (stock issuance costs were $0.2 million).

 

Stock-based Compensation

 

Amendment to 2020 Equity Incentive Plan

 

On March 9, 2020, the Board of Directors adopted the Company’s 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the 2020 Plan). On September 3, 2020, the shareholders approved the 2020 Plan to authorize grants of the following types of awards: (a) Options, (b) Stock Appreciation Rights, (c) Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units, and (d) Other Stock-Based and Cash-Based Awards. The total number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2020 Plan is 2,500,000 shares with 1,471,026 shares available for future issuance at September 30, 2024. On February 27, 2024, the Board of Directors approved an increase of 700,000 shares to the authorized number of shares under the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, increasing the total authorized number of shares from 1,800,000 shares to 2,500,000 shares. This increase was approved by the stockholders at the shareholders’ annual meeting on April 19, 2024.

 

Stock Options

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued 71,330 stock options to two consultants. These options were assigned a fair value of $1.19 per share (total fair value of $85,000). During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company issued 28,538 stock options to two consultants. These options were assigned a fair value of $1.68 per share (total fair value of $47,830).

 

Common Stock

 

Consultants’ Stock Issuances

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company issued 13,201 shares (with stock prices at $3.00 to $4.00 per share) and 9,985 shares (with stock prices at $3.89 to $5.82 per share) of common stock, respectively, to its investor relations firm for services provided during the period, recorded to general and administrative expenses. The expense recorded for these share issuances was $15,000 for each quarter with a weighted average grant date fair value of $3.41 per share.

 

On August 19, 2024, the Board of Directors approved an equity grant valued at $180,000 to a consulting and investment research firm, for corporate advisory services to be provided over a twelve-month period, and preparation and dissemination of a report regarding the Company, which resulted in issuing the consultant 71,713 shares of common stock, valued on the grant date at $2.51 per share. This compensation cost of $180,000 is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Approximately $21,000 of stock-based compensation expense was recorded to general and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

 

 
13

Table of Contents

 

As of September 30, 2024, the unrecognized compensation cost of approximately $159,000 was recorded under Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining service period of 0.8 years.

 

Directors’ Stock Issuances

 

On November 20, 2023, the Board of Directors approved an equity grant valued at $240,000 in total to its six directors, which resulted in granting a total of 60,456 shares of common stock, valued on the grant date at $3.97 per share, which vested and were issued on January 2, 2024.

 

On December 15, 2022, the Board of Directors approved an equity grant valued at $200,000 in total to its five independent directors, recorded in general and administrative expenses, which resulted in granting a total of 52,085 shares of common stock to the five independent directors, valued on the grant date at $3.84 per share, which vested and were issued on January 3, 2023.

 

Restricted Stock Awards

 

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were 545,992 and 557,688 restricted stock awards (RSAs) included in the total issued and outstanding common stock. A total of $1.1 million and $0.9 million of compensation expense was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Compensation expense is recognized straight line over the three-year vesting period.

 

As of September 30, 2024, total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock units was $1.45 million, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average vesting period of 1.64 years.

 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

Stock Options

 

The following assumptions were used in the Black-Scholes pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Expected volatility

 

75.36%-92.89%

 

 

68.13%-95.70%

 

Risk free interest rate

 

3.76%-4.54%

 

 

4.21%-4.88%

 

Dividend yield rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average years

 

26 years

 

 

16 years

 

Closing price per share - common stock

 

$2.49 – $2.62

 

 

$4.31 - $4.35

 

 

Total non-cash stock-based compensation expense recorded related to options granted and restricted stock awards included in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows (rounded in millions):

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Research and development expenses

 

$0.1

 

 

$

 

 

$0.2

 

 

$0.1

 

General and administrative expenses

 

$0.3

 

 

$0.3

 

 

$1.0

 

 

$0.8

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

 

$0.4

 

 

$0.3

 

 

$1.2

 

 

$0.9

 

 

Note 8. Subsequent Events

 

ATM Sales

 

Sales of common stock under the Company’s ATM from October 1, 2024 to November 1, 2024 amounted to 485,571 shares, which resulted in total net proceeds of approximately $1.4 million.

 

 
14

Table of Contents

 

INL Contract

 

On October 24, 2024, the Company and BEA entered into Modification No. 3 PTS under the SPPA, dated December 9, 2022, as amended on May 23, 2023 and March 26, 2024, by and between the Company and BEA. This modification was done to increase funding for additional demonstration extrusions. Pursuant to the terms of Modification No. 3, the potential amounts payable by the Company to reimburse BEA for its expenses and employee time were increased by approximately $0.3 million, bringing the total estimated cost for the work to be performed under the “umbrella” SPPA to $2.0 million.

 

After Modification No. 3, total cash payments from the Company to BEA under both Agreements were estimated at approximately $4.6 million (excluding project contingencies) on a cost reimbursable basis over the performance periods under the initial releases.

 

 
15

Table of Contents

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. We use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “target,” “plan,” “optimistic,” “intend,” “aim,” “will,” “may,” or similar expressions, which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include, among others:

 

 

·

those concerning market and business segment growth, demand, and acceptance of our nuclear fuel technology and other steps toward the commercialization of Lightbridge Fuel™;

 

 

 

 

·

any projections of sales, earnings, revenue, margins, or other financial items;

 

 

 

 

·

any statements of the plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations and the timing and outcome of the development of our nuclear fuel technology;

 

 

 

 

·

any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance;

 

 

 

 

·

any statements about future financings and liquidity;

 

 

 

 

·

the Company’s anticipated financial resources and position; and

 

 

 

 

·

all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions, or beliefs about future events and other statements that are not historical facts.

 

You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that if they were to ever materialize or prove incorrect, could cause the results of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties, among others, include:

 

 

·

our ability to commercialize our nuclear fuel technology, including risks related to the design and testing of nuclear fuel incorporating our technology and the degree of market adoption of the Company’s product and service offerings;

 

 

 

 

·

dependence on strategic partners;

 

 

 

 

·

any adverse changes to our agreements or relationship with the U.S. government and its national laboratories;

 

 

 

 

·

our ability to fund our future operations, including general corporate overhead and outside research and development (R&D) expenses, and continue as a going concern;

 

 

 

 

·

the future market and demand for our fuel for nuclear reactors and our ability to attract customers;

 

 

 

 

·

our ability to manage the business effectively in a rapidly evolving market;

 

 

 

 

·

our ability to employ and retain qualified employees and consultants that have experience in the nuclear industry;

 

 
16

Table of Contents

 

 

·

competition and competitive factors in the markets in which we compete, including from accident tolerant fuels (ATFs);

 

 

 

 

·

the availability of nuclear test reactors and the risks associated with unexpected changes in our nuclear fuel development timeline;

 

 

 

 

·

the increased costs associated with metallization of our nuclear fuel;

 

 

 

 

·

uncertainties related to conducting business in foreign countries;

 

 

 

 

·

public perception of nuclear energy generally;

 

 

 

 

·

changes in laws, rules, and regulations governing our business;

 

 

 

 

·

changes in the political environment;

 

 

 

 

·

development and utilization of, and challenges to, our intellectual property domestically and abroad;

 

 

 

 

·

the trading price of our securities is likely to be volatile, and purchasers of our securities could incur substantial losses; and

 

 

 

 

·

the other risks and uncertainties identified in Item 1A. Risk Factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2024, and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2024.

 

Most of these factors are beyond our ability to predict or control and you should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. The Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of the filing of this report, to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations, except as required by law.

 

 
17

Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, or MD&A, is intended to help the reader understand Lightbridge Corporation, our operations, and our present business environment. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto contained in Part I, Item 1 of this report, as well as those included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

This MD&A consists of the following sections:

 

 

·

Overview of Our Business and Development of Lightbridge Fuel™ - a general overview of our business and updates;

 

 

 

 

·

Critical Accounting Estimates - a discussion of critical judgments and estimates;

 

 

 

 

·

Operations Review - an analysis of our consolidated results of operations for the periods presented in our condensed consolidated financial statements; and

 

 

 

 

·

Liquidity, Capital Resources, and Financial Position - an analysis of our cash flows and an overview of our financial position.

 

As discussed in more detail under “Forward-Looking Statements” preceding this MD&A, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s current expectations, estimates, and projections, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements because of the risks and uncertainties inherent in future events, including those set forth under “Forward-Looking Statements” and Part II. Item 1A. Risk Factors included herein.

 

OVERVIEW OF OUR BUSINESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF LIGHTBRIDGE FUELTM

 

When used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the terms “Lightbridge”, the “Company”, “we”, “our”, and “us” refer to Lightbridge Corporation together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries Lightbridge International Holding LLC and Thorium Power Inc. Lightbridge’s principal executive offices are located at 11710 Plaza America Drive, Suite 2000, Reston, Virginia, 20190, USA.

 

Our Business

 

At Lightbridge, we are developing next generation nuclear fuel for water-cooled reactors that could significantly improve the economics and safety of existing and new nuclear power plants, large and small, and enhance proliferation resistance of spent nuclear fuel while supplying clean energy to the electric grid or to “behind the meter” customers for electric power, including data centers. We project that the world’s energy and climate needs can only be met if nuclear power’s share of the energy-generating mix grows substantially in the coming decades. We believe Lightbridge can benefit from a growing nuclear power industry, and that our nuclear fuel can help enable that growth to happen.

 

We believe our metallic fuel will offer significant economic and safety benefits over traditional nuclear fuel, primarily because of the superior heat transfer properties and the resulting lower operating temperature of all-metal fuel. We also believe that uprating a reactor with Lightbridge Fuel™ will add incremental electricity at a lower levelized cost than any other means of generating baseload electric power, including fossil, hydroelectric energy source, or any traditional nuclear fuel. Uses could include additional power required for data centers.

 

Emerging nuclear technologies include small modular reactors (SMRs), which are now in the development and licensing phases. We expect that Lightbridge Fuel™ can provide water-cooled SMRs with the same benefits our technology brings to large reactors, with such benefits being even more meaningful to the economic case for deployment of SMRs, including potential load following capability when included on a virtually zero-carbon electric grid with renewable energy sources. We expect Lightbridge Fuel™ to generate more power in SMRs than traditional nuclear fuels.

 

We have built a significant portfolio of patents, and we anticipate testing our nuclear fuel through third-party vendors and others, including the United States Department of Energy’s (DOE) national laboratories. Currently, we are performing the majority of our R&D activities within and in collaboration with the DOE’s national laboratories.

 

 
18

Table of Contents

 

Recent Developments  

 

Idaho National Laboratory Agreements  

 

In December 2022, Lightbridge entered into agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), the DOE’s operating contractor for Idaho National Laboratory (INL), to support the development of Lightbridge Fuel™. The framework agreements use an innovative structure that consists of an “umbrella” Strategic Partnership Project Agreement (SPPA) and an “umbrella” Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), each with BEA, with an initial duration of seven years.

 

We anticipate that the initial phase of work under the two agreements that has been released will culminate in casting and extrusion of unclad fuel material samples using enriched uranium supplied by the DOE that will subsequently be inserted for irradiation testing in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at INL. The initial phase of work aims to generate irradiation performance data for Lightbridge’s delta-phase uranium-zirconium alloy relating to various thermophysical properties. The data will support fuel performance modeling and regulatory licensing efforts for commercial deployment of Lightbridge Fuel™. We use a rolling wave planning approach for project management purposes on the released scopes of work. It is an iterative planning technique in which the work to be accomplished in the near term is planned in detail, while work further in the future is planned at a higher level. As such, periodic revisions to the scope and/or cost estimates are anticipated.

 

The Company anticipates entering into additional modifications to the PTS under the SPPA and/or CRADA with INL to expand the scope of work, including performing additional extrusions, updating the experiment design for irradiation testing of coupon samples in the ATR, as well as other potential activities. The Company is discussing these additional scopes and timing of work with INL to be performed under the two “umbrella” agreements with BEA; which we anticipate will significantly increase our R&D expenses for the SPPA and/or CRADA. As of the date of this filing we are working with INL on defining the revised project plans and the revised total project costs estimates. Discussions with INL regarding these additional project scopes and timelines are ongoing. The successful execution of this project is subject to risks, including potential delays, cost overruns, regulatory challenges, and changes in funding availability, and if the project scope does increase, that the project will be successfully executed or completed. Regardless of whether further project modifications occur, the Company believes that due to resource and manufacturing equipment constraints, INL may not be able to meet the Company’s preferred project timeline, and that total project cost will likely exceed the initial budget.

 

We anticipate that subsequent phases of work under the two umbrella agreements that have not yet been released may include post-irradiation examination of the irradiated fuel material coupons, loop irradiation testing in the ATR, and post-irradiation examination of one or more uranium-zirconium fuel rodlets, as well as transient experiments in the Transient Reactor Test Facility at INL.

 

In 2023, we worked with INL to complete and issue a Quality Implementation Plan for our collaborative project at INL which was an essential first step to ensure all future work performed at INL on the project would meet the U.S. nuclear industry quality assurance requirements. Additionally, we worked with INL to demonstrate casting of delta-phase uranium-zirconium ingots with depleted uranium using existing INL equipment. As part of that effort, we cast several laboratory-scale ingots using depleted uranium and zirconium alloy materials.

 

On March 18, 2024, we announced a successful extrusion demonstration at INL of a billet into an unclad cylindrical rod, made of depleted uranium and zirconium alloy using the same composition of uranium and zirconium elements in the alloy as what is planned to be ultimately used in Lightbridge Fuel™. Subsequent to that, INL has successfully completed the extrusion of another unclad cylindrical rod, made of depleted uranium and zirconium alloy. A series of additional extrusions have been planned.

 

On March 26, 2024, the Company and BEA entered into Modification No. 2 project task statement (PTS) under the SPPA, dated December 9, 2022, as amended on May 23, 2023, by and between the Company and BEA. Pursuant to the terms of Modification No. 2, the potential amounts payable by the Company to reimburse BEA for its expenses and employee time were increased by approximately $0.6 million, bringing the total estimated cost for the work to be performed under the “umbrella” SPPA to $1.7 million.

 

On October 24, 2024, the Company and BEA entered into Modification No. 3 PTS under the SPPA, dated December 9, 2022, as amended on May 23, 2023 and March 26, 2024, by and between the Company and BEA. Pursuant to the terms of Modification No. 3, the potential amounts payable by the Company to reimburse BEA for its expenses and employee time were increased by approximately $0.3 million, bringing the total estimated cost for the work to be performed under the “umbrella” SPPA to $2.0 million.

 

After Modification No. 3, total cash payments from the Company to BEA under both Agreements were estimated at approximately $4.6 million (excluding project contingencies) on a cost reimbursable basis over the performance periods under the initial releases.

 

 
19

Table of Contents

 

FEED Study with Centrus Energy for a Lightbridge Pilot Fuel Fabrication Facility 

 

On December 5, 2023, we entered into an agreement with Centrus Energy Corp. (Centrus Energy) to conduct a front-end engineering and design (FEED) study for a Lightbridge Pilot Fuel Fabrication Facility (LPFFF) to manufacture Lightbridge Fuel™ using high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) at the American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio. The FEED study’s objective was to identify infrastructure and licensing requirements as well as the estimated cost and construction schedule for the LPFFF. Centrus Energy’s wholly-owned subsidiary, American Centrifuge Operating, LLC, was leading the study.

 

In the second quarter of 2024, the Company and Centrus Energy completed Phase 1 of the FEED Study. On June 27, 2024, Lightbridge and Centrus Energy agreed to a Change Order modifying the remaining scope, schedule, and cost for the FEED study. The total fee was $0.3 million with $0.1 million due upon acceptance of the final report by the Company. In the third quarter of 2024, Centrus completed the remaining scope of work as modified under the Change Order and submitted its final report that was accepted by the Company. In our judgement, the labor effort and schedule estimates show that the Piketon site may be better suited for deployment of an industrial-scale facility rather than a much smaller pilot-scale fuel fabrication facility the Company is looking to establish over the next few years. As such, the Company will not proceed with deployment of a Lightbridge Pilot Fuel Fabrication Facility (LPFFF) at the Piketon site at this time. The Company is currently exploring other options/sites for deployment of the LPFFF.

 

The Company expensed approximately $0.3 million in connection with the work that has been completed by Centrus Energy and has no further obligations to Centrus under the agreement or Change Order.

 

Romania Feasibility Study of Lightbridge Fuel™ for use in CANDU reactors 

 

On October 16, 2023, we engaged Institutul de Cercetări Nucleare Pitești, a subsidiary of Regia Autonoma Tehnologii pentru Energia Nucleara (RATEN ICN) in Romania to perform an engineering study to assess the compatibility and suitability of Lightbridge Fuel™ for use in CANDU reactors. This assessment covers key areas including mechanical design, neutronics analysis, and thermal and thermal-hydraulic evaluations. The findings from this engineering study will play an important role in guiding future economic evaluations and navigating potential regulatory licensing-related issues for potential use of Lightbridge Fuel™ in CANDU reactors. On July 2, 2024, we issued a change order adding a new task to the remaining scope of this engineering study. Following the change order, the Company will be obligated to pay a total fee of approximately $0.2 million for this engineering study, which is expected to be completed in 2024.

 

Nuclear Energy University Program Awards  

 

Texas A&M University (TAMU), NuScale Power, and Structural Integrity Associates are working on a 3-year study of our nuclear fuel, led by TAMU. In mid-2023, TAMU was awarded $1 million by the DOE’s Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) R&D Awards to conduct this study. The project entails a characterization of the performance of the Lightbridge Fuel™ Helical Cruciform advanced fuel design, which will generate sets of experimental data on friction factor, flow, and heat transfer behavior under NuScale’s SMR simulated normal and off-normal conditions.

 

We previously announced the ongoing NEUP project with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The study led by MIT and funded by DOE relates to evaluation of accident tolerant fuels (ATFs) in various SMRs. The project aims to simulate the fuel and safety performance of Lightbridge Fuel™ for the NuScale SMR and provide scoping analysis to improve the safety and economics of water-cooled SMRs.

 

We do not have any contractual obligations with the collaboration teams working on the above-mentioned projects and will not receive any revenue or record any economic benefits from these awards.

 

Future Steps Toward Our Fuel Development and Timeline For The Commercialization of Our Nuclear Fuel Assemblies

 

We anticipate fuel development milestones for Lightbridge Fuel™ over the next 2-3 years will consist of the following:

 

 

·

continue to execute SPPA/CRADA work at INL leading to casting and extrusion of unclad fuel material samples using enriched uranium and their subsequent insertion for irradiation testing in the ATR;

 

 

 

 

·

complete a feasibility study for the use of our nuclear fuel in CANDU heavy water reactors; and

 

 

 

 

·

commence manufacturing efforts relating to co-extrusion of cladded rodlets for loop irradiation testing.

 

 
20

Table of Contents

 

The long-term milestones towards development and commercialization of nuclear fuel assemblies include, among other things, irradiating nuclear material samples and prototype fuel rods with enriched uranium in test reactors, conducting post-irradiation examination of irradiated material samples and/or prototype fuel rods, performing thermal-hydraulic experiments, performing seismic and other out-of-reactor experiments, performing advanced computer modeling and simulations to support fuel qualification, designing a lead test assembly (LTA), entering into a lead test rod/assembly agreement(s) with a host reactor(s), demonstrating the production process of lead test rods and/or lead test assemblies at a pilot-scale fuel fabrication facility and demonstrating the operation of lead test rods and/or lead test assemblies in commercial reactors.

 

There are inherent uncertainties in the cost and outcomes of the many steps needed for successful deployment of our fuel in commercial nuclear reactors, which makes it difficult to accurately predict the timing of the commercialization of our nuclear fuel technology. However, based on our best estimate and assuming adequate R&D funding levels, we expect to begin demonstration of lead test rods and/or possibly LTAs with our metallic fuel in commercial reactors in the 2030s and begin receiving purchase orders for initial fuel reload batches from utilities 15-20 years from now, with deployment of our nuclear fuel in the first reload batch in a commercial reactor taking place approximately two years thereafter. We are exploring ways of shortening this timeframe that may include securing access to expanded irradiation test loop capacity in existing or new research reactor facilities.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make a variety of estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and (ii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods covered by the financial statements. For a discussion of the accounting judgments and estimates that we have identified as critical in the preparation of our financial statements, please see “Critical Accounting Estimates” under Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 4, 2024. There have been no significant changes in our critical accounting policies and estimates during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

 

Our management expects to make judgments and estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. As the number of variables and assumptions affecting the future resolution of the uncertainties increase, these judgments become even more subjective and complex. Although we believe that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable, actual results may differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in estimates and assumptions based upon actual results may have a material impact on our results of operations and/or financial condition.

 

OPERATIONS REVIEW

 

Financial information is included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Condensed Consolidated Results of Operations Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

 

The following table presents our historical operating results and the change in amounts for the periods indicated (amounts reflected in millions):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

Change $

 

 

Change %

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

$1.7

 

 

$1.6

 

 

$0.1

 

 

 

6%

Research and development

 

$1.3

 

 

$0.5

 

 

$0.8

 

 

 

160%

Total Operating Expenses

 

$3.0

 

 

$2.1

 

 

$0.9

 

 

 

43%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Operating Loss

 

$(3.0 )

 

$(2.1 )

 

$0.9

 

 

 

43%

Other Income

 

$0.3

 

 

$0.3

 

 

$

 

 

%

Net loss before Income Taxes

 

$(2.7 )

 

$(1.8 )

 

$0.9

 

 

 

50%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

 

$(2.7 )

 

$(1.8 )

 

$0.9

 

 

 

50%

  

 
21

Table of Contents

 

Operating Expenses

 

General and Administrative

 

General and administrative expenses consist mostly of compensation and related costs for personnel and facilities, stock-based compensation, finance, human resources, information technology, and fees for consulting and other professional services. Professional services are principally comprised of legal, audit, strategic advisory services, and outsourcing services.

 

General and administrative expenses increased by $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase of $0.1 million was primarily due to an increase in employee compensation of $0.1 million, and an increase in stock-based compensation of $0.1 million, offset by a decrease in professional fees of $0.1 million.

 

Research and Development

 

R&D expenses consist primarily of costs associated with our CRADA and SPPA with INL, employee compensation and related fringe benefits including stock-based compensation and other R&D costs for the R&D of our fuel.

 

The following table presents our total R&D expenses, including internal costs and other outside R&D costs, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (amounts reflected in millions):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

INL Project

 

$0.4

 

 

$0.2

 

Centrus Energy FEED Study

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

Allocated employee compensation and stock-based compensation expenses

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.2

 

Other outside R&D expenses

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

Total

 

$1.3

 

 

$0.5

 

 

Total R&D expenses increased by $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, due to the increase in R&D activities related to the development of our fuel. This increase primarily consisted of an increase in INL project labor costs and outside R&D expenses of $0.2 million, an increase in the Centrus Energy FEED Study of $0.1 million, an increase in allocated employee compensation and employee benefits of $0.3 million due to an increase in R&D employees, an increase in consulting fee of $0.1 million and an increase in IT expenses of $0.1 million.

 

Due to the nature of our R&D expenditures, future costs and schedule estimates are inherently uncertain and can vary significantly as new information and the outcome of these R&D activities become available. Our future business operations are dependent on budgetary constraints due primarily to market conditions and the uncertainty of future liquidity and capital resources available to us to conduct our future R&D activities.

 

Other Income

 

The Company’s interest income earned from the purchase of treasury bills and from our bank savings account for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was relatively constant, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023.

 

Condensed Consolidated Results of Operations Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

 

The following table presents our historical operating results and the change in amounts for the periods indicated (amounts reflected in millions):

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

Change $

 

 

Change %

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

$5.7

 

 

$5.1

 

 

$0.6

 

 

 

12%

Research and development

 

$3.2

 

 

$1.3

 

 

$1.9

 

 

 

146%

Total Operating Expenses

 

$8.9

 

 

$6.4

 

 

$2.5

 

 

 

39%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Operating Loss

 

$(8.9 )

 

$(6.4 )

 

$2.5

 

 

 

39%

Other Income

 

$1.0

 

 

$0.9

 

 

$0.1

 

 

 

11%

Net loss before Income Taxes

 

$(7.9 )

 

$(5.5 )

 

$2.4

 

 

 

44%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

 

$(7.9 )

 

$(5.5 )

 

$2.4

 

 

 

44%

 

 
22

Table of Contents

 

Operating Expenses

 

General and Administrative

 

General and administrative expenses consist mostly of compensation and related costs for personnel and facilities, stock-based compensation, finance, human resources, information technology, and fees for consulting and other professional services. Professional services are principally comprised of legal, audit, strategic advisory services, and outsourcing services.

 

General and administrative expenses increased by $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase of $0.6 million was primarily due to an increase in employee compensation and employee benefits of $0.2 million, due to increases in compensation, an increase in recruitment and travel expenses of $0.1 million due to recruitment fees and travel expenses for newly hired R&D employees, an increase in consulting fee of $0.1 million and an increase in stock-based compensation of $0.2 million, due to the stock-based compensation amortization of RSAs issued in November 2023.

 

Total stock-based compensation included in general and administrative expenses was $1.0 million and $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.

 

Research and Development

 

R&D expenses consist primarily of costs associated with our CRADA and SPPA with INL, employee compensation and related fringe benefits including stock-based compensation and other R&D costs for the R&D of our fuel.

 

The following table presents our total R&D expenses, including internal costs and other outside R&D costs, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (amounts reflected in millions):

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

INL Project

 

$1.1

 

 

$0.5

 

Romania Feasibility Study

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

Centrus Energy FEED Study

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

Allocated employee compensation and stock-based compensation expenses

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

0.5

 

Other outside R&D expenses

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.3

 

Total

 

$3.2

 

 

$1.3

 

 

R&D expenses increased by $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023, due to the increase in R&D activities related to the development of our fuel. This increase primarily consisted of an increase in INL project labor costs and outside R&D expenses of $0.6 million, an increase in the Romanian Feasibility Study of $0.1 million, an increase in the Centrus Energy FEED Study of $0.3 million, an increase in allocated employee compensation and employee benefits of $0.6 million due to an increase in R&D employees, an increase in stock-based compensation of $0.1 million and an increase in other R&D expenses of $0.2 million.

 

We currently project investing approximately $6.8 million in the R&D of our nuclear fuel over the next 12 to 15 months.

 

Due to the nature of our R&D expenditures, future costs and schedule estimates are inherently uncertain and can vary significantly as new information and the outcome of these R&D activities become available. Our future business operations are dependent on budgetary constraints due primarily to market conditions and the uncertainty of future liquidity and capital resources available to us to conduct our future R&D activities.

 

Other Income

 

There was an increase in other income of $0.1 million due to rising interest rates over the past year, which resulted in an increase in interest income earned from the purchase of treasury bills and from our bank savings account for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

 

 
23

Table of Contents

 

LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES, AND FINANCIAL POSITION

 

Liquidity Outlook

 

We measure liquidity in terms of our ability to fund the cash requirements of our R&D activities and our general and administrative expenses, including our contractual obligations and other commitments. We believe that based on our current level of operating expenses and currently available cash resources, we will have sufficient funds available to cover our business activities and operating cash needs for the next 12 months. Our long-term cash requirements for R&D are currently estimated to be an average of $10.0 million of outside or third-party R&D expenditures per year over the next 10-15 years. In order to meet these long-term cash requirements for future planned operations to develop and commercialize our nuclear fuel, including any additional expenditures that may result from unexpected developments, it will be necessary for our project to receive direct or indirect funding and/or in-kind support from government and/or strategic partners and/or other third-party sources.

 

At September 30, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $26.6 million, as compared to $28.6 million at December 31, 2023, a decrease of $2.0 million. We raised net proceeds of $3.7 million from the sale of approximately 1.4 million shares of common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Our net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $5.7 million and our cash flow projections indicate that we will have continued negative cash flows for the foreseeable future. We currently do not anticipate any incoming cash flows, other than the sale of common stock through our at-the-market (ATM) offering. We are not profitable, and we cannot provide any assurance that we will become profitable in the future. We will continue to incur losses because we are in the early development stage of commercializing our nuclear fuel.

 

We have approximately $26.9 million of working capital as of the date of this filing. We currently project a negative cash flow from our operations for both our general and administrative and R&D expenses, resulting in total expected expenditures of approximately $14.1 million for the next 12 months. Our R&D expenses are expected to increase over the next 12-15 months. Our cash balance at September 30, 2024, and as of the date of this filing exceeds our anticipated cash requirements for the next 12 months. There are inherent uncertainties in forecasting the R&D and other expenditures that will be required in the future. We may also be unsuccessful in raising the capital necessary in the future to continue the R&D development of our fuel. Once other anticipated agreements are finalized or other future R&D agreements are entered into and the future R&D expenses are known, we expect to incur a significantly higher level of future required R&D expenses and higher negative monthly cash flows from operations.

 

If sufficient funding becomes available to us, our R&D activities may significantly increase in the future. This funding is needed to continue our nuclear fuel development project and to achieve our future R&D milestones. The actual amount of cash we will need to operate is subject to many factors, including, but not limited to, the timing, design and conduct of the R&D work at the DOE’s national laboratories for our fuel along with the cost to commercialize our nuclear fuel. Accordingly, there is high potential for budget variances in the current cost projections and fuel development timelines of our current planned operations over the fuel development period. We will continue to utilize our ATM to finance our future R&D and corporate activities.

 

We will need to receive substantial funding and in-kind support from government, strategic partners and/or other third-party sources throughout our nuclear fuel R&D development period in order to fund our ongoing R&D efforts in the future. If we are unable to obtain such funding and/or in-kind support that meets our future R&D cash requirements, we will need to seek other funding, which may include the issuance of additional shares of the Company’s common stock, if available. This will result in dilution to our existing stockholders. If we can raise additional funds through the issuance of preferred stock, other equity or convertible securities, these securities could have rights or preferences senior to those of our common stock and could contain covenants that restrict our operations in the future. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional equity or debt financing on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

 

Our current source of cash available to us for the next 12 months, in addition to cash and cash equivalents on hand, is the potential funding from equity issuances pursuant to the at-the-market equity offering sales agreement, as amended, with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated. We filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 on March 29, 2024, registering the sale of up to $75 million of the Company’s securities that became effective on April 19, 2024. On May 10, 2024, we filed a prospectus supplement, which was further supplemented on July 19, 2024 and August 9, 2024, pursuant to which we may offer and sell shares of common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $12.6 million from time to time, through the ATM.

 

Although we expect this ATM facility to continue to be a source of working capital for the Company in 2024, there is no assurance that an ATM financing arrangement will be available to us in the future. See Note 7. Stockholders’ Equity and Stock-Based Compensation of the Notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements, of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for information regarding our prior equity financings.

 

 
24

Table of Contents

 

We have no debt or lines of credit, and we have financed our operations to date through the sale of our preferred stock and common stock. Management believes that public or private equity investments may be available in the future; however, adverse market conditions, in our common stock price and trading volume, as well as other factors could substantially impair our ability to raise capital in the future and continue developing our nuclear fuel.

 

Short-Term and Long-Term Liquidity Sources

 

Currently, our primary source of liquidity is cash raised from our ATM facility.

 

As discussed above, we will seek new financing in order to bring us additional sources of capital, depending on the capital market conditions of our common stock. There can be no assurance that these additional sources of capital will be made available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. The primary potential sources of cash that may be available to us are as follows:

 

 

·

equity or debt investment from third-party investors in Lightbridge;

 

 

 

 

·

collaboration with potential industry partners; and

 

 

 

 

·

strategic investment and/or government funding to support the remaining R&D activities required to continue the development of our fuel products and move them to a commercial stage.

 

In support of our long-term business with respect to our fuel technology business, we endeavor to create strategic alliances with other parties to support the remaining R&D activities that are required to further enhance and complete the development of our fuel products to a commercial stage. We may be unable to form such strategic alliances on terms acceptable to us or at all.

 

See Note 7. Stockholders’ Equity and Stock-Based Compensation of the Notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements, of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for information regarding our prior equity financings.

 

The following table provides detailed information about our net cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (amounts reflected in millions):

 

Cash Flows

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

 

$(5.7 )

 

$(4.2 )

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

4.5

 

Net Cash Outflow

 

$(2.0 )

 

$0.3

 

 

Operating Activities

 

Our net cash used in operating activities increased by $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This increase was primarily due to increased spending on R&D, and general and administrative expenses and changes in working capital.

 

 
25

Table of Contents

 

Financing Activities

 

Our net cash provided by financing activities decreased by $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This decrease was due to a decrease in the net proceeds received from the issuance of common stock under our ATM facility.

 

Cash provided by our ATM facility was $3.7 million (sale of approximately 1.4 million common shares) and $4.5 million (sale of approximately 0.9 million common shares) for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity or capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to an investor in our securities.

 

Inflation

 

Our business, revenues, and operating results have not been affected in any material way by inflation.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Company is not required to provide the information required by this Item as it is a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (a) recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (b) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating such controls and procedures, the Company recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

 

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2024, due to the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting described below.

 

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. As previously disclosed in Item 9A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, in management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, management determined that there was a material weakness related to the design of our information technology general controls (ITGC) over logical access to key information systems used in the financial reporting process, resulting in certain segregation of duties conflicts. Additionally, certain business process controls that are dependent on information from these systems were also not effective. Notwithstanding the material weakness, there were no restatements of prior period finance statements, and no changes in previously released financial results were required as a result of the material weakness.

 

Ongoing Remediation of Previously Identified Material Weakness

 

The Company’s management, under the oversight of the Audit Committee, has undertaken measures to remediate these deficiencies. This includes enhancing the design of logical access controls to ensure appropriate segregation of duties through improved internal documentation and monitoring activities. Management began to implement these remedial steps during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 by removing privileged access to accounting software. We have implemented a semi-annual internal review of logical access to key information systems used in the financial reporting process. The material weakness will not be considered remediated until the applicable remedial controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are designed and operating effectively. The Company may also identify additional measures that may be required to remediate the material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, necessitating further action.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Except as noted above, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 
26

Table of Contents

 

PART II-OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings, which arise in the ordinary course of business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business. We are currently not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that we believe, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

There have been no material changes to our risk factors from the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2024, except as set forth below.

 

Potential competitors could limit opportunities to license our technology.

 

Other companies may develop new nuclear fuel designs for use in the same types of reactors that we target. These nuclear fuel designs include, but are not limited to, the ATFs currently being developed and tested by several U.S. and international nuclear fuel suppliers (some with the support of the DOE). Such competitor ATF designs could undermine our nuclear fuel’s economic value proposition if they extend the operating cycle length beyond 18 months. Recently, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved an increase in the burnup limit for a different manufacturer’s ATFs design, which could eventually allow that design to achieve a cycle length beyond 18 months.

 

Some competitors have existing long-term commercial contracts with nuclear power utilities that we do not have. If another company were to successfully develop a new nuclear fuel that competes with our nuclear fuel design technology, opportunities to commercialize our technology might be more limited, and our business would suffer. Moreover, many of these other companies have substantially greater financial, technological, managerial and research and development resources and experience than we do. These larger companies may be better able to handle the corresponding long-term financial requirements to successfully develop new nuclear fuel and bring it to market.

 

Industry groups have proposed initiatives that seek to relax existing licensing constraints, which could potentially result in conventional uranium dioxide and/or ATFs designs achieving additional cycle length extensions and/or extended power uprates in operating light water reactors. Such initiatives, if approved by the NRC, could limit the competitive advantages and market opportunities for Lightbridge Fuel.

 

Development of our nuclear fuel technology is dependent upon the availability of a test reactor and access to adequate resources and manufacturing capabilities at national laboratories.

 

Our fuel designs are still in the research and development stage and further research, development, and demonstration will be required in test facilities. We had intended to conduct further testing of our fuel designs at the Halden research reactor located in Halden, Norway. However, the Halden research reactor, which became operational in 1958, was shut down in June 2018 and will not reopen. The Company has identified alternative options to generate the irradiation data we need to support regulatory licensing of our LTA operation in a commercial reactor, such as the ATR at INL, but pursuing such alternatives to the Halden research reactor may significantly delay further testing of our fuel designs. We may not be able to contractually secure another reactor in which to test our fuel designs. As a result, commercialization of our nuclear fuel technology may be significantly delayed, perhaps indefinitely, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

Our current R&D plan includes the use of research reactors made available by the U.S. government and the DOE, including but not limited to the ATR at INL. These reactors are limited in terms of technical capabilities, operating cycles, and prior reservations for similar research and development services. While the ATR may have enough space for additional flow loops where fuel rods can be irradiated, the reactor currently has only one such loop available, limiting how much fuel rod material that can be inserted into the reactor as well as its duration in the reactor. If sufficient capacity within the ATR is not available on a timely basis, we may not be able to obtain sufficient data to justify regulatory approval for LTA demonstration in a large commercial pressurized water reactor (PWR) in a commercially feasible timeframe. This would likely necessitate additional loop irradiation testing in another test reactor or lead test rod demonstration in a large commercial PWR in addition to the ATR loop testing before LTA demonstration could commence.

 

Funding for any improvement of capabilities or continued operations of these reactors is subject to the priorities of the U.S. government, as well as the appropriation of funding by the U.S. Congress, and cannot be assured. Changes in these factors are outside of the Company’s control and could cause significant delays and/or cost increases in our R&D programs.

 

Furthermore, we currently rely on existing manufacturing equipment and capabilities at INL to demonstrate our co-extrusion fabrication process using depleted uranium and zirconium alloy and to eventually manufacture samples using enriched uranium and zirconium alloy for irradiation testing in a test reactor environment. The Company believes that due to resource and manufacturing equipment constraints, it may not be able to meet the Company’s preferred project timeline, and that total project cost will likely exceed initial budgets.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES OR USE OF PROCEEDS

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company did not issue any unregistered equity securities except as set forth below.

 

On or about August 19, 2024, the Company issued 71,713 shares, valued at a stock price of $2.51 per share, of common stock (having a total ascribed value of $180,000) to Ocean Wall Limited, a consulting and investment research firm for corporate advisory services and preparation and dissemination of a report on the Company, pursuant to a consulting contract dated August 8, 2024.

 

These shares were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

Not Applicable

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not Applicable

 

 
27

Table of Contents

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Trading Arrangements

 

The adoption or termination of contracts, instructions or written plans for the purchase or sale of our securities by our Section 16 officers and directors for the three months ended September 30, 2024, each of which is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act (“Rule 10b5-1 Plan”) and was adopted during an open insider trading window and no sales will commence under the plan until completion of the required cooling off period under Rule 10b5-1, were as follows:

 

Name

 

Title

 

Action

 

Date Adopted

 

Expiration Date

 

Aggregate # of Securities to be Purchased/Sold

Seth Grae(1)

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

Adoption

 

9/12/2024

 

12/4/2025

 

111,636

Larry Goldman(2)

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

Adoption

 

9/12/2024

 

12/11/2025

 

58,126

Andrey Mushakov(3)

 

Executive Vice President of Nuclear Operations

 

Adoption

 

9/13/2024

 

12/14/2025

 

117,761

(1)

Seth Grae, the Chief Executive Officer and Director, entered into a pre-arranged stock trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 on September 12, 2024. Mr. Grae’s plan provides for the sale, subject to certain price limits, of up to 111,636 shares of the Company’s common stock in the aggregate. The plan terminates on December 4, 2025, unless terminated sooner in accordance with its terms.

(2)

Larry Goldman, the Chief Financial Officer, entered into a pre-arranged stock trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 on September 12, 2024. Mr. Goldman’s plan provides for the sale, subject to certain price limits, of up to 58,126 shares of the Company’s common stock in the aggregate. The plan terminates on December 11, 2025, unless terminated sooner in accordance with its terms.

(3)

Andrey Mushakov, the Executive Vice President of Nuclear Operations, entered into a pre-arranged stock trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 on September 13, 2024. Mr. Mushakov’s plan provides for the sale, subject to certain price limits, of up to 117,761 shares of the Company’s common stock in the aggregate. The plan terminates on December 14, 2025, unless terminated sooner in accordance with its terms.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, no other director or officer of the Company adopted, modified or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

 

 
28

Table of Contents

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

EXHIBIT INDEX -  

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

 

 

 

10.1▲

 

Modification No. 3 to the Project Task Statement, dated October 24, 2024, under the Strategic Partnership Project Agreement, dated December 9, 2022, as amended on May 23, 2023 and March 26, 2024, by and between Lightbridge Corporation and Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Lightbridge Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 25, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference)

 

 

 

31.1*

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification - Principal Executive Officer.

 

 

 

31.2*

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification - Principal Financial Accounting Officer.

 

 

 

32*

 

Section 1350 Certifications.

 

 

 

101

 

Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T.

 

 

 

101.INS

 

Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

104

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

 

* Filed or furnished herewith

▲ Certain portions of this Exhibit have been redacted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally an unredacted copy of this Exhibit to the SEC upon request.

 

 
29

Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

LIGHTBRIDGE CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

Date: November 1, 2024

By:

/s/ Seth Grae

 

 

Name:

Seth Grae

 

 

Title:

President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Larry Goldman

 

 

Name:

Larry Goldman

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

 
30

 

nullnullnullv3.24.3
Cover - shares
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Oct. 31, 2024
Cover [Abstract]    
Entity Registrant Name LIGHTBRIDGE CORPORATION  
Entity Central Index Key 0001084554  
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Small Business true  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2024  
Entity Filer Category Non-accelerated Filer  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2024  
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding   15,766,902
Entity File Number 001-34487  
Entity Incorporation State Country Code NV  
Entity Tax Identification Number 91-1975651  
Entity Address Address Line 1 11710 Plaza America Drive  
Entity Address Address Line 2 Suite 2000  
Entity Address City Or Town Reston  
Entity Address State Or Province VA  
Entity Address Postal Zip Code 20190  
City Area Code 571  
Local Phone Number 730-1200  
Security 12b Title Common Stock, $0.001 par value  
Trading Symbol LTBR  
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ  
Document Quarterly Report true  
Document Transition Report false  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
v3.24.3
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Current Assets    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 26,634,951 $ 28,598,445
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 403,922 207,063
Total Current Assets 27,038,873 28,805,508
Other Assets    
Prepaid project costs and other long-term assets 472,875 483,000
Trademarks 108,865 108,865
Total Assets 27,620,613 29,397,373
Current Liabilities    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1,159,566 486,326
Total Current Liabilities 1,159,566 486,326
Stockholders' Equity    
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 authorized shares, 0 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 0 0
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 25,000,000 authorized, 15,276,331 shares and 13,698,274 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively 15,276 13,698
Additional paid-in capital 186,693,926 181,295,125
Accumulated deficit (160,248,155) (152,397,776)
Total Stockholders' Equity 26,461,047 28,911,047
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 27,620,613 $ 29,397,373
v3.24.3
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS    
Preferred Stock, Shares Par Value $ 0.001 $ 0.001
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized 10,000,000 10,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares issued 0 0
Preferred Stock, Shares outstanding 0 0
Common Stock, Shares Par Value $ 0.001 $ 0.001
Common Stock, Shares Authorized 25,000,000 25,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Issued 15,276,331 13,698,274
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding 15,276,331 13,698,274
v3.24.3
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS        
Revenue $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Operating Expenses        
General and administrative 1,676,209 1,609,142 5,626,567 5,071,889
Research and development 1,298,601 552,751 3,232,036 1,367,650
Total Operating Expenses 2,974,810 2,161,893 8,858,603 6,439,539
Other Operating Income        
Contributed services - research and development 0 0 0 31,028
Total Other Operating Income 0 0 0 31,028
Operating Loss (2,974,810) (2,161,893) (8,858,603) (6,408,511)
Other Income        
Interest income 318,649 322,065 1,008,224 869,879
Total Other Income 318,649 322,065 1,008,224 869,879
Net Loss Before Income Taxes (2,656,161) (1,839,828) (7,850,379) (5,538,632)
Income taxes 0 0 0 0
Net Loss $ (2,656,161) $ (1,839,828) $ (7,850,379) $ (5,538,632)
Net Loss Per Common Share        
Basic and Diluted $ (0.19) $ (0.15) $ (0.57) $ (0.47)
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding        
Basic and Diluted 14,189,787 12,252,342 13,871,756 11,902,010
v3.24.3
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY - USD ($)
Total
Accumulated Deficit
Common Stock
Additional Paid-In Capital
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2022     11,900,217  
Balance, amount at Dec. 31, 2022 $ 29,118,155 $ (144,489,130) $ 11,900 $ 173,595,385
Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs, shares     169,978  
Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs, amount 731,052 0 $ 170 730,882
Shares issued to consultant and directors for services, shares     55,835  
Shares issued to consultant and directors for services, amount 215,000 0 $ 56 214,944
Stock-based compensation 284,360 0 0 284,360
Net loss for the period (2,026,580) (2,026,580) $ 0 0
Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2023     12,126,030  
Balance, amount at Mar. 31, 2023 28,321,987 (146,515,710) $ 12,126 174,825,571
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2022     11,900,217  
Balance, amount at Dec. 31, 2022 29,118,155 (144,489,130) $ 11,900 173,595,385
Net loss for the period (5,538,632)      
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2023     12,934,226  
Balance, amount at Sep. 30, 2023 29,207,896 (150,027,762) $ 12,934 179,222,724
Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2023     12,126,030  
Balance, amount at Mar. 31, 2023 28,321,987 (146,515,710) $ 12,126 174,825,571
Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs, shares     320,023  
Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs, amount 1,583,330 0 $ 320 1,583,010
Shares issued to consultant and directors for services, shares     3,658  
Shares issued to consultant and directors for services, amount 15,000 0 $ 4 14,996
Stock-based compensation 316,798 0 0 316,798
Net loss for the period (1,672,224) (1,672,224) $ 0 0
Shares issued pursuant to restricted stock awards, shares     35,088  
Shares issued pursuant to restricted stock awards, amount 0 0 $ 35 (35)
Balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2023     12,484,799  
Balance, amount at Jun. 30, 2023 28,564,891 (148,187,934) $ 12,485 176,740,340
Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs, shares     446,850  
Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs, amount 2,167,104 0 $ 447 2,166,657
Shares issued to consultant and directors for services, shares     2,577  
Shares issued to consultant and directors for services, amount 15,000 0 $ 2 14,998
Stock-based compensation 300,729 0 0 300,729
Net loss for the period (1,839,828) (1,839,828) $ 0 0
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2023     12,934,226  
Balance, amount at Sep. 30, 2023 29,207,896 (150,027,762) $ 12,934 179,222,724
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2023     13,698,274  
Balance, amount at Dec. 31, 2023 28,911,047 (152,397,776) $ 13,698 181,295,125
Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs, shares     427,300  
Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs, amount 1,221,982 0 $ 428 1,221,554
Shares issued to consultant and directors for services, shares     64,206  
Shares issued to consultant and directors for services, amount 255,000 0 $ 64 254,936
Stock-based compensation 456,904 0 0 456,904
Net loss for the period (2,819,584) (2,819,584) $ 0 0
Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2024     14,189,780  
Balance, amount at Mar. 31, 2024 28,025,349 (155,217,360) $ 14,190 183,228,519
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2023     13,698,274  
Balance, amount at Dec. 31, 2023 28,911,047 (152,397,776) $ 13,698 181,295,125
Net loss for the period (7,850,379)      
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2024     15,276,331  
Balance, amount at Sep. 30, 2024 26,461,047 (160,248,155) $ 15,276 186,693,926
Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2024     14,189,780  
Balance, amount at Mar. 31, 2024 28,025,349 (155,217,360) $ 14,190 183,228,519
Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs, shares     400,831  
Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs, amount 982,642 0 $ 400 982,242
Shares issued to consultant and directors for services, shares     5,000  
Shares issued to consultant and directors for services, amount 15,000 0 $ 5 14,995
Stock-based compensation 384,216 0 0 384,216
Net loss for the period (2,374,634) (2,374,634) $ 0 0
Net share settlement for withholding taxes paid upon vesting of restricted stock awards, shares     (4,134)  
Net share settlement for withholding taxes paid upon vesting of restricted stock awards, amount (10,583) 0 $ 4 (10,579)
Balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2024     14,591,477  
Balance, amount at Jun. 30, 2024 27,021,990 (157,591,994) $ 14,591 184,599,393
Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs, shares     608,690  
Shares issued - registered offerings - net of offering costs, amount 1,511,741 0 $ 609 1,511,132
Shares issued to consultant and directors for services, shares     76,164  
Shares issued to consultant and directors for services, amount 195,000 0 $ 76 194,924
Stock-based compensation 388,477 0 0 388,477
Net loss for the period (2,656,161) (2,656,161) $ 0 0
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2024     15,276,331  
Balance, amount at Sep. 30, 2024 $ 26,461,047 $ (160,248,155) $ 15,276 $ 186,693,926
v3.24.3
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Operating Activities    
Net Loss $ (7,850,379) $ (5,538,632)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from operations to net cash used in operating activities:    
Common stock issued for services 50,806 30,000
Stock-based compensation 1,229,597 901,887
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:    
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (37,665) (137,139)
Prepaid project costs and other long-term assets 10,125 (141,375)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 928,240 740,308
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities (5,669,276) (4,144,951)
Investing Activities    
Trademarks 0 (640)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities 0 (640)
Financing Activities    
Net proceeds from the issuances of common stock and tax payments for share settlement of equity awards 3,705,782 4,481,486
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities 3,705,782 4,481,486
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents (1,963,494) 335,895
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period 28,598,445 28,899,997
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period 26,634,951 29,235,892
Cash paid during the period:    
Interest paid 0 0
Income taxes paid 0 0
Non-Cash Financing Activities:    
Payment of accrued liabilities with common stock 255,000 215,000
Common stock issued for consulting services $ 180,000 $ 0
v3.24.3
Nature of Operations Basis of Presentation Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Nature of Operations Basis of Presentation Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements  
Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Note 1. Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

 

When used in these notes, the terms “Lightbridge,” “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” mean Lightbridge Corporation and all entities included in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company was formed on October 6, 2006, when Thorium Power, Ltd., which was incorporated in the state of Nevada on February 2, 1999, merged with Thorium Power, Inc. (TPI), which was incorporated in the state of Delaware on January 8, 1992. On September 29, 2009, the Company changed its name from Thorium Power, Ltd. to Lightbridge Corporation and began its focus on developing and commercializing metallic nuclear fuels. The Company is a nuclear fuel technology company developing its next generation nuclear fuel technology. These condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, TPI, and Lightbridge International Holding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. These wholly-owned subsidiaries are inactive, and all significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Lightbridge Corporation and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, including a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies, have been condensed or omitted from these statements pursuant to such rules and regulations and, accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes necessary for comprehensive condensed consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 4, 2024.

 

In the opinion of the management of the Company, all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the three and nine-month periods have been made. Results for the interim period presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that might be expected for the entire fiscal year.

 

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company determines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between unaffiliated market participants at the measurement date.

 

Accounting Standards Codification (ASC), Fair Value Measurement (ASC 820), establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are categorized based on whether the inputs are observable in the market and the degree that the inputs are observable. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). The categorization of financial instruments within the valuation hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

Level 1 - Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and

 

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s assumptions.

 

For disclosure purposes, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety in the fair value hierarchy level based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the overall fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

The Company’s financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The carrying amounts of accounts payable and accrued liabilities are considered to be a Level 1 measurement, representative of their respective fair values because of the short-term nature of those instruments.

 

At the end of the reporting period, the Company reviews U.S. treasury instruments held to determine whether the securities are of the most recent issuance of that security with the same maturity (referred to as “on-the-run”, which is the most liquid version of the maturity band). If a U.S. treasury instrument held at the end of the reporting period was from the most recent issuance it is classified as level 1, otherwise it is referred to as “off-the-run” and is classified as level 2. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, there were $0 transfers from level 1 to level 2 related to U.S. Treasury instruments acquired on-the-run that as of the reporting period became off-the-run, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s cash equivalents (rounded in millions) that fall within the fair value hierarchy at September 30, 2024. There were no cash equivalents at December 31, 2023.

 

Assets

 

Level I

 

 

Level II

 

 

Level III

 

Treasury Bills

 

$

 

 

$20.0

 

 

$

 

 

Certain Risks and Uncertainties

 

The Company will need additional funding and/or in-kind support via a combination of strategic alliances, government grants, further offerings of equity securities, or an offering of debt securities in order to support its future research and development (R&D) activities required to further enhance and complete the development and commercialization of its fuel products.

 

There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully continue to conduct its operations if there is a lack of financial resources available in the future to continue its fuel development activities, and a failure to do so would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future R&D activities, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Also, the success of the Company’s operations will be subject to other numerous contingencies, some of which are beyond management’s control. These contingencies include general and regional economic conditions, contingent liabilities, potential competition with other nuclear fuel developers, including those entities developing accident tolerant fuels (ATFs), changes in government regulations, risks related to the R&D of our nuclear fuel, regulatory approval of the Company’s fuel, support for nuclear power, changes in accounting and taxation standards, inability to achieve overall short-term and long-term R&D milestones toward commercialization, future impairment charges to the Company’s assets, and global or regional catastrophic events. The Company may also be subject to various additional political, economic, and other uncertainties.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (ASU 2023-07), which expands on the required disclosure of incremental segment information. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09), which requires companies to annually disclose categories in the effective tax rate reconciliation and additional information about income taxes paid. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company expects the new standard to have an immaterial effect on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures upon adoption.

 

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt-Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging- Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), which simplifies the complexity associated with applying U.S. GAAP for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. This ASU (1) simplifies the accounting for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock by removing the existing guidance in ASC 470-20, Debt: Debt with Conversion and Other Options, that requires entities to account for beneficial conversion features and cash conversion features in equity, separately from the host convertible debt or preferred stock; (2) revises the scope exception from derivative accounting in Subtopic 815-40 for freestanding financial instruments and embedded features that are both indexed to the issuer’s own stock and classified in stockholders’ equity, by removing certain criteria required for equity classification; and (3) revises the guidance in ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, to require entities to calculate diluted earnings per share for convertible instruments by using the if-converted method. ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Adoption is either through a modified retrospective method or a full retrospective method of transition. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2024 and the adoption did not have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position, and disclosures because the Company does not have any transactions or instruments to which this standard applies. If in the future, the Company issues new convertible debt, warrants or other instruments, the standard may have a material effect, but it cannot be determined at this time.

The Company has evaluated other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies through the filing date of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and do not believe the future adoption of any such standards will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

v3.24.3
Net Loss Per Share
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Net Loss Per Common Share  
Net Loss Per Share

Note 2. Net Loss Per Share

 

Basic net loss per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period, except that it does not include unvested common shares subject to repurchase or cancellation. Diluted net loss per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options.

 

The outstanding securities noted below have been excluded from the computation of diluted weighted shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, as they would have been anti-dilutive due to the Company’s losses at September 30, 2024 and 2023 and also because the exercise price of certain of these outstanding securities was greater than the average closing price of the Company’s common stock.

 

 

 

Three and Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Stock options outstanding

 

547,362

 

 

503,843

 

Restricted stock awards outstanding

 

 

545,992

 

 

 

451,404

 

Total

 

1,093,354

 

 

955,247

 

v3.24.3
Prepaid Project Costs and Other Longterm Assets
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Prepaid Project Costs and Other Longterm Assets  
Prepaid Project Costs and Other Long-term Assets

Note 3. Prepaid Project Costs and Other Long-term Assets

 

In 2022, the Company entered into two agreements with Idaho National Laboratory (INL), in collaboration with the United States Department of Energy (DOE), to support the development of Lightbridge Fuel™. At the time of signing, the Company made advanced payments for future project work totaling $0.4 million to Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), DOE’s operating contractor for INL. In May 2023, the Company and INL modified the agreements to extend the contract term to May 2029, aligning it with the duration of the irradiation testing and increasing the advanced payments by $0.1 million to $0.5 million. The prepaid project costs were $0.5 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, recorded under Other Assets - Prepaid project costs and other long-term assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

v3.24.3
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities  
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Note 4. Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consisted of the following (rounded in millions):

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Trade payables

 

$0.1

 

 

$0.1

 

Accrued research and development expenses

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

Accrued legal and consulting expenses

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.4

 

Accrued bonus

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$1.2

 

 

$0.5

 

v3.24.3
Commitments and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies  
Commitments and Contingencies

Note 5. Commitments and Contingencies

 

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had total project task orders and contractual commitments for R&D work for the following three R&D projects (rounded in millions):

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

INL Project

 

$2.4

 

 

$2.9

 

Romania Feasibility Study

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

Centrus Energy FEED Study

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

Total

 

$2.4

 

 

$3.6

 

 

Project Task Statements - INL Project

 

On March 26, 2024, the Company and BEA entered into Modification No. 2 to the Project Task Statement (PTS) under the Strategic Partnership Project Agreement (SPPA), dated December 9, 2022, as amended on May 23, 2023, by and between the Company and BEA. Pursuant to the terms of Modification No. 2, the potential amounts payable by the Company to reimburse BEA for its expenses and employee time were increased by approximately $0.6 million, bringing the total estimated cost for the work to be performed under the “umbrella” SPPA to $1.7 million.

 

After Modification No. 2, total cash payments from the Company to BEA under both Agreements were estimated at approximately $4.3 million (excluding project contingencies) on a cost reimbursable basis over the performance periods under the initial releases.

 

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had approximately $2.4 million in outstanding PTSs to BEA relating to the R&D work being conducted under the SPPA and “umbrella” Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) at INL. Performance of work under these agreements may be terminated at any time by either party, without any liability, after the effective date of termination, upon giving a thirty-day written notice under the SPPA and a sixty-day written notice under the CRADA, to the other party. In the event of termination, the Company shall be responsible for BEA’s costs (including the closeout costs), through the effective date of termination, but in no event shall the Company’s cost responsibility exceed the total estimated cost stated in each PTS and any subsequent modification to the PTS.

 

On October 24, 2024, the Company and BEA entered into Modification No. 3 PTS under the SPPA. See Note 8. Subsequent Events of the Notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements, of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information concerning Modification No. 3.

 

Romania Feasibility Study of Lightbridge Fuel™ for use in CANDU reactors

 

On October 16, 2023, the Company engaged Institutul de Cercetări Nucleare Pitești, a subsidiary of Regia Autonoma Tehnologii pentru Energia Nucleara (RATEN ICN) in Romania to perform an engineering study to assess the compatibility and suitability of Lightbridge Fuel™ for use in CANDU reactors.

 

On July 2, 2024, the Company and RATEN ICN agreed to a change order modifying the remaining scope, schedule, and total fee for the engineering study. The revised total fee was $0.2 million. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had approximately $27,000 in remaining outstanding project commitments to RATEN ICN, payable upon the acceptance of the final engineering study report by the Company.

 

FEED Study with Centrus Energy for a Lightbridge Pilot Fuel Fabrication Facility

 

On December 5, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with Centrus Energy Corp. (Centrus Energy) to conduct a front-end engineering and design (FEED) study to evaluate deployment of a Lightbridge Pilot Fuel Fabrication Facility (LPFFF) to manufacture Lightbridge Fuel™ using high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) at the American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon. In the second quarter of 2024, Centrus completed Phase 1 of the FEED Study and issued a report.

 

On June 27, 2024, the Company and Centrus Energy agreed to a Change Order modifying the remaining scope, schedule, and total fee for the FEED study. The revised total fee was $0.3 million with $0.1 million as the remaining amount due to Centrus Energy, upon the acceptance of the final FEED study report by the Company. In the third quarter of 2024, Centrus completed the remaining scope of work as modified under the Change Order and submitted its final report that was accepted by the Company. Subsequently, the Company made its final payment due under the agreement and Change Order to Centrus and has no further obligations to Centrus under the agreement or Change Order.

 

Operating Leases

 

The Company leased office space for a 12-month term from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 with a monthly payment of approximately $8,000. The future minimum lease payments required under the non-cancellable operating leases for 2024 total approximately $0.1 million. Total rent expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was approximately $24,000 and $73,000, respectively. Total rent expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 was approximately $23,000 and $70,000, respectively.

v3.24.3
Research and Development Costs
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Research and Development Costs  
Research and Development Costs

Note 6. Research and Development Costs

 

INL Project

 

In 2022, Lightbridge entered into agreements with BEA, to support the development of Lightbridge Fuel™. These framework agreements use an innovative structure that consists of an “umbrella” SPPA and an “umbrella” CRADA, with an initial duration of seven years. Throughout the duration of these umbrella agreements, all R&D work contracted with BEA is through the issuance of PTSs. The initial phase of work under the two agreements is expected to culminate in future irradiation testing in the Advanced Test Reactor of fuel samples using enriched uranium supplied by the DOE. The initial phase of work aims to generate irradiation performance data for Lightbridge’s delta-phase uranium-zirconium alloy relating to various thermophysical properties. Data gathered during future post-irradiation examination work are expected to support fuel performance modeling and regulatory licensing efforts for the commercial deployment of Lightbridge Fuel™. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded $0.4 million and $1.1 million in R&D expenses associated with INL, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded $0.3 million and $0.6 million in R&D expenses associated with INL, respectively.

 

Romania Feasibility Study

 

On October 16, 2023, the Company engaged RATEN ICN in Romania to perform an engineering study to assess the compatibility and suitability of Lightbridge Fuel™ for use in CANDU reactors. The total price of approximately $0.2 million is payable in three installments, including an advance payment of $0.1 million and an interim milestone payment and final payment totaling approximately $0.1 million. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded zero and $0.1 million, respectively in R&D expenses associated with RATEN ICN.

 

Centrus Energy FEED Study

 

On December 5, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with Centrus Energy to conduct a FEED study to evaluate deployment of a LPFFF at the American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively in R&D expenses associated with this FEED study.

 

In the second quarter of 2024, Centrus completed Phase 1 of the FEED Study and issued a report. In the Company’s judgement, the preliminary labor effort and schedule estimates show that the Piketon site may be better suited for deployment of an industrial-scale facility rather than a much smaller pilot-scale fuel fabrication facility the Company is looking to establish over the next few years. In the third quarter of 2024, Centrus completed the remaining scope of work as modified under the Change Order and submitted its final report that was accepted by the Company. Subsequently, the Company made its final payment due under the agreement and Change Order to Centrus and has no further obligations to Centrus under the agreement or Change Order.

 

The following table presents the total R&D expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (rounded to millions):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

INL Project

 

$0.4

 

 

$0.2

 

 

$1.1

 

 

$0.5

 

Romania Feasibility Study

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

Centrus Energy FEED Study

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

Allocated employee compensation and stock-based compensation expenses

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

0.5

 

Other outside R&D expenses

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.3

 

Total

 

$1.3

 

 

$0.5

 

 

$3.2

 

 

$1.3

 

v3.24.3
Stockholders Equity and Stock-Based Compensation
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Stockholders Equity and Stock-Based Compensation  
Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation

Note 7. Stockholders’ Equity and Stock-Based Compensation

 

At September 30, 2024, the Company had 15,276,331 common shares outstanding (including outstanding RSAs totaling 545,992 shares). Also outstanding were stock options relating to 547,362 shares of common stock (of which 527,697 stock options were vested), all totaling 15,823,693 shares of common stock and all common stock equivalents, potentially outstanding at September 30, 2024.

 

At December 31, 2023, the Company had 13,698,274 common shares outstanding (including outstanding RSAs totaling 557,688 shares). Also outstanding were stock options relating to 510,787 shares of common stock (of which 498,177 stock options were vested), all totaling 14,209,061 shares of common stock and all common stock equivalents, outstanding at December 31, 2023.

Common Stock Equity Offerings

 

At-the-Market (ATM) Offerings

 

On May 28, 2019, the Company entered into an at-the-market equity offering sales agreement with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (Stifel), which was amended on April 9, 2021 and May 8, 2024 (the ATM Agreement), pursuant to which the Company may issue and sell shares of its common stock from time to time through Stifel as the Company’s sales agent. On May 8, 2024, the Company entered into an amendment to the ATM Agreement with Stifel. Under this amended agreement, the Company pays Stifel a commission equal to 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds of any sales of common stock under the agreement. The offering of common stock pursuant to this agreement can be terminated with 10 days written notice by either party. Sales of the Company’s common stock through Stifel, if any, will be made by any method that is deemed to be an “at-the-market” equity offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

On March 29, 2024, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, registering the sale of up to $75.0 million of the Company’s securities, which registration statement was declared effective on April 19, 2024. On May 10, 2024, the Company filed a prospectus supplement, which was further supplemented on July 19, 2024 and August 9, 2024, pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $12.6 million from time to time through its ATM.

 

The Company records its ATM sales on a settlement date basis. The Company sold 1.4 million shares under the ATM for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 resulting in net proceeds of $3.7 million (stock issuance costs were approximately $0.4 million). The Company sold approximately 0.9 million shares under the ATM for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 resulting in net proceeds of $4.5 million (stock issuance costs were $0.2 million).

 

Stock-based Compensation

 

Amendment to 2020 Equity Incentive Plan

 

On March 9, 2020, the Board of Directors adopted the Company’s 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the 2020 Plan). On September 3, 2020, the shareholders approved the 2020 Plan to authorize grants of the following types of awards: (a) Options, (b) Stock Appreciation Rights, (c) Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units, and (d) Other Stock-Based and Cash-Based Awards. The total number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2020 Plan is 2,500,000 shares with 1,471,026 shares available for future issuance at September 30, 2024. On February 27, 2024, the Board of Directors approved an increase of 700,000 shares to the authorized number of shares under the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, increasing the total authorized number of shares from 1,800,000 shares to 2,500,000 shares. This increase was approved by the stockholders at the shareholders’ annual meeting on April 19, 2024.

 

Stock Options

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued 71,330 stock options to two consultants. These options were assigned a fair value of $1.19 per share (total fair value of $85,000). During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company issued 28,538 stock options to two consultants. These options were assigned a fair value of $1.68 per share (total fair value of $47,830).

 

Common Stock

 

Consultants’ Stock Issuances

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company issued 13,201 shares (with stock prices at $3.00 to $4.00 per share) and 9,985 shares (with stock prices at $3.89 to $5.82 per share) of common stock, respectively, to its investor relations firm for services provided during the period, recorded to general and administrative expenses. The expense recorded for these share issuances was $15,000 for each quarter with a weighted average grant date fair value of $3.41 per share.

 

On August 19, 2024, the Board of Directors approved an equity grant valued at $180,000 to a consulting and investment research firm, for corporate advisory services to be provided over a twelve-month period, and preparation and dissemination of a report regarding the Company, which resulted in issuing the consultant 71,713 shares of common stock, valued on the grant date at $2.51 per share. This compensation cost of $180,000 is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Approximately $21,000 of stock-based compensation expense was recorded to general and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

As of September 30, 2024, the unrecognized compensation cost of approximately $159,000 was recorded under Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining service period of 0.8 years.

 

Directors’ Stock Issuances

 

On November 20, 2023, the Board of Directors approved an equity grant valued at $240,000 in total to its six directors, which resulted in granting a total of 60,456 shares of common stock, valued on the grant date at $3.97 per share, which vested and were issued on January 2, 2024.

 

On December 15, 2022, the Board of Directors approved an equity grant valued at $200,000 in total to its five independent directors, recorded in general and administrative expenses, which resulted in granting a total of 52,085 shares of common stock to the five independent directors, valued on the grant date at $3.84 per share, which vested and were issued on January 3, 2023.

 

Restricted Stock Awards

 

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were 545,992 and 557,688 restricted stock awards (RSAs) included in the total issued and outstanding common stock. A total of $1.1 million and $0.9 million of compensation expense was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Compensation expense is recognized straight line over the three-year vesting period.

 

As of September 30, 2024, total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock units was $1.45 million, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average vesting period of 1.64 years.

 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

Stock Options

 

The following assumptions were used in the Black-Scholes pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Expected volatility

 

75.36%-92.89%

 

 

68.13%-95.70%

 

Risk free interest rate

 

3.76%-4.54%

 

 

4.21%-4.88%

 

Dividend yield rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average years

 

2 – 6 years

 

 

1 – 6 years

 

Closing price per share - common stock

 

$2.49 – $2.62

 

 

$4.31 - $4.35

 

 

Total non-cash stock-based compensation expense recorded related to options granted and restricted stock awards included in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows (rounded in millions):

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Research and development expenses

 

$0.1

 

 

$

 

 

$0.2

 

 

$0.1

 

General and administrative expenses

 

$0.3

 

 

$0.3

 

 

$1.0

 

 

$0.8

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

 

$0.4

 

 

$0.3

 

 

$1.2

 

 

$0.9

 

v3.24.3
Subsequent Events
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Subsequent Events  
Subsequent Events

Note 8. Subsequent Events

 

ATM Sales

 

Sales of common stock under the Company’s ATM from October 1, 2024 to November 1, 2024 amounted to 485,571 shares, which resulted in total net proceeds of approximately $1.4 million.

INL Contract

 

On October 24, 2024, the Company and BEA entered into Modification No. 3 PTS under the SPPA, dated December 9, 2022, as amended on May 23, 2023 and March 26, 2024, by and between the Company and BEA. This modification was done to increase funding for additional demonstration extrusions. Pursuant to the terms of Modification No. 3, the potential amounts payable by the Company to reimburse BEA for its expenses and employee time were increased by approximately $0.3 million, bringing the total estimated cost for the work to be performed under the “umbrella” SPPA to $2.0 million.

 

After Modification No. 3, total cash payments from the Company to BEA under both Agreements were estimated at approximately $4.6 million (excluding project contingencies) on a cost reimbursable basis over the performance periods under the initial releases.

v3.24.3
Nature of Operations Basis of Presentation Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Nature of Operations Basis of Presentation Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements  
Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company determines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between unaffiliated market participants at the measurement date.

 

Accounting Standards Codification (ASC), Fair Value Measurement (ASC 820), establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are categorized based on whether the inputs are observable in the market and the degree that the inputs are observable. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). The categorization of financial instruments within the valuation hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

Level 1 - Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and

 

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s assumptions.

 

For disclosure purposes, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety in the fair value hierarchy level based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the overall fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

The Company’s financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The carrying amounts of accounts payable and accrued liabilities are considered to be a Level 1 measurement, representative of their respective fair values because of the short-term nature of those instruments.

 

At the end of the reporting period, the Company reviews U.S. treasury instruments held to determine whether the securities are of the most recent issuance of that security with the same maturity (referred to as “on-the-run”, which is the most liquid version of the maturity band). If a U.S. treasury instrument held at the end of the reporting period was from the most recent issuance it is classified as level 1, otherwise it is referred to as “off-the-run” and is classified as level 2. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, there were $0 transfers from level 1 to level 2 related to U.S. Treasury instruments acquired on-the-run that as of the reporting period became off-the-run, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s cash equivalents (rounded in millions) that fall within the fair value hierarchy at September 30, 2024. There were no cash equivalents at December 31, 2023.

 

Assets

 

Level I

 

 

Level II

 

 

Level III

 

Treasury Bills

 

$

 

 

$20.0

 

 

$

 

Certain Risks and Uncertainties

The Company will need additional funding and/or in-kind support via a combination of strategic alliances, government grants, further offerings of equity securities, or an offering of debt securities in order to support its future research and development (R&D) activities required to further enhance and complete the development and commercialization of its fuel products.

 

There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully continue to conduct its operations if there is a lack of financial resources available in the future to continue its fuel development activities, and a failure to do so would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future R&D activities, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Also, the success of the Company’s operations will be subject to other numerous contingencies, some of which are beyond management’s control. These contingencies include general and regional economic conditions, contingent liabilities, potential competition with other nuclear fuel developers, including those entities developing accident tolerant fuels (ATFs), changes in government regulations, risks related to the R&D of our nuclear fuel, regulatory approval of the Company’s fuel, support for nuclear power, changes in accounting and taxation standards, inability to achieve overall short-term and long-term R&D milestones toward commercialization, future impairment charges to the Company’s assets, and global or regional catastrophic events. The Company may also be subject to various additional political, economic, and other uncertainties.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (ASU 2023-07), which expands on the required disclosure of incremental segment information. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09), which requires companies to annually disclose categories in the effective tax rate reconciliation and additional information about income taxes paid. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company expects the new standard to have an immaterial effect on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures upon adoption.

 

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt-Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging- Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), which simplifies the complexity associated with applying U.S. GAAP for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. This ASU (1) simplifies the accounting for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock by removing the existing guidance in ASC 470-20, Debt: Debt with Conversion and Other Options, that requires entities to account for beneficial conversion features and cash conversion features in equity, separately from the host convertible debt or preferred stock; (2) revises the scope exception from derivative accounting in Subtopic 815-40 for freestanding financial instruments and embedded features that are both indexed to the issuer’s own stock and classified in stockholders’ equity, by removing certain criteria required for equity classification; and (3) revises the guidance in ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, to require entities to calculate diluted earnings per share for convertible instruments by using the if-converted method. ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Adoption is either through a modified retrospective method or a full retrospective method of transition. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2024 and the adoption did not have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position, and disclosures because the Company does not have any transactions or instruments to which this standard applies. If in the future, the Company issues new convertible debt, warrants or other instruments, the standard may have a material effect, but it cannot be determined at this time.

The Company has evaluated other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies through the filing date of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and do not believe the future adoption of any such standards will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

v3.24.3
Nature of Operations Basis of Presentation Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Nature of Operations Basis of Presentation Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements  
Schedule of fair value of treasury bill

Assets

 

Level I

 

 

Level II

 

 

Level III

 

Treasury Bills

 

$

 

 

$20.0

 

 

$

 

v3.24.3
Net Loss Per Share (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Net Loss Per Common Share  
Summary of outstanding securities excluded from diluted weighted shares outstanding

 

 

Three and Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Stock options outstanding

 

547,362

 

 

503,843

 

Restricted stock awards outstanding

 

 

545,992

 

 

 

451,404

 

Total

 

1,093,354

 

 

955,247

 

v3.24.3
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities  
Schedule of accounts payable and accrued liabilities   September 30,  December 31,   2024  2023 Trade payables $0.1  $0.1 Accrued research and development expenses  0.2   — Accrued legal and consulting expenses  0.1   0.4 Accrued bonus   0.8   — Total  $1.2  $0.5 
v3.24.3
Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies  
Schedule Of commitments and contingencies R and D works

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

INL Project

 

$2.4

 

 

$2.9

 

Romania Feasibility Study

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

Centrus Energy FEED Study

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

Total

 

$2.4

 

 

$3.6

 

v3.24.3
Research and Development Costs (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Research and Development Costs  
Schedule of research and development expenses

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

INL Project

 

$0.4

 

 

$0.2

 

 

$1.1

 

 

$0.5

 

Romania Feasibility Study

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

Centrus Energy FEED Study

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

Allocated employee compensation and stock-based compensation expenses

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

0.5

 

Other outside R&D expenses

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.3

 

Total

 

$1.3

 

 

$0.5

 

 

$3.2

 

 

$1.3

 

v3.24.3
Stockholders Equity and Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Stockholders Equity and Stock-Based Compensation  
Schedule of assumptions used in fair value of stock options granted

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Expected volatility

 

75.36%-92.89%

 

 

68.13%-95.70%

 

Risk free interest rate

 

3.76%-4.54%

 

 

4.21%-4.88%

 

Dividend yield rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average years

 

2 – 6 years

 

 

1 – 6 years

 

Closing price per share - common stock

 

$2.49 – $2.62

 

 

$4.31 - $4.35

 

Schedule of stock based compensation expense

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Research and development expenses

 

$0.1

 

 

$

 

 

$0.2

 

 

$0.1

 

General and administrative expenses

 

$0.3

 

 

$0.3

 

 

$1.0

 

 

$0.8

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

 

$0.4

 

 

$0.3

 

 

$1.2

 

 

$0.9

 

v3.24.3
Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details)
$ in Millions
Sep. 30, 2024
USD ($)
Level I  
Treasury Bills $ 0.0
Level II  
Treasury Bills 20.0
Level III  
Treasury Bills $ 0.0
v3.24.3
Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Level II    
Us Treasury Instruments, transfers $ 0 $ 0
v3.24.3
Net Loss Per Share (Details) - shares
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Dec. 31, 2023
Net Loss Per Common Share          
Stock options outstanding 547,362 503,843 547,362 503,843 510,787
Restricted stock awards outstanding 545,992 451,404 545,992 451,404  
Total 1,093,354 955,247 1,093,354 955,247  
v3.24.3
Prepaid Project Costs and Other Long-term Assets (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
May 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets [Member]        
Prepaid project costs $ 500,000 $ 500,000.0    
Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets [Member] | Miniimum [Member]        
Prepaid project costs- addition     $ 100,000  
Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets [Member] | Maxiimum [Member]        
Prepaid project costs- addition     $ 500,000  
Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA) [Member]        
Prepaid project costs       $ 400,000
v3.24.3
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities    
Trade payables $ 0.1 $ 0.1
Accrued research and development expenses 0.2 0.0
Accrued legal and consulting expenses 0.1 0.4
Accrued bonus 0.8 0.0
Total $ 1.2 $ 0.5
v3.24.3
Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Total contractual commitments $ 2.4 $ 3.6
INL Project [Member]    
Total contractual commitments 2.4 2.9
Romania Feasibility Study [Member]    
Total contractual commitments 0.0 0.2
Centrus Energy FEED Study [Member]    
Total contractual commitments $ 0.0 $ 0.5
v3.24.3
Commitments and Contingencies (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jul. 02, 2024
Mar. 26, 2024
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Total Rent Expense     $ 24,000 $ 23,000 $ 73,000 $ 70,000
Operating Lease Monthly Payment         8,000  
Future minimum lease payments required under the non-cancellable operating leases         100,000  
Project Task Statements (Purchase Orders)         $ 2,400,000  
Operating Lease Term         12 months  
Strategic Partnership Project Agreement [Member]            
Increased expenses amount   $ 600,000        
Total cost amount   1,700,000        
Total cash payments   $ 4,300,000        
RATEN ICN. [Member]            
Remaining outstanding project commitments     $ 27,000   $ 27,000  
Total fee for engineering $ 200,000          
FEED Study with Centrus Energy [Member]            
Research and development expense         300,000  
Outstanding fee for Research And Development Expense         $ 100,000  
v3.24.3
Research and Development Costs (Details) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Research and development expenses $ 1,298,601 $ 552,751 $ 3,232,036 $ 1,367,650
INL [Member]        
Research and development expenses 400,000 200,000 1,100,000 500,000
Romania Feasibility Study [Member]        
Research and development expenses 0 0 100,000 0
Centrus Energy FEED Study [Member]        
Research and development expenses 100,000 0 300,000 0
Allocated employee compensation and stock-based compensation expenses [Member]        
Research and development expenses 500,000 200,000 1,200,000 500,000
Other outside R&D expenses [Member]        
Research and development expenses 300,000 100,000 500,000 300,000
Research And Development Expense [Member]        
Research and development expenses $ 1,300,000 $ 500,000 $ 3,200,000 $ 1,300,000
v3.24.3
Research and Development Costs (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Research and development expenses $ 1,298,601 $ 552,751 $ 3,232,036 $ 1,367,650
Centrus Energy FEED Study [Member]        
Research and development expenses 100,000 0 300,000 0
RATEN ICN [Member]        
Research and development expenses total amount     200,000  
Research and development expenses advance payment     100,000  
Research and development expenses interim milestone payment and final payment     100,000  
INL [Member]        
Research and development expenses 400,000 $ 300,000 1,100,000 $ 600,000
Romania Feasibility Study [Member]        
Research and development expenses $ 0   $ 100,000  
v3.24.3
Stockholders Equity and Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Dividend yield rate $ 0 $ 0
Maxiimum [Member]    
Expected volatility 92.89% 95.70%
Risk free interest rate 4.54% 4.88%
Closing price per share - common stock $ 2.62 $ 4.35
Weighted average years 6 months 6 months
Miniimum [Member]    
Expected volatility 75.36% 68.13%
Risk free interest rate 3.76% 4.21%
Closing price per share - common stock $ 2.49 $ 4.31
Weighted average years 2 months 1 month
v3.24.3
Stockholders Equity and Stock-Based Compensation (Details 1) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Total stock-based compensation expense $ 0.4 $ 0.3 $ 1.2 $ 0.9
Research And Development Expense [Member]        
Total stock-based compensation expense 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1
General And Administrative Expense [Member]        
Total stock-based compensation expense $ 0.3 $ 0.3 $ 1.0 $ 0.8
v3.24.3
Stockholders Equity and Stock-Based Compensation (Details Narrative) - USD ($)
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 15, 2022
May 08, 2019
Aug. 19, 2024
Feb. 27, 2024
Nov. 20, 2023
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Sep. 30, 2024
Sep. 30, 2023
Dec. 31, 2023
Stock-based compensation expense               $ 1,229,597 $ 901,887  
Outstanding restricted stock awards           545,992   545,992   557,688
Preferred Stock, Shares outstanding           15,276,331   15,276,331   13,698,274
Stock options vested               527,697   498,177
Total common stock and all common stock equivalents           15,823,693   15,823,693   14,209,061
Stock options outstanding           547,362 503,843 547,362 503,843 510,787
ATM Agreement amendment, description   Under this amended agreement, the Company pays Stifel a commission equal to 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds of any sales of common stock under the agreement. The offering of common stock pursuant to this agreement can be terminated with 10 days written notice by either party                
Shares sale offering price           $ 12,600,000   $ 12,600,000    
Maximum sale of securities registered               $ 75,000,000.0    
Common Stock, Shares Issued           15,276,331   15,276,331   13,698,274
General And Administrative Expense [Member]                    
Stock-based compensation expense           $ 21,000   $ 21,000    
Available for sale Securities [Member]                    
Shares sold under the ATM           1,400,000 900,000 1,400,000 900,000  
Proceeds from shares sold under the ATM               $ 3,700,000 $ 4,500,000  
Stock issuence cost               400,000 200,000  
Restricted Stock Award Activity [Member]                    
Stock-based compensation expense               $ 1,100,000 $ 900,000  
Preferred Stock, Shares outstanding           545,992   545,992   557,688
Compensation expense, vesting period               Compensation expense is recognized straight line over the three-year vesting period    
Unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock units               $ 1,450,000    
Weighted-average period               1 year 7 months 20 days    
2020 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]                    
Common stock available for future issuance               1,471,026    
Total number of common stock available for future issuance           2,500,000   2,500,000    
Description of Equity incentive plan       the Board of Directors approved an increase of 700,000 shares to the authorized number of shares under the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, increasing the total authorized number of shares from 1,800,000 shares to 2,500,000 shares            
Miniimum [Member] | Common Share Issuances [Member]                    
Common stock issuance price               $ 3.00 $ 3.89  
Maxiimum [Member] | Common Share Issuances Two [Member]                    
Common stock issuance price               $ 4.00 $ 5.82  
Common Share Issunces [Member]                    
Stock-based compensation expense               $ 15,000 $ 15,000  
Common Stock, Shares Issued           13,201 9,985 13,201 9,985  
Weighted average grant date fair value               $ 3.41    
Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets [Member]                    
Unrecognized compensation cost               $ 159,000    
Two Consultant [Member]                    
Stock options granted               71,330 28,538  
Options fair value of per share               $ 1.19 $ 1.68  
Total fair value               $ 85,000 $ 47,830  
Board of Directors Chairman [Member]                    
Common shares issuances equity grant value $ 200,000   $ 180,000   $ 240,000          
Common shares equity grant price per shares $ 3.84       $ 3.97          
Additional common shares 52,085   71,713   60,456          
Compensation cost     $ 180,000              
Expected remaining service period               9 months 18 days    
Common stock, valued grant date price per share     $ 2.51              
v3.24.3
Subsequent Events (Details Narrative) - Subsequent Event [Member] - USD ($)
$ in Millions
1 Months Ended
Nov. 01, 2024
Oct. 24, 2024
Net proceeds from sale of common shares $ 1.4  
Total estimated cost for work   $ 2.0
Total cash payments   4.6
Number of common stock shares, sold 485,571  
Potential amounts payable   $ 0.3

Lightbridge (NASDAQ:LTBR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2024 to Dec 2024 Click Here for more Lightbridge Charts.
Lightbridge (NASDAQ:LTBR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Dec 2023 to Dec 2024 Click Here for more Lightbridge Charts.