Lightbridge Reports Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2019 and Provides Business Update on Enfission and Other Developments
RESTON, Va., May 09, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lightbridge Corporation (NASDAQ: LTBR), a nuclear fuel developer, today provided a business update and reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019.
Seth Grae, President & Chief Executive Officer of Lightbridge Corporation, commented, “We continue to see increased governmental support for nuclear energy in the U.S. and around the world. In April, the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (“GAIN”) initiative of the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) Office of Nuclear Energy announced that Framatome, Inc. had been awarded a nuclear energy voucher to help accelerate development of the Lightbridge Fuel™ design. The DOE established GAIN to provide the nuclear community with technical, regulatory, and financial support to advance innovative nuclear technologies toward commercialization. This GAIN nuclear energy voucher further validates the DOE’s support for our technology.”
“On the intellectual property front, we recently announced a Canadian patent related to our four-lobe metallic fuel rod design and related manufacturing method. We also received a Notice of Allowance in China for another key patent, which relates to a fuel assembly design incorporating multi-lobe fuel rods for use in CANDU heavy water reactors. These patent awards provide long-term IP protection in key markets for our fuel.”
“We continue to work closely with Framatome through the Enfission joint venture to prepare the fuel fabrication facility in Richland, Washington. We are also advancing discussions relating to our first commercial utility agreement. While these agreements are complex, we are encouraged by the progress and remain hopeful we will finalize our first major commercial agreement later this year.”
RECENT ENFISSION R&D ADVANCEMENTS
1. Fabrication:
- Fabricated and characterized uranium-zirconium samples using powder and casting routes at University of Lille
- Preliminary inspection strategy for Lightbridge Fuel™ rods developed
- CERCA, a Framatome R&D workshop facility, construction has been completed; preparations for commissioning are underway
2. Fuel Design:
- Completed a neutronic assessment of various burnable absorbers for Lightbridge Fuel™ rods
- 3-D printed heater rod segments delivered for Critical Heat Flux (CHF) test and hardware preparation
- Completed additional APOLLO-2a modifications, a neutronics code; modifications will model the shroud and corner structure elements within the Lightbridge Fuel™ assembly
3. Regulatory Licensing:
- Completed study of building to building interaction for proposed Enfission Production Facility in Richland, Washington
- Continued development of licensing requirements for lead test rod demonstration
Financial Highlights
- Cash and cash equivalents were $23.5 million at March 31, 2019 compared to $24.6 million at December 31, 2018.
- Total assets were $25.8 million at March 31, 2019 and total liabilities were $0.7 million at March 31, 2019.
- Total equity offerings raised $2 million in net proceeds in Q1- 2019 compared to net proceeds of $24.6 million for equity offerings conducted in Q1 2018.
- Total investment made in the Enfission joint venture, used primarily for research and development work conducted by Enfission for Q1 – 19, was $1.4 million compared to $5.2 million for Q1 2018. This Enfission joint venture was formed in January 2018.
- Stockholders’ equity was $25.1 million at March 31, 2019 compared to $25.9 million at December 31, 2018.
- General and administration expenses for Q1 2019 was $1.3 million compared to $2.2 million for Q1 2018. There was a decrease in stock-based compensation of approximately $0.6 million, a decrease in professional fees of approximately $0.4 million, which was offset by an increase employee compensation and employee benefits of $0.1 million.
- Other operating expenses were $0.9 million for Q1 2019, consisting of our equity in the loss from the Enfission joint venture of $1.3 million, which consisted primarily of research and development expenses, offset by our income from the research and development support we provided to Enfission of $0.4 million. Other operating expenses were $0.6 million for Q1 2018, consisting of our equity in loss from the Enfission joint venture of $1.0 million, which consisted primarily of research and development expenses, offset by our income from the research and development support we provided to Enfission of $0.4 million.
- Lightbridge’s research and development expenses (not including Enfission’s research and development expenses mentioned above) for both Q1 2019 and Q1 2018 was $0.9 million.
- Net loss for Q1 2019 was $3.1 million compared to $4.7 million for Q1 2018, a $1.6 million decrease. This decrease was due to a decrease in general and administrative expenses of $0.9 million, a decrease in other income (expenses) of $1.0 million due to the write off of the deferred financing costs in the first quarter of 2018 for the expired equity line option agreement and an increase in other operating expenses of $0.3 million. Explanations for the decrease in general and administrative expenses and increase in other operating expenses are mentioned above.
2019 First Quarter Conference Call
Lightbridge will host a conference call on Friday, May 10th at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the company's financial results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2019, as well as the Company's corporate progress and other meaningful developments.
Interested parties can access the conference call by calling 877-407-0778 for U.S. callers, or +1-201-689-8565 for international callers. The call will be available on the Company’s website via webcast at http://ir.ltbridge.com/events.cfm. The conference call will be led by Seth Grae, President and Chief Executive Officer and other Lightbridge executives will also be available to answer questions. Questions may also be submitted in writing before or during the conference call to ir@Ltbridge.com.
A webcast will also be archived on the Company’s website and a telephone replay of the call will be available approximately one hour following the call, through 11 a.m. June 10, 2019, and can be accessed by calling: 877-481-4010 (U.S. callers) or +1-919-882-2331 (international callers) and entering conference ID: 46943.
About Lightbridge Corporation
Lightbridge (NASDAQ: LTBR) is a nuclear fuel technology development company based in Reston, Virginia, USA. The Company develops proprietary next generation nuclear fuel technologies for current and future reactors, which significantly enhances the economics and safety of nuclear power, operating about 1000° C cooler than standard fuel. In January 2018, Lightbridge and Framatome, Inc. formed a 50-50 joint venture, Enfission, LLC, to develop, license, manufacture, and sell nuclear fuel assemblies based on Lightbridge-designed metallic fuel technology and other advanced nuclear fuel intellectual property. Enfission has the exclusive rights to this technology and is responsible for the development of manufacturing processes and fuel assembly designs for pressurized water reactors (PWRs), boiling water reactors (BWRs), water-cooled small modular reactors, and water-cooled research reactors developed around this intellectual property. PWRs and BWRs constitute the most widely used reactor types in the world. Four large electric utilities that generate about half the nuclear power in the US already advise Lightbridge on fuel development and deployment. In addition to distributions from Enfission based on the parties’ ownership interest in the joint venture, Lightbridge anticipates receiving future licensing revenues in connection with sales by Enfission of nuclear fuel incorporating its intellectual property. Lightbridge also provides comprehensive advisory services for established and emerging nuclear programs based on a philosophy of transparency, non-proliferation, safety and operational excellence. For more information please visit: www.ltbridge.com.
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Lightbridge is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @LightbridgeCorp at http://twitter.com/lightbridgecorp.
Forward Looking Statements
With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the timing and outcome of research and development activities and other steps to commercialization of Lightbridge Fuel™, the Company's entry into a commercial utility agreement, and the Company's anticipated financial resources and position. . These statements are based on current expectations on the date of this news release and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ significantly from such estimates. The risks include, but are not limited to, the degree of market adoption of the Company's product and service offerings; market competition; dependence on strategic partners; demand for fuel for nuclear reactors; the Company's ability to manage its business effectively in a rapidly evolving market; as well as other factors described in Lightbridge's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Lightbridge does not assume any obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new developments or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Investor Relations Contact:
David Waldman/Natalya Rudman
Tel. +1 855-379-9900
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Lightbridge Corporation
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current Assets | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 23,528,241 | $ | 24,637,295 | ||||
| Other receivable from joint venture | 358,801 | 93,253 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 194,059 | 36,745 | ||||||
| Total Current Assets | 24,081,101 | 24,767,293 | ||||||
| Other Assets | ||||||||
| Patent costs | 1,686,182 | 1,577,421 | ||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 25,767,283 | $ | 26,344,714 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 614,622 | $ | 258,056 | ||||
| Investee losses in excess of investment | 73,295 | 218,263 | ||||||
| Total Current Liabilities | 687,917 | 476,319 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies – (Note 5) | ||||||||
| Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 authorized shares: | ||||||||
| Convertible Series A preferred shares, 813,624 shares and 813,624 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (liquidation preference $2,687,077 and $2,640,862 at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively) | 813 | 813 | ||||||
| Convertible Series B preferred shares, 2,666,667 and 2,666,667 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively (liquidation preference $4,337,455 and $4,262,855 at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively) | 2,667 | 2,667 | ||||||
| Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 authorized, 36,149,325 shares and 32,862,090 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively | 36,149 | 32,863 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 131,647,886 | 129,329,674 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (106,608,149 | ) | (103,497,622 | ) | ||||
| Total Stockholders' Equity | 25,079,366 | 25,868,395 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | $ | 25,767,283 | $ | 26,344,714 | ||||
Lightbridge Corporation
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| March 31, | ||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
| Operating Expenses | ||||||||
| General and administrative | 1,357,762 | 2,223,590 | ||||||
| Research and development | 922,235 | 911,034 | ||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 2,279,997 | 3,134,624 | ||||||
| Other Operating Income and (Loss) | ||||||||
| Other income from joint venture | 355,281 | 400,343 | ||||||
| Equity in loss from joint venture | (1,295,032 | ) | (1,028,327 | ) | ||||
| Total Other Operating Income and Loss | (939,751 | ) | (627,984 | ) | ||||
| Operating Loss | (3,219,748 | ) | (3,762,608 | ) | ||||
| Other Income and (Expenses) | ||||||||
| Interest income | 109,221 | 23,557 | ||||||
| Financing costs | - | (982,436 | ) | |||||
| Total Other Income and (Expenses) | 109,221 | (958,879 | ) | |||||
| Loss before income taxes | (3,110,527 | ) | (4,721,487 | ) | ||||
| Income taxes | - | - | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | (3,110,527 | ) | $ | (4,721,487 | ) | ||
| Accumulated Preferred Stock Dividend | (120,815 | ) | (112,902 | ) | ||||
| Deemed additional dividend on preferred stock dividend due to beneficial conversion feature | (51,371 | ) | (31,134 | ) | ||||
| Deemed dividend on issuance on Series B convertible preferred stock due to beneficial conversion feature | - | (2,624,836 | ) | |||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (3,282,713 | ) | $ | (7,490,359 | ) | ||
| Net Loss Per Common Share, | ||||||||
| Basic and Diluted | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | (0.39 | ) | ||
| Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding | 34,631,048 | 19,231,578 | ||||||
Lightbridge Corporation
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||
| March 31, | ||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||
| Operating Activities: | ||||||||||
| Net Loss | $ | (3,110,527 | ) | $ | (4,721,487 | ) | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss from operations to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 335,013 | 1,273,035 | ||||||||
| Write off of deferred financing costs | - | 982,436 | ||||||||
| Equity in loss from joint venture | 1,295,032 | 1,028,327 | ||||||||
| Changes in operating working capital items: | ||||||||||
| Accounts receivable - fees and reimbursable project costs | - | 10,400 | ||||||||
| Other receivable from joint venture | (265,548 | ) | (488,685 | ) | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | (157,314 | ) | (76,545 | ) | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 356,566 | 140,567 | ||||||||
| Net Cash Used In Operating Activities | (1,546,778 | ) | (1,851,952 | ) | ||||||
| Investing Activities: | ||||||||||
| Investment in joint venture | (1,440,000 | ) | (5,217,000 | ) | ||||||
| Patent costs | (108,761 | ) | (94,800 | ) | ||||||
| Net Cash Used In Investing Activities | (1,548,761 | ) | (5,311,800 | ) | ||||||
| Financing Activities: | ||||||||||
| Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock | 1,986,485 | 20,722,215 | ||||||||
| Net proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock | - | 3,900,001 | ||||||||
| Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities | 1,986,485 | 24,622,216 | ||||||||
| Net Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents | (1,109,054 | ) | 17,458,464 | |||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period | 24,637,295 | 4,515,398 | ||||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period | $ | 23,528,241 | $ | 21,973,862 | ||||||
| Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: | ||||||||||
| Cash paid during the period: | ||||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
| Income taxes paid | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
| Non-Cash Financing Activities: | ||||||||||
| Deemed dividend on Series B convertible preferred stock due to beneficial conversion feature | $ | - | $ | 2,624,836 | ||||||
| Accumulated preferred stock dividend | $ | 172,186 | $ | 144,036 | ||||||
Released May 9, 2019