Lightbridge Receives Notice of Allowance on New Patent from the Eurasian Patent Office

Rhea-AI Summary

Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR) received a Notice of Allowance from the Eurasian Patent Office on Nov 3, 2025 for a multi-zone nuclear fuel rod design.

The allowed claims derive from PCT application WO2023034173A1 (filed Aug 2022) and cover methods and apparatus to fabricate fuel rods by additive manufacturing with distinct radial and axial zones of refractory metals, alloys, and fuel materials (zirconium alloys with uranium, plutonium, or thorium). The company highlighted Eurasia as a key market with over 40 operating reactors and said the technology targets improved reactor economics, safety, and fuel utilization for light-water reactors and SMRs.

Positive

• Notice of Allowance issued by Eurasian Patent Office (Nov 3, 2025)
• Claims derive from PCT WO2023034173A1 filed Aug 2022
• Patent covers additive manufacturing for multi-zone fuel rods
• Targets performance gains for light-water reactors and SMRs

Negative

• Allowance is for the Eurasian patent only; geographic scope is limited

RESTON, Va., Nov. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lightbridge Corporation (“Lightbridge” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LTBR), an advanced nuclear fuel technology company, today announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the Eurasian Patent Office for its innovative multi-zone nuclear fuel rod design. Specifically, this patent covers methods and apparatus for fabricating fuel rods using additive manufacturing techniques, enabling the creation of distinct radial and axial zones with varying compositions of refractory metals and alloys, as well as fuel materials, such as zirconium alloys combined with uranium, plutonium, or thorium.

The allowed claims, stemming from PCT application WO2023034173A1, which was filed in August 2022, describe a multi-zone fuel element structure where material properties and thicknesses vary along the axial or radial direction, thereby optimizing performance in nuclear reactors.

Seth Grae, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lightbridge Corporation, commented, “This Notice of Allowance strengthens our intellectual property portfolio in Eurasia, a key region for nuclear energy deployment, home to over 40 operating reactors and ambitious expansion plans. Our patented additive manufacturing approach for multi-zone fuel rods represents a key innovation in producing next-generation Lightbridge Fuel™ rods, which can improve reactor economics, safety, and fuel utilization in both existing light-water reactors and emerging SMRs.”

About Lightbridge Corporation 
Lightbridge Corporation (NASDAQ: LTBR) is focused on developing advanced nuclear fuel technology essential for delivering abundant, zero-emission, clean energy and providing energy security to the world. The Company is developing Lightbridge Fuel™, a proprietary next-generation nuclear fuel technology for existing light water reactors and pressurized heavy water reactors, significantly enhancing reactor safety, economics, and proliferation resistance. The Company is also developing Lightbridge Fuel for new small modular reactors (SMRs) to bring the same benefits plus load-following with renewables on a zero-carbon electric grid.

Lightbridge has entered into two long-term framework agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance LLC, the United States Department of Energy’s operating contractor for Idaho National Laboratory, the United States' lead nuclear energy research and development laboratory. DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear program has twice awarded Lightbridge to support the development of Lightbridge Fuel over the past several years. Lightbridge is participating in two university-led studies through the DOE Nuclear Energy University Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Texas A&M University. An extensive worldwide patent portfolio backs Lightbridge’s innovative fuel technology. Lightbridge is included in the Russell 2000® Index and the Russell 3000® Index. For more information, please visit www.ltbridge.com.

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Forward Looking Statements 
With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed herein are forward-looking statements. 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: Lightbridge’s ability to commercialize its nuclear fuel technology; the degree of market adoption of Lightbridge’s product and service offerings; Lightbridge’s ability to fund general corporate overhead and outside research and development costs; market competition; our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; dependence on strategic partners; demand for fuel for nuclear reactors; Lightbridge’s ability to manage its business effectively in a rapidly evolving market; the availability of nuclear test reactors and the risks associated with unexpected changes in Lightbridge’s fuel development timeline; the increased costs associated with metallization of Lightbridge’s nuclear fuel; public perception of nuclear energy generally; changes in the political environment; risks associated with war in Europe; changes in the laws, rules and regulations governing Lightbridge’s business; development and utilization of, and challenges to, Lightbridge’s intellectual property; risks associated with potential shareholder activism; potential and contingent liabilities; as well as other factors described in Lightbridge's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Lightbridge does not assume any obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new developments or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. 
  
A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Lightbridge’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and in its other filings with the SEC, including in the sections thereof captioned “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements,” all of which are available at http://www.sec.gov/ and www.ltbridge.com.  
  
Investor Relations Contact: 
Matthew Abenante, IRC 
Director of Investor Relations  
Tel: +1 (347) 947-2093  
ir@ltbridge.com  

FAQ

What did Lightbridge announce on Nov 3, 2025 regarding LTBR?

Lightbridge announced a Notice of Allowance from the Eurasian Patent Office for a multi-zone fuel rod patent.

Which patent application underlies the Eurasian allowance for LTBR?

The allowed claims stem from PCT application WO2023034173A1, filed in August 2022.

What technology does the LTBR patent cover and how is it made?

It covers additive manufacturing methods and apparatus to create fuel rods with distinct radial and axial zones.

Which fuel materials are mentioned in the LTBR allowed claims?

The claims reference refractory metals and alloys and fuel materials including zirconium alloys with uranium, plutonium, or thorium.

How does Lightbridge say the patent could affect reactors and markets?

The company said the technology can improve reactor economics, safety, and fuel utilization for existing light-water reactors and SMRs, and strengthens IP in Eurasia.

Does the Nov 3, 2025 allowance create global patent protection for LTBR?

No; the notice is an allowance from the Eurasian Patent Office, so protection indicated is specific to that jurisdiction.