Washington, D.C., 26 January 2018 – Hogan Lovells represented nuclear fuel technology development company Lightbridge Corporation (NASDAQ: LTBR) in its recently announced joint venture with Framatome, a leading provider of nuclear fuel, components, and reactor services. Under the announced deal, the two companies agreed to form  Enfission, a 50-50 joint venture company to develop, license, and sell nuclear fuel assemblies based on Lightbridge-designed metallic fuel technology and other advanced nuclear fuel intellectual property

The advanced nuclear fuel technology produced by Enfission will work in existing and new nuclear reactors and improve economics by increasing power output and enabling longer fuel cycles. It will also dramatically improve reactor safety and be more accident tolerant and safer than current fuel technologies. Both parties anticipate building a new fuel-manufacturing facility in Virginia or Washington State with support deployment of lead-test assemblies in the U.S. in the 2020 timeframe.

“Professionals at Hogan Lovells work seamlessly across practice areas and continents, providing the highest quality legal counsel. The firm has played essential roles in our recent achievements,” said Seth Grae, Lightbridge president and CEO.

Based in Reston, VA, Lightbridge develops proprietary next generation nuclear fuel technologies to significantly enhance the economics and safety of nuclear power. The company also provides comprehensive advisory services for established and emerging nuclear programs based on a philosophy of transparency, non-proliferation, safety and operational excellence. Internationally recognized for its innovative solutions and value-added technologies, Framatome is a major international player in the nuclear energy market recognized for its innovative solutions and value-added technologies for designing, building, maintaining, and advancing the global nuclear fleet.

Lightbridge was represented by a Hogan Lovells team that included a number of attorneys across offices and practice groups, including team lead senior counsel Steve Miller, partners Amy Roma, Jeffrey Whittle, and David Crandall, and associates Polly Sims, and Agathe Michel-de Cazotte.