Hadron Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: HDRN) said it has engaged global law firm DLA Piper LLP (US) to lead its government affairs and federal policy and funding strategy as the company works to advance its Halo Micro-Modular Reactor toward licensing and commercial deployment.

The engagement brings a team from DLA Piper's Regulatory and Government Affairs and Projects practices, including former U.S. Senator Richard Burr, project-finance partner Oliver Wright, and former U.S. Ambassador to Romania Adrian Zuckerman.

Burr served nearly three decades in federal office, including as Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Wright advises on the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects across multiple jurisdictions. Zuckerman, who served as ambassador from 2019 to 2021, helped structure an intergovernmental agreement for the refurbishment and expansion of Romania's Cernavoda nuclear plant during his tenure.

"Commercializing the Halo MMR depends as much on federal funding support and strategy as on engineering," said Sam Gibson, founder and chief executive officer of Hadron Energy.

The Halo MMR is described as a 10-megawatt-electric, factory-manufactured, transportable light-water reactor designed to use Low-Enriched Uranium fuel. Hadron is pursuing licensing through the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission via a Manufacturing License and a Combined Operating License pathway. The company said the NRC has accepted its Quality Assurance Program Description, and it has submitted a Principal Design Criteria white paper.

Hadron has also secured a domestic uranium conversion agreement with ConverDyn, the marketing agent for a uranium hexafluoride conversion facility owned and operated by Solstice Advanced Materials (Nasdaq: SOLS).

Target applications for the reactor include defense installations, data-center campuses, industrial facilities, and remote communities, according to a statement from the company.