** Shares of Sam Altman-backed nuclear startup Oklo OKLO.N rise ~5% to $28.50 premarket

** Co says it is initiating a Pre-Application Readiness Assessment with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission $(NRC)$ for its Aurora Powerhouse reactors

** The assessment will begin in late March, and is designed to address the content of the first phase of Oklo's combined license application submission $(COLA)$ for the reactors

** "The readiness assessment allows NRC staff to review and familiarize themselves with Oklo's licensing materials ahead of the full application review" - Oklo says

** As of last close, stock is up ~28% YTD

(Reporting by Vallari Srivastava in Bengaluru)

((Srivastava.Vallari@thomsonreuters.com;))