health
May 8, 2026
Moderna announces work to develop a hantavirus vaccine and rises 14% on the stock market
The U.S. biotechnology laboratory Moderna reported this Friday on preliminary research for the development of a hantavirus vaccine, which caused the pharmaceutical company to surge more than 14% on the New York Stock Exchange. El Mundo The hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship ‘MV Hondius’ – which has so far left three people dead – has alerted the international community to the fear of a possible health emergency, despite experts pointing out that the risks of the virus spreading are not currently high. In this situation, Moderna has announced that it is developing preclinical work – initiated even before the outbreak on the ship – to investigate a possible vaccine against this virus together with the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases. The pharmaceutical company is also collaborating with the Vaccine Innovation Center of the Korea University School of Medicine for possible immunization. "These efforts are in an early stage and ongoing, and reflect Moderna's responsibility to develop countermeasures against emerging infectious diseases," according to a statement issued by the company and reported by the agency ‘Bloomberg’. Following the announcement, Moderna's stock price was up more than 14% daily in U.S. stock markets, trading at $55.50 per share.
TL;DR
- Moderna is researching a potential hantavirus vaccine.
- Preclinical work began before the recent cruise ship outbreak.
- Collaborations are underway with the U.S. Army's infectious disease institute and Korea University.
- The announcement led to a more than 14% increase in Moderna's stock value.
- International concern has been raised by a hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship ‘MV Hondius’.