Moderna said it is researching vaccines to protect against hantavirus, even as public health experts downplay the risk of the deadly pathogen aboard a cruise ship becoming a significant threat.
Moderna has conducted early-stage vaccine research on hantavirus with the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, the company said in a statement. The company is also working with the Vaccine Innovation Center at Korea University College of Medicine on a potential immunization. Research began before the recent outbreak on the Dutch-flagged ship Hondius.
“These efforts are early-stage and ongoing and reflect Moderna’s broader responsibility to develop countermeasures against emerging infectious diseases,” the company said.
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Moderna shares rose 11.97% this Friday (8) in New York.
Although it is best known for its Covid vaccine, Moderna is also researching vaccines for other potential pandemics. The company is currently conducting an advanced-stage clinical study of an avian flu vaccine, with support from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (Cepi). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last year ended funding to Moderna for vaccines against bird flu and other diseases.
The company claims its mRNA technology would enable a faster response in a pandemic than older technologies, which typically require months to grow a virus.
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