Moderna shares rise over 16% on news of early hantavirus vaccine research.

Moderna's stock has gained more than 16% in five days following reports of its early-stage hantavirus vaccine development. The company is expanding its infectious disease research pipeline, although hantavirus's commercial potential is limited due to its low incidence. Interest in hantavirus surged after three cruise ship passengers recently died from the rare rodent-borne disease. Unlike respiratory viruses, hantavirus spreads mainly through contact with infected rodents, not person-to-person transmission.