The company is one of a few drugmakers currently developing a vaccine for the illness, which is spreading rapidly through North America.

Key Takeaways Moderna shares jumped more than 10% to lead S&P 500 gainers Tuesday, a day after the first bird-flu death was reported in the U.S.The biotech company is developing a vaccine for H5N1.Despite Tuesday's gains,

The first bird-flu related death has been reported in the US, according to the Louisiana department of health, where the death occurred. The patient had been taken to hospital after contracting a major strain of bird flu, known as H5N1. Louisiana health department said they were over the age of 65, and had other underlying health conditions.