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[Note: This case study was originally published in 2009. Download a PDF or read the case study here.]

A global public-private partnership is in the final stages of a product development and technology transfer program that intends to deliver the world’s first safe, affordable and effective hookworm vaccine to a neglected population — an estimated 3.2 billion men, women and children who live in impoverished rural areas of sub-Saharan African, Southeast Asia, India and the tropical regions of the Americas and are at risk for hookworm infection.

Lessons Learned:

• Strong but flexible program management that coordinates activities, timelines and budgets across continents is critical to achieving success.
• Technical challenges can be overcome with a flexible strategy that allows for collaborative approaches by the program’s partners.
• Functional working relationships with oversight agencies and continued open communication can help partners meet important project milestones.