Molbio Diagnostics, an innovative point-of-care diagnostics company, has been awarded the KOCHON Prize 2024 by the Stop TB Partnership, a hosted entity of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
This global recognition celebrates Molbio’s pioneering efforts in expanding access to the latest diagnostic tools and innovations for people affected by tuberculosis (TB), advancing progress toward the UN High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) targets. With this distinction, Molbio becomes the first private company globally—and only the third Indian entity after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Dr. L.S. Chauhan—to receive this honour.
The Kochon Prize, established by the Kochon Foundation in memory of its late chairman, Chong-Kun Lee, is the world’s largest award dedicated to tuberculosis. It recognizes individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the global fight against TB.
Molbio’s revolutionary Truenat platform, a portable, battery-operated, real-time PCR system, has transformed TB testing by decentralizing diagnostics. Its compact design allows reliable testing without laboratory infrastructure, ensuring accuracy even in remote and resource-limited settings. Beyond TB, Truenat has been adapted for detecting other infectious diseases such as hepatitis, COVID-19, and HPV.
Dr. Chandrashekhar Nair, Chief Technical Officer of Molbio Diagnostics, stated, “It is deeply fulfilling to see India’s indigenous innovation driving better health outcomes across the world. This recognition is a tribute to the unwavering dedication of our teams who have worked relentlessly to translate that vision into reality.”
Molbio’s Executive Director and CEO, Sriram Natarajan, expressed gratitude to the Government of India, ICMR, WHO, and the global TB community for their support and endorsement of the Truenat® platform. As a gesture of appreciation, Molbio is donating its prize money back to the Stop TB Partnership, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening TB programs worldwide.
Endorsed by the World Health Organization and the Indian Council of Medical Research, Truenat devices are now deployed in more than 80 countries, supporting over 10,000 installations globally.
With this recognition, Molbio continues to represent India’s leadership in global health innovation, using science, technology, and compassion to make healthcare more accessible and equitable for all.
