Kochon Prize Awards Molbio Diagnostics for Reaching the Unreached with TB Tech
India’s Molbio Diagnostics has been awarded the world’s largest prize dedicated to tuberculosis (TB), the esteemed Kochon Prize, recognising its pioneering molecular diagnostics technology that is reaching underserved populations in over 90 countries. This marks the third time India has won the award, following previous recipients Dr LS Chauhan in 2006 and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 2017.
The prize, presented by the Korean Kochon Foundation in Manila on 29 October 2025, includes a medal and US$65,000, making it the largest global award devoted to TB. Molbio is also the first private company to receive this prestigious recognition.
Molbio Diagnostics, founded in 2000 by Sriram Natarajan, has revolutionised molecular diagnostics through its Truenat platform. Traditionally, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were confined to high-security laboratories requiring stable electricity, air conditioning, and specialised infrastructure, limiting access for rural and underserved communities.
Truenat, however, is a portable, battery-operated RT-PCR test, capable of functioning in resource-limited settings, including those without reliable power supply. Validated by India’s ICMR in 2017 and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020, Truenat has become the first truly decentralised, point-of-care molecular test for TB. It also supports diagnostics for over 40 other diseases, including HPV, hepatitis B and C, sexually transmitted infections, and COVID-19.
“Unless the best health technologies reach those who need them most, human suffering and preventable deaths will continue,” said Tariro Kutadza, a Zimbabwean community rights activist and leader of TB People. She attended the Kochon Prize ceremony in Manila, highlighting the importance of deploying diagnostic innovations at the point-of-need.
Truenat has significantly contributed to the WHO’s Find. Treat. All. initiative, replacing microscopy with upfront molecular testing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In India, a recent 100-day campaign screened over 120 million high-risk individuals using handheld AI-powered X-rays and Truenat, identifying 285,000 previously undetected TB cases and ensuring timely treatment.
The technology has expanded globally, with deployments in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where solar-powered Truenat devices allow testing in areas without electricity. As of 2025, Molbio Diagnostics’ tools are operational in 82 countries, bringing sensitive, high-specificity diagnostics closer to communities that need them most.
Dr Urvashi B Singh, head of India’s National TB Elimination Programme, emphasised the national and global impact: “By developing, validating, and deploying indigenous technologies like Truenat, India has become self-reliant while enabling access to diagnostics for millions worldwide. This is a game-changer for TB elimination and public health globally.”
Molbio Diagnostics’ recognition with the Kochon Prize underscores the critical role of innovative, accessible technology in tackling TB and other infectious diseases, particularly among underserved populations.
