India’s Molbio Diagnostics has been awarded the prestigious Kochon Prize 2024 for its groundbreaking portable molecular diagnostic platform, a transformative innovation that has significantly advanced the fight against infectious diseases globally.

The Kochon Prize, instituted by the Stop TB Partnership and funded by the Kochon Foundation of South Korea, recognizes individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to combating tuberculosis (TB) and other major public health challenges.

Molbio Diagnostics was honored for its Truenat platform—a portable, battery-operated, real-time PCR system that enables rapid, accurate molecular testing even in remote and resource-limited settings. The device has been instrumental in early TB detection, including drug-resistant strains, and has been endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a replacement for smear microscopy.

The company’s innovation has helped bridge the diagnostic gap in underserved regions, facilitating timely diagnosis and treatment, which are critical in preventing disease transmission. Beyond TB, the Truenat technology is also being used to detect a wide range of diseases, including COVID-19, HIV, Hepatitis, and Malaria.

Accepting the award, a spokesperson for Molbio Diagnostics said, “This recognition underscores our mission to make high-quality diagnostics accessible to everyone, everywhere. The Kochon Prize inspires us to continue developing technologies that drive equitable healthcare delivery.”

The award reaffirms India’s growing leadership in affordable healthcare innovation and highlights the nation’s contribution to global health security through indigenous, scalable solutions.