The 2017 Kochon Prize was awarded to the Indian Council of Medical Research in New Delhi on Tuesday for building a tradition of excellence in TB research and development.

The $65,000 prize is awarded annually by Stop TB Partnership to individuals and/or organizations that have made a significant contribution to combating the disease.

The ICMR emerged the winner from among 18 nominations.

“I am delighted that this year’s Kochon Prize to the ICMR recognises decades of ground-breaking TB research by India, which shaped the global DOTS strategy. The award is richly deserved, and timely, as India has raised its ambition and political commitment,” said Madhukar Pai, a TB expert from McGill University, Montreal, Canada.