ICMR wins the 2017 Kochon Prize for TB research 

ICMR wins the 2017 Kochon Prize for TB research

Context

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

Kochon Prize

The $65,000 Prize is awarded annually by Stop TB Partnership to individuals and/or organizations that have made a significant contribution to combating TB. The ICMR emerged the winner from amongst 18 nominations

Impact

• The Prize sends a strong message that investing in research is critically important to end TB epidemic. The recognition comes at a crucial time when the Indian government is increasing its commitment to end TB
• The award will improve the profile of ICMR, bring more awareness and funding for research and attract more people to take up research on TB

What is TRC?

Since its inception in 1956, Chennai’s National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT) [which was formerly known as the Tuberculosis Chemotherapy Centre and later as Tuberculosis Research Centre (TRC)] has undertaken several trials that had had impact internationally

• BCG trial: The BCG vaccine trial by TRC, the largest ever to be conducted, followed-up 350,000 volunteers for 15 years
• TRC has also conducted more than 50 drug combination and duration trails for both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB, and undertaken pharmacokinetic studies for dosing. It has developed new diagnostics, and tested and validated diagnostics developed elsewhere