Last night, former President Bill Clinton accepted the Prix Galien USA’s Pro Bono Humanum Award, which was given to his group, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and non-profit humanitarian organization UNITAID for their joint efforts to combat the global AIDS epidemic.

The award, considered the biopharmaceutical research industry’s Nobel Prize, was presented to Clinton and UNITAID President Philippe Douste-Blazy at a black tie event held in the Museum of Natural History.

The two groups have collaborated to increase access to AIDS/HIV, malaria and tuberculosis medication by lowering the prices and increased the availability of these drugs, particularly in developing countries.

As a direct result of their efforts, more than 456,000 people in 40 developing countries have received aid.

Clinton expressed gratitude for receiving the award, but said there is still work that needs to be done.

“In the coming years, I hope pharmaceutical research will not involve just advancements in medical technology but research in innovative delivery systems that will allow us to help the most number of people with the resources and capital that we have,” he said.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon was also in attendance and said, “Health is at the heart of the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. This is the promise to the poor, the blueprint for a better world. … Thank you for your commitment and leadership.”

Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel also thanked Clinton.

“Mr. Clinton, when you were President, you had adversaries, and maybe even enemies. But today, you have no adversaries and you have no enemies. The entire world, if it could vote again, oh my God,” Wiesel said to applause.

He continued: “All these men and women are trying to save human lives. Is there anything more noble than that? … And tonight, all these men and women are gathered here to celebrate your work, Mr. President.”