PSC Biotech appointed sole Sales Agent for APAS Independence across the US, Canada and Singapore
Clever Culture Systems (ASX: CC5) has appointed PSC Biotech Corporation as the sole Sales Agent for APAS Independence across the pharmaceutical manufacturing market in the United States, Canada and Singapore. The Sales Agent Agreement was fully executed on 13 October 2026.
The appointment opens a new pharmaceutical customer segment, extending the company’s sales reach beyond its current direct focus on the Top-20 global pharmaceutical companies. According to the announcement, it provides an additional channel without requiring CCS to build a larger corresponding sales organisation.
Brent Barnes, CEO and Managing Director
“…The PSC Biotech partnership provides a new, complementary and incremental channel to broaden our reach across the US pharmaceutical market, particularly into mid-tier and regional manufacturers that are outside our current direct-sales focus. We expect this market expansion to generate a meaningful increase in qualified sales opportunities over the coming 12 months, with APAS Independence instrument sales converting from these opportunities from FY28 and beyond.”
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A complementary channel alongside the “Land & Expand” strategy
The agreement preserves CCS’s direct “Land & Expand” strategy for strategically important global pharmaceutical accounts and multi-site enterprise opportunities. PSC Biotech adds a second route to market, aimed at a different group of manufacturers.
The direct strategy is already producing repeat business, with a Novo Nordisk reorder lifting that customer’s installed base to three instruments and moving it into formal global validation.
How the model works
Under the Sales Agent Agreement, the division of responsibilities is as follows:
- PSC Biotech identifies and develops new sales opportunities for APAS Independence through its established pharmaceutical customer network.
- Qualified sales opportunities are referred to CCS.
- CCS retains responsibility for closing the sale, instrument pricing and all recurring software and service revenue.
- PSC Biotech receives a commission on hardware sales.
The channel is described as incremental and non-duplicative, targeting regional, medium and large pharmaceutical manufacturers. All ongoing software and service revenues remain with CCS and are excluded from the commission structure.
Commercial validation behind the move
Over the past two years, CCS has established APAS Independence within the sterile drug manufacturing market. The system is now being deployed and evaluated across a growing base of pharmaceutical manufacturers, including eight of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.
The company describes this as providing an established platform from which to expand adoption across individual customer networks and the broader pharmaceutical market. The PSC Biotech partnership is incremental to that strategy, with an expected uplift to instrument sales from FY28 onwards.
For readers wanting to see how a large global account enters the pipeline, our full explainer on the CSL Behring lease order details the 5-year all-inclusive structure and why the Broadmeadows evaluation could open a multi-site deployment path.
What is a sales agent model, and why does it matter?
A sales agent finds potential customers and refers them to a company, while the company itself closes the sale. In this case, CCS keeps responsibility for the sale with the end customer.
Commission is linked to results. CCS pays PSC Biotech a commission on APAS Independence sales from accepted qualified opportunities, payable 30 days after CCS receives payment from the customer.
For investors, the structure offers wider market reach without CCS building a larger corresponding sales organisation. CCS also keeps all recurring software and service revenue. The commission rate has not been disclosed.
PSC Biotech’s reach and the BioTechnique Centre of Excellence
Partner profile
PSC Biotech is described in the announcement as follows:
- A global life sciences services company specialising in validation, engineering and regulatory consulting services to the pharmaceutical industry.
- Over 500 employees globally.
- More than 1,000 customers served.
- Founded in 1996, and operating in 52 countries, according to the company’s own profile.
The partnership is also expected to create new opportunities for PSC Biotech to sell its validation capabilities, which the announcement describes as a mutually beneficial relationship.
Committed instrument purchase
PSC Biotech has committed to purchase one APAS Independence instrument and must raise a purchase order within 90 days of contract signing. The instrument will be installed at its wholly owned Contract Drug Manufacturing (CDMO) business, BioTechnique, in York, Pennsylvania.
The instrument will be qualified and validated onsite for GMP use, providing a live pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. It will also establish a US centre of excellence for future product showcases, customer demonstrations and prospective customer evaluations.
Key terms of the Sales Agent Agreement
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| Parties | CCS and PSC Biotech |
| Initial term | **36 months**, with an option to extend **24 months** by mutual agreement |
| Exclusivity | PSC Biotech is the sole Sales Agent for APAS Independence in the pharmaceutical manufacturing market in the United States, Canada and Singapore. CCS may not appoint another third party to provide such services in the nominated regions during the term, but is not itself restricted from providing such services there. |
| Remuneration | Commission on sales from accepted qualified opportunities referred by PSC Biotech, payable **30 days** after CCS receives customer payment |
| Purchase commitment | Purchase order for one instrument within **90 days** of contract signing |
| Termination | Either party may terminate with **3 months’** written notice. Commission remains payable on sales to the agreed list of qualified customer leads completed within **9 months** of termination or expiry. |
PSC Biotech is responsible for marketing and promotional activities for APAS Independence in those regions and for referring qualified customer leads to CCS.
What investors should watch next
Several milestones follow from the announcement:
- An investor call with the CEOs of CCS and PSC Biotech on 15 October 2026 at 8:30am, hosted by Brent Barnes and joined by John Clapham. Registration is required, a Q&A session is held, and a recording is available for 60 days afterwards.
- PSC Biotech’s purchase order, due within 90 days of contract signing.
- Growth in qualified sales opportunities over the coming 12 months, which is a management expectation.
- Instrument sales converting from FY28 and beyond.
John Clapham, PSC Biotech Founder and CEO
“Our extensive relationships across the pharmaceutical industry provides a strong platform to introduce APAS Independence to a much broader customer base…”
The announcement does not disclose financial forecasts or revenue figures. APAS Independence remains the only US FDA-cleared artificial intelligence technology for automated culture plate reading, according to the company.
Ready to Explore Clever Culture Systems’ New US Sales Channel?
Clever Culture Systems has appointed PSC Biotech as sole Sales Agent for APAS Independence across the US, Canada and Singapore, opening a new segment of mid-tier and regional pharmaceutical manufacturers. The channel complements its direct “Land & Expand” strategy, with instrument sales expected to convert from FY28.
Discover how this partnership could shape the company’s growth by visiting the Clever Culture Systems investor centre. You will find the latest announcements and updates on APAS Independence there.