Big Pharma to showcase Clever Culture’s APAS Independence technology

• Clever Culture Systems APAS Independence tech to feature at major global industry conferences
• AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer to present new performance data
• APAS is only US FDA cleared AI technology for automated culture plate reading

Special Report: Adelaide-based Clever Culture Systems is strengthening its position as a leader in AI-driven microbiology automation, with top pharmaceutical companies set to showcase the company’s APAS Independence technology at major industry conferences worldwide.

AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer will present new evaluation performance data for Clever Culture Systems’ (ASX:CC5) Automated Plate Assessment System (APAS Independence).

APAS uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning software to automate the imaging, analysis and interpretation of microbiology culture plates.

The system is the only US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared AI technology for automated culture plate reading.

The product is currently being sold to microbiology laboratories in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector for the reading of environmental monitoring culture plates.

Clever Culture said the big pharma presentations would include results for both the APAS settle plates (90mm) and the newly launched contact plates (55mm), as well as strategies for global validation and rollout.

Gaining traction among Big Pharma

Clever Culture’s APAS technology continues to gain international traction, as several ‘Big Pharma’ companies commit to purchase, evaluate and standardise APAS Independence globally.

The company said presentations by the companies at international conferences in the US, UK, Germany and Australia underscore the technology’s performance and validation strategies.

Clever Culture said the events also showcase the newly launched APAS contact plate application, positioning APAS Independence as the only comprehensive solution for environmental monitoring.

At these conferences, the company will provide interactive demonstrations, including the first customer-generated data using the contact plate application. It will also educate customers on the validation process, supported by extensive customer data.

Scientific director Dr Steven Giglio will present on responsible AI development and validation in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Strong engagement from global pharmaceutical companies at these conferences highlights a significant commercial opportunity for APAS Independence.

The presentations are set to span keynote sessions, scientific posters, and interactive demonstrations.

They include:

• Melbourne – PDA Asia Pacific Aseptic Manufacturing Excellence Conference in October, where Pfizer will present a case study on the Implementation of Automated EM Plate Reader.
• Washington DC, US – PDA Pharmaceutical Microbiology Conference in October, where AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb will feature APAS Independence in podium and poster sessions.
• Nottingham & Macclesfield, UK – PharmIG Annual Conference in November, where  Clever Culture will have a booth and host a one-day workshop. AstraZeneca will showcase APAS Independence in routine production during its APAS Discovery Day.
• Düsseldorf, Germany – PharmaLab Conference in November, where APAS Independence will feature in multiple sessions, including presentations on environmental monitoring and responsible AI in pharmaceutical labs by Pfizer and Clever Culture’s Dr Giglio.

Pfizer latest to back APAS Independence

Today’s announcement confirms Pfizer as the fifth top-tier global pharma company to back APAS Independence.

Previously the company had mentioned a fifth customer, being a top 20 pharmaceutical company, that completed an extensive settle plates evaluation.

Clever Culture’s Big Pharma client list now includes AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Patheon (Thermo Fisher), Novo Nordisk and Pfizer.

It is believed Pfizer is evaluating APAS at its Melbourne-based facility, with the company announcing in August it was undergoing a $150 million upgrade.

It is set to become one of the most advanced pharmaceutical production facilities in Australia for treatments aiming to help address rising levels of antimicrobial resistance –considered one of the biggest threats to global health.

Pfizer’s announcement referenced the site being selected to trial robotics and AI-powered technologies to improve highly specialised manufacturing capabilities.

AstraZeneca a strong test case

With manufacturing facilities globally and headquartered in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca has been Clever Culture Systems’ figurehead customer and now has nine APAS Independence instruments.

It has previously presented on the high performance of APAS Independence at major global pharmaceutical conferences.

This year, its focus is on global implementation, showing how the system is progressing toward broader adoption and ongoing validation in real-world settings.

In a strong endorsement of APAS Independence, it’s the first time Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb, which has purchased two instruments, have presented on the technology.

Bristol Myers Squibb is also believed to be hosting an industry microbiology event at its new Brunswick facility later in September that will showcase APAS to other potential pharmaceutical customers.

Watch: CEO and managing director Brent Barnes

New contact plate a significant boost

The recent product launch of Clever Culture’s 55mm contact plates on the APAS Independence platform is expected to increase the total addressable market and increases recurring revenue.

The company announced in August it had completed validation of new APAS 55mm contact plate.

Addition of the contact plate application to APAS Independence now offers a single technology platform capable of covering most environmental monitoring tests performed.

Clever Culture said the unique capability further strengthens the competitive differentiation of APAS Independence, positioning the technology as the most comprehensive and scalable solution in pharmaceutical environmental monitoring.

Committed to Big Pharma rollout

Clever Culture CEO and managing director Brent Barnes said the company remained steadfast in its commercialisation strategy to engage with the largest pharmaceutical companies globally.

“Our APAS technology has been selected for presentation by AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb at multiple industry-leading conferences on the global stage,” he said, adding:

“The data being presented by this quorum is extensive and provides a substantial body of evidence demonstrating the technology’s performance in real-world customer settings.

“This critical data is invaluable for other customers looking to adopt APAS Independence.”

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.