Its pace could become germ-free (7)
I believe the answer is:
aseptic
'germ-free' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'its pace could become' is the wordplay.
'could become' indicates anagramming the letters.
'its'+'pace'='itspace'
'itspace' anagrammed gives 'ASEPTIC'.
(Other definitions for aseptic that I've seen before include "Free of bacterial or viral contamination" , "Free from harmful bacteria" , "Spicate (anag.)" , "Paciest (anag.)" , "Free from bacteria, surically clean" .)