ZBiotics takes GM probiotics mainstream with 15m+ ‘pre-alcohol’ shots sold

Zachary Abbott, PhD: “Our compound annual growth rate from 2021 through 2025 was approximately 113%.” Image credit: ZBiotics Designer probiotics startup ZBiotics has sold 15 million+ “pre-alcohol” shots designed to mitigate the effects of drinking and is seeing encouraging early traction for its second product, a probiotic that converts sugars into prebiotic fiber in the gut. The San Francisco-based firm behind what it claims are “the world’s first genetically engineered probiotics,” is building a new category of products around bacteria engineered to express enzymes that perform specific functions in the gut, says cofounder and CEO Zack Abbott, PhD. The firm—which is now profitable—first started selling its pre-alcohol shots direct to consumer in 2019, launched on Amazon in 2023, and is now ramping up its presence in brick-and-mortar accounts including Total Wine, Bevmo, specialty grocery chains, and restaurants, Abbott tells AgFunderNews. “Our compound annual growth rate from 2021…