COMPANY INFO
ZBiotics, officially founded in 2016 by Zack Abbott and Stephen Lamb, is a biotechnology research company headquartered in San Francisco, California, with approximately 46 employees. The company pioneers genetically engineered probiotics designed to enhance the body's ability to break down harmful byproducts of alcohol and convert sugar into fiber, aiming to help people live healthier, happier lives through innovative microbial engineering. Their website is https://zbiotics.com and they operate primarily in the biotechnology, health & nutrition products, and beverages industries.
ZBiotics is a pioneering biotechnology company based in San Francisco, specializing in genetically engineered probiotics that help the body manage alcohol byproducts and convert sugar into fiber. Founded in 2016, ZBiotics stands out for its research-driven approach to improving everyday wellness through innovative microbial engineering.
The ZBiotics executive team combines expertise in science, marketing, operations, and consumer health with a strong foundation in both academia and industry. The leadership team is composed of seasoned professionals and founders committed to using biotechnology to bring effective, regulatory-compliant, and consumer-friendly products to market. Across the ZBiotics management team, there is a pattern of cross-disciplinary backgrounds—ranging from microbiology and law to product design and supply chain management—enabling the company to maintain scientific rigor while scaling commercial success.
As CEO and co-founder, Zack Abbott invented ZBiotics’ proprietary genetically engineered probiotic technology and sets the company’s mission, vision, and values. He has steered the company’s strategic direction, led a successful product launch in 2019, and established ZBiotics as a leader in synthetic biology and probiotic innovation.
Zack holds a PhD in Microbiology & Immunology from the University of Michigan and a BS in Molecular & Cell Biology and Classical Art & Archaeology from UC Berkeley. Before founding ZBiotics, he specialized in clinical trial design and HIV vaccine research, as well as novel antibiotic discovery, gaining valuable experience in both academic and industry environments.
As COO and co-founder, Stephen Lamb oversees all of ZBiotics’ operations, regulatory compliance, and financial strategy. He ensures scalable manufacturing, leads market expansion, and has played a vital role in navigating regulatory filings and key industry partnerships for ZBiotics.
Stephen holds a JD from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, an MBA from Wharton, and a BA in Political Economy from Princeton. Prior to ZBiotics, his diverse background covered corporate real estate and new market entry at Ben & Jerry’s, Pfizer, and Unilever, in addition to working as a summer associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore.
As CMO, Kat Townsend leads ZBiotics’ marketing strategy, focusing on building the brand’s consumer presence through digital, partnership, and product launch initiatives. Her leadership has been integral to the successful marketing campaigns for ZBiotics’ flagship probiotic product.
Kat earned her BS in Product Design from Stanford’s School of Engineering. She honed her expertise in marketing by managing teams and launching major video game franchises such as Assassin’s Creed and Words With Friends, bringing a strategic and consumer-driven approach to the ZBiotics leadership team.
As VP of R&D, John Oliver is responsible for advancing ZBiotics’ product innovation pipeline and leading scientific programs. He drove the launch of the world’s first GMO probiotic and continues to push the boundaries of microbial engineering and synthetic biology.
John holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from UC Davis with a focus on biotechnology and has served as a postdoctoral scholar at Harvard Medical School’s Wyss Institute. He previously founded Syntrophix and has made significant contributions to engineering the human microbiome.
Michael Mullaney manages all supply chain operations, optimizing sourcing, manufacturing partnerships, and logistics to support ZBiotics’ growth. His focus on process efficiency ensures high product quality and regulatory compliance.
Michael has a BAS from Michigan State University. He previously led strategic sourcing and operations at Albertsons, MELT, and Earthbound Farm, bringing deep consumer goods supply chain expertise to the ZBiotics management team.
Savannah Hagenbaugh directs ZBiotics’ food safety and quality programs, developing protocols and rigorous compliance systems to guarantee product safety and consistency for global distribution.
Savannah holds a BS in Biology from Ashland University and brings more than 12 years of experience from roles at The J.M. Smucker Company, MillerCoors, and 3i Solutions, where she managed food safety initiatives.
Todd Jones leads ZBiotics’ ecommerce and digital customer journey initiatives, enhancing user experience and personalized marketing, and driving a 30% increase in online sales.
Todd earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Tennessee. With a background in hospitality management at Michelin-starred restaurants and product launches at Ventura Spirits, he delivers data-driven strategies combined with customer-centric design to ZBiotics’ digital presence.
Katia Tamer leads product marketing and brand strategy, implementing go-to-market plans and messaging for new ZBiotics launches, which has resulted in a 25% growth in brand engagement.
Katia possesses a BS in Communications and Consumer Psychology and has prior experience in consumer marketing at top CPG companies.
Michael Richardson is responsible for creative design across all ZBiotics marketing efforts, producing impactful visual assets and packaging that elevate brand recognition and customer engagement.
He holds a BFA in Graphic Design from ArtCenter College of Design. Michael has extensive creative leadership experience across technology, health & wellness, consumer packaged goods, and cannabis industries.
Rob Ryan manages marketing analytics and performance tracking at ZBiotics, optimizing digital campaigns and landing page performance to increase conversion rates by 15%.
Rob earned a BA in IT Management from the University of Notre Dame and has worked in marketing roles at mental health and auto insurance startups, leveraging data analytics to drive improvements.
The ZBiotics leadership team is composed of accomplished founders, technical experts, and experienced operators who guide the organization’s mission to innovate at the intersection of biotechnology and consumer health. With backgrounds spanning academia, law, supply chain, digital marketing, and creative strategy, the ZBiotics management team is uniquely positioned to scale impactful products while maintaining scientific integrity and operational excellence. Collaborative decision-making and cross-functional expertise define the ZBiotics executives’ approach, supporting continued growth and leadership in the biotechnology sector.
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