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INNOVATIVE CANCER CARE

About Verthermia®

At Verthermia®, our mission is to extend and enhance life for people with advanced unresponsive cancer. We also pledge to continue investigating how our natural process can fight deadly diseases and viruses, in addition to cancer treatment. Through our perseverance and motivation, we vow to always provide safe, effective treatment and minimize side effects.
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OVERSEEING OPERATIONS

Our Management Team

Verthermia’s management team is responsible for overseeing all medical operations and ensuring that our treatment protocols are in line with the latest advancements in the field. Our team is composed of professionals from the medical and business worlds. Working in tandem with our staff of highly trained professionals, our management team provides the foundation for Verthermia’s operational and medical efficiency.

JOSEPH (JAY) ZWISCHENBERGER, M.D.

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGEON, CRITICAL CARE

Dr. Zwischenberger serves at the University of Kentucky as Professor of Surgery

BIO
Roger-Vertrees-PHD
Roger Vertrees, Ph.D.
Chief Science Officer

Roger is a Certified Clinical Perfusionist Emeritus, and he received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Experimental Oncologic Pathology.

BIO
Jan-Winetz-MD

JAN WINETZ, M.D.

CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER

Jan is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. Jan graduated from the
Cornell University Medical College, residency and served as a Chief Resident at S.U.N.Y.

BIO

MITCHEL K. MAY JD

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Mitchel has over 30 years of experience in complex financial transactions

BIO

PETRA SMELTZER STARKE

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Petra Smelter Starke is the founder and CEO of a global growing hot yoga healthy

BIO

GUIDING OUR RESEARCH

Our Board of Directors

Our board of directors consists of passionate, dedicated individuals with a wealth of experience in the areas of cancer and hyperthermia treatments. We are proud to have a diverse board that provides insight into various aspects of cancer care. They are integral to our mission of providing patients with exceptional treatment.

LOU LANG

BOARD MEMBER, CONSULTANT

Louis Lang is a former 32-year member and Leader in the Illinois House of Representatives, as well as one of Illinois premier Government Affairs attorneys.
BIO

MAREK STUBLEY

BOARD MEMBER, CONSULTANT

Mr. Marek Stubley is a Founding Partner at the highly specialized boutique law firm in Prague of A3K. A3K caters to a select group of successful executives and corporate clientile.
BIO
Roger-Vertrees-PHD (1)

ROGER VERTREES, PH.D.

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, CHIEF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

Roger is a Certified Clinical Perfusionist Emeritus, and he received his Ph.D. from the
University of Texas in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Experimental
Oncologic Pathology.

BIO

JAY SMITH

BOARD MEMBER, SECRETARY

Jay was a certified public accountant with a large national firm and has over 30 years of
experience as a financial executive.

BIO

GARY KEELING

BOARD MEMBER

Gary has been active in the hyperthermia sector since 1992 and received the first FDA
IDE to treat AIDS patients with whole-body hyperthermia in 1995.

BIO
petra-1

PETRA SMELTZER STARKE

BOARD MEMBER

Petra Smelter Starke is the founder and CEO of a global growing hot yoga healthy
lifestyle brand SweatNGlow.

BIO

RAY STAPLETON

BOARD MEMBER

T. Ray Stapleton is the former Chief Budget Officer of the world’s most preiment
International Labor Organization

BIO

JAN WINETZ, M.D.

CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER

Jan is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. Jan graduated from the Cornell University Medical College with a residency, and then he served as a Chief Resident at S.U.N.Y.
BIO

CANCER SPECIALISTS

Our Medical Advisory Board

Combining cutting-edge technology with evidence-based treatment, the medical advisory board at Verthermia includes top minds of cancer treatment. Our team is composed of experienced specialists and scientists who are committed to helping our patients achieve positive outcomes. Collectively, they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, allowing us to stay ahead of emerging trends in hyperthermia cancer treatment.

DENNIS CHI, M.D

ONCOLOGIST

Dr. Chi has been an attending surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for
more than 25 years.

BIO

JAMES CUSACK, M.D

GASTROINTESTINAL SURGEON, COLORECTAL SURGEON

Dr. Cusack serves on the Harvard Medical School faculty, Massachusetts General staff,
and the consulting staff at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

BIO
Robert-DeBernardo-M.D.

ROBERT DEBERNARDO, M.D.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, ONCOLOGY SPECIALIST

Dr. DeBernardo is a Cleveland Clinic Gynecologic Oncologist and is also the Director of
Minimally Invasive Surgery in Cleveland Clinic’s Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health Institute

BIO

DANIEL LABOW, M.D.

SURGICAL ONCOLOGIST

Dr. Labow is the Executive Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery at Mount Sinai. He i
additionally the Vice Chair of Quality for the Department of Surgery

BIO

JOSEPH ZWISCHENBERGER, M.D.

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGIST

Dr. Zwischenberger serves at the University of Kentucky, Professor of Surgery and
Pediatrics,

BIO
David-Bartlett-M.D

DAVID BARTLETT, M.D.

CHAIR OF THE AHN CANCER INSTITUTE, ALLEGHENY HEALTH NETWORK

Dr. Bartlett is the Chair of the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute. Prior to that, he
served as the Vice Chairman of Surgical Oncology

BIO

DATA-DRIVEN TREATMENT

Clinical Trial Results

At Verthermia®, we believe that everyone should have access to effective cancer treatments and strive to provide our clients with the best care possible. We are committed to continuing research on whole-body hyperthermia so that we can provide the latest information on its efficacy in treating cancer. Our team has conducted clinical trials, which to date have shown positive patient outcomes with whole-body hyperthermia treatment.

Ovarian Cancer Trial

Our ovarian cancer trial resulted in significant findings on the positive impacts of HEATT®. Patients overall experienced improved survival rates and daily living satisfaction.

Lung Cancer Trial

Verthermia® trial patients with unresponsive lung cancer exceeded average life expectancy after receiving HEATT®.

Intellectual Property

The system and methods of Verthermia® are protected by four issued US patents (11,065,379; 11,185,622; 11,191,883, and 11,239,551). Two other US patent applications are in process, and one international or PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) application is in process. Verthermia® has two registered US trademarks, and two other US trademark applications are in process. Verthermia has also filed an application for an international trademark. We have a robust intellectual property policy, and Verthermia® protects some of its proprietary methods as trade secrets. All documents, procedures, websites, and presentations are copyrighted by Verthermia®. Roger and Jan are co-inventors of the CORE-HFC® device which delivers HEATT®.
CONTACT US Today
Verthermia® provides Hyperthermic Extracorporeal Applied Tumor Therapy (HEATT®) to patients with advanced tumors that are unresponsive to traditional cancer treatments.

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JOSEPH (JAY) ZWISCHENBERGER, M.D.

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, CARDIOTHORACIC SURGEON, CRITICAL CARE

Dr. Zwischenberger serves at the University of Kentucky as Professor of Surgery,
Pediatrics, interventional radiology, and bioengineering. He is the former Chair of the
Department of Surgery and Surgeon-in-Chief of UK Healthcare. He has been involved in
continuous research since 1987 with over 60 funded projects focused on severe
respiratory failure, lung cancer, and artificial lung development. He has served on
several NIH studies as review and chairman, and has over 400 peer-reviewed
publications. He has an extensive background in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
(CMO) and Venovenous Perfusion-Induced Systemic Hyperthermia.

ROGER VERTREES, PH.D.

CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER

Roger received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas in Biomedical Sciences. with a
concentration in Experimental Oncologic Pathology. A Board-Certified Cardiovascular
Perfusionist, Roger has applied this clinical expertise to over 30 years of research in
whole-body

JAN WINETZ. M.D.

CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER

Jan is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. Jan graduated from the
Cornell University Medical College, residency and served as a Chief Resident at S.U.N.Y.
Jan also served a fellowship at Stanford University Medical Center where he won two
National Kidney Foundation Fellowships for his research. Jan has multiple peer reviewed
publications. A practicing Nephrologist for over 30 years, Jan was instrumental in the
Company’s recent Phase 1 Ovarian Hyperthermia trials.

MITCHEL K. MAY JD

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Mitchel has over 30 years of experience in complex financial transactions, investing, and
operational management. He has been involved in the formation and management of
over 15 successful businesses through his corporate consulting. Mitchel has assisted his
high-net-worth clients with structuring deals and has been the principal investor in
several successful ventures. Mitchel was instrumental in start-up businesses in health
care and sports publications. Mitchel holds a JD from Fordham University School of Law
as well as a Bachelor of Administration from Clark University. Mitchel started his career
practicing law in New York City and is an admitted member of the State Courts of New
York and The Bar Association of New York as well as the American Bar Association.

PETRA SMELTZER STARKE

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Petra Smeltzer Starke is the founder and CEO of a global growing hot yoga healthy
lifestyle brand SweatNGlow. She partners nationwide with businesses and charities to
promote yoga, fitness, skincare, and nutrition. She is the author of a bestselling book on
her journey from Communism growing up in Czechoslovakia to her times in the Obama
White House. Her book highlights how Yoga was her means of mental and physical
support. Previously, Petra graduated at the top of her class from Georgetown Law
before practicing law at the firm of O’Melveny & Meyers, LLP. At the firm, she represented
political nominees and appointees during the Bush Administration. She was subsequently
recruited for the Obama Presidential Transition. Later she worked in the Obama White
House where she served as General Counsel to the White House Council of Economic
Advisors and Senior Advisor to the President. More recently she served as a member of
the Biden-Harris Transition Team.

LOU LANG

BOARD MEMBER, CONSULTANT

Louis Lang is a former 32-year member and Leader in the Illinois House of Representatives, as well as one of Illinois premier Government Affairs attorneys. With decades of experience and a proven track record, Lou specializes in developing and implementing successful strategies, and troubleshooting obstacles. His history, in government, politics and the practice of law, working on many fronts, has made him a highly sought after and effective communicator who has earned the respect of government and business leaders. His relationships, expertise, and known ability as a problem solver who can navigate the most challenging and perplexing public policy and business issues. In these areas, his record is unmatched. Lou is the former Deputy Majority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives. In this role he has been the Chair and member of multiple House Committees, and has developed legislation and background in dozens of public policy areas, including being the author of Illinois medical cannabis law, improving the quality of life for many who suffer from serious and debilitating illness, capital infrastructure investment, opioid and other addiction treatment and reform legislation, mental health reform, insurance and utility reform, passage of the Equal Rights Amendment, and economic development through gaming expansion. He has served as a respected and outspoken elected Democratic Party Leader for many years. In this role, he has been responsible for the election of many current and former elected officials all over Illinois, and beyond its borders as well. Lou is also the proud parent of 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

MAREK STUBLEY

BOARD MEMBER, CONSULTANT

Mr. Marek Stubley is a Founding Partner at the highly specialized boutique law firm in Prague of A3K. A3K caters to a select group of successful executives and corporate clientile. Mr. Stubley handles a specialized group of clients in the areas of: private equity; real estate; hospitals; and entertainment. He has overseen complex litigations in the European Union and in the United States. He is a lifelong devoted cyclist and skier. His passion for cycling and skiing is only surpassed for his love of his daughter and son, whom he and his wife, Tereza, are proudly raising outside of Prague. Marek brings to Verthermia a strong desire to help expand the company’s operations outside of the United States to Europe. He was also recruited to help facilitate the company accessing both capital markets and private equity globally.

ROGER VERTREES, PH.D.

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, CHIEF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

Roger is a Certified Clinical Perfusionist Emeritus, and he received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Experimental Oncologic Pathology. He retired from University of Texas Medical Branch as Associate Professor of Surgery. He currently focuses all his time and energy into @Verthermia and is the developer and innovator of the HEAT circuit and technology. Roger has more than 30 years of research in whole-body hyperthermia and Roger has conducted all preclinical animal studies in hyperthermia and all of the human trials of lung and ovarian cancer patients.

JAY SMITH

BOARD MEMBER, SECRETARY

Jay was a certified public accountant with a large national firm and has over 30
years of experience as a financial executive. Jay has successfully established and
managed businesses in manufacturing, distribution, importing, and agriculture. Jay
initially joined the company as the interim CFO and helped support capital raising
efforts. Jay holds a BS and an MBA from the University of Southern California.

GARY KEELING

IN LOVING MEMORY

We are dedicated to preserving the memory of our beloved friend and colleague. Gary Keeling. Though he may be gone, his legacy lives on through the impact he had on those around him. We invite you to join us in celebrating Gary’s life, sharing your own memories, and keeping his spirit alive in our hearts. Please read some of the incredible contributions Gary made during his time with us. Gary was active in the hyperthermia sector from 1992-2023 and received the first FDA IDE to treat AIDS patients with whole-body hyperthermia in 1995. Gary’s company received the first FDA clearance for an intraperitoneal hyperthermia device in 1999 and has been commercially operating the HIPEC Procedure. This procedure is used by surgical oncologists to treat advanced abdominal cancer and is a standard of care in over 172 prestigious hospitals, including Mass General, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, MD Anderson, and the Mayo Clinic. Gary has invented and patented two abdominal drainage catheters which are used in surgery every day throughout the world. He developed and patented a chemotherapy- sensitizing solution and co-wrote in-vitro and in-vivo study protocols for the solution. Gary attended the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and received a BS in Economics.

PETRA SMELTZER STARKE

BOARD MEMBER

Petra Smeltzer Starke is the founder and CEO of a global growing hot yoga healthy lifestyle brand SweatNGlow. She partners nationwide with businesses and charities to promote yoga, fitness, skincare, and nutrition. She is the author of a bestselling book on her journey from Communism growing up in Czechoslovakia to her times in the Obama White House. Her book highlights how Yoga was her means of mental and physical support. Previously, Petra graduated at the top of her class from Georgetown Law before practicing law at the firm of O’Melveny & Meyers, LLP. At the firm. she represented political nominees and appointees during the Bush Administration. She was subsequently recruited for the Obama Presidential Transition. Later she worked in the Obama White House where she served as General Counsel to the White House Council of Economic Advisors and Senior Advisor to the President. More recently she • served as a member of the Biden-Harris Transition Team.

RAY STAPLETON

BOARD MEMBER

T. Ray Stapleton is the former Chief Budget Officer of the world’s most preeminent International Labor Organization: the AFL-CIO. He previously served as Secretary- Treasurer of the American Postal Workers Union and was also a Vice Chair of the AFL-CIO Executive Council Committee on State and Local Strategies. He also served as a Trustee for the trailblazing CBTU: Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. When Mr. Stapleton retired from the AFL-CIO he was recruited by one of America’s Largest Health Care Underwriters providing affordable health care to those Americans living below the poverty line

JAN WINETZ, M.D.

CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER

Jan is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. Jan graduated from the
Cornell University Medical College with a residency, and then he served as a Chief
Resident at S.U.N.Y. affiliated hospitals at Buffalo, N.Y. Jan also served a fellowship at
Stanford University Medical Center where he won two National Kidney Foundation
Fellowships for his research. Jan has multiple peer-reviewed publications and has
been a practicing Nephrologist for over 30 years. Jan was instrumental in the
company’s Phase 1 ovarian hyperthermia trials.

DENNIS CHI, M.D

ONCOLOGIST

Dr. Chi has been an attending surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
for more than 25 years. Since 2010, he has served as Deputy Chief of the
Gynecology Service, and he has been Head of the Ovarian Cancer Surgery Section
since 2014. Dr. Chi specializes in gynecologic oncology for cervical cancer, uterine
cancer, and ovarian cancer. He additionally has extensive experience in minimally
invasive cancer techniques.

JAMES CUSACK, M.D

GASTROINTESTINAL SURGEON, COLORECTAL SURGEON

Dr. Cusack serves on the Harvard Medical School faculty, Massachusetts General
staff, and the consulting staff at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. At Massachusetts
General, Dr. Cusack is the Director of the Peritoneal Surface Malignancy (HIPEC)
Program and Surgical Oncology Laboratories. He was additionally Chair of the SSO
Scientific Program Committee and served on the Executive Council of the Society of
Surgical Oncology (SSO).

ROBERT DEBERNARDO, M.D.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, ONCOLOGY SPECIALIST

Dr. DeBernardo is a Cleveland Clinic Gynecologic Oncologist and is also the Director of Minimallu Invasive Surgery in Cleveland Clinic’s Ob/Gun & Women’s Health Institute. Dr. DeBernardo has over 26 years in the medical field with extensive knowledge in Gynecologic Neoplasms and Gastrointestinal Neoplasms. He additionally has contributed largely to research and technological development for gynecologic cancer treatment.

DANIEL LABOW, M.D.

SURGICAL ONCOLOGIST

Dr. Labow is the Executive Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery at Mount Sinai. He is additionally the Vice Chair of Quality for the Department of Surgery and is a board-certified surgeon who specializes in Surgical Oncology. He has worked at Mount Sinai since 2004 and has since been promoted to Professor of Surgery. He has conducted extensive research and trials for metastatic malignancies of various cancer types.

PAUL J. MANAFORT

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGIST

Dr. Zwischenberger serves at the University of Kentucky, Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics, and he is the former Chair of the Department of Surgery. He has been involved in continuous research since 1987 with over 60 funded projects focused on severe respiratory failure, lung cancer, and artificial lung development. He has served on several NIH studies as review and chairman and has over 400 peer- reviewed publications. He has an extensive background in Extracorporal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and Venovenous Perfusion-Induced Systemic Hyperthermia.

Our Medical Advisory Board

DAVID BARTLETT, M.D.

CHAIR OF THE AHN CANCER INSTITUTE, ALLEGHENY HEALTH NETWORK

Dr. Bartlett is the Chair of the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute. Prior to that, he served as the Vice Chairman of Surgical Oncology and Gastrointestinal Surgical Services at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Bartlett is internationally recognized for his revolutionary findings, as he has published over 300 research papers. He has continued to be elected as one of Pittsburgh’s best doctors since 2016.