"I have always been of the opinion that AI should be used for a good cause, and what Dova is doing with using AI for helping doctors is exactly what I wanted to be involved in.”
— Animesh Wandkar, Quality Assurance Specialist of Dova
As Dova expands its infrastructure to shape how gastrointestinal (GI) disease is measured, monitored, and managed, our work is built on decades of clinical knowledge and expertise spanning medicine, technology, and healthcare innovation.
Dova brings together a global team with complementary expertise in gastroenterology, medical technology, Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), quality and regulatory affairs, product and business development, and engineering across AI, machine learning, medical devices, and software. By combining deep clinical insight with technical excellence, we continue to advance our intelligence platform for inflammatory bowel disease.
Our next instalment in the Meet the Team series, we are featuring Animesh Wandkar, who serves as the Quality Assurance (QA) specialist of Dova.
Animesh brings a wealth of expertise across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices to his work at Dova, with over seven years of quality assurance experience. Over his career, he has built deep expertise in the systems that keep healthcare products safe and compliant, including deviations and CAPA, change control, risk management, and supplier audits.
He is a certified ISO 13485 Internal Auditor with a demonstrated proficiency in Good Manufacturing Practices. Throughout, he has maintained a focus on making operations run more smoothly while keeping patient outcomes front and center.
Before joining Dova, Animesh was a Quality Assurance Specialist at STEMCell Technologies, where he handled documentation review, product release, and supplier audits. Earlier roles include Quality Assurance Associate at Neurocatch and Executive in Quality Assurance at Lupin Limited, where he helped the company stay compliant and succeed in regulatory audits. His work at Lupin earned him the company's "Bravo! Value Ranger" Award in 2019, one of several recognitions he has received.
He holds a Master of Technology in Biotechnology from VIT University and a Bachelor of Technology in Biotechnology from Savitribai Phule Pune University.
We caught up with Animesh to learn more about why quality assurance is crucial when building medical devices such as Dova’s, and how AI can make a real difference by helping doctors and patients better understand GI conditions.
Tell us a bit about what drew you to Dova.
I have always been of the opinion that AI should be used for a good cause (instead of creating AI slop) and what Dova is doing with using AI for helping doctors is exactly what I wanted to be involved in.
You’ve worked in quality assurance across biotechnology, pharma, and medical devices. What have these experiences taught you about the role of quality in healthcare, and how do those lessons shape your work at Dova?
I’ve learned that at the end of the day, whether it's biotechnology, pharma or medical devices, QA is about ensuring that high-quality products are available to patients and that their safety is ensured to the highest extent possible.
These lessons help me to ensure that the same level of quality and safety measures are in place for Dova’s products, so that the end users and patients are given the right information that will help shape their treatment.
For someone unfamiliar with quality assurance, what does QA look like day-to-day, and why is it especially important when building medical technology?
QA involves a lot of writing and reviewing of documents, keeping up to date with standards, and from time to time, the occasional audit. QA is especially important for building medical technology as we act as the internal auditors, ensuring that our products meet the required regulatory standards and safety of end users.
From your perspective, what makes Dova’s technology and approach particularly meaningful for the future of gastrointestinal care?
Dova’s tech is particularly meaningful as it involves calculated and intentional use of AI for helping doctors and patients better understand their conditions and thus helping shape their treatment for better quality of life.
As an ISO 13485 Internal Auditor, what’s one common misconception about audits or compliance that you wish more people understood?
That auditors are there to stop you from selling your product!
No, they are there to ensure that you meet the standards and provided you have enough evidence, will grant you the certificate of conformance.
What is a hobby or activity outside of work that you’re passionate about?
I enjoy playing video games, playing the guitar, and keeping up to date on the latest tech news. I am also passionate about automotives, especially motorcycles.
