In a landmark real estate transaction, pharmaceutical billionaire Leena Tewari, chairperson of USV, has purchased a sea-facing duplex in Mumbai’s upscale Worli area for an unprecedented ₹639 crore. The total cost, including ₹63.9 crore in stamp duty, brings the figure to a staggering ₹703 crore, making it the most expensive residential property sale in India to date. The deal covers 22,572 square feet across the 32nd to 35th floors of a luxurious 40-storey tower with views of the Arabian Sea. At approximately ₹2.83 lakh per square foot, this acquisition has set a new benchmark in India’s luxury property market.
Despite the immense value of the purchase, Leena Tewari, known for her discretion and low public profile, has remained largely silent. Her name is rarely in the media, though she is known to move in elite circles and is reportedly close to Nita Ambani. Her husband, Prashant Tewari, who is the Managing Director of USV, shares her quiet and strategic business style.
A Quiet Billionaire with a Powerful Business
Leena Tewari’s fortune stems from her leadership at USV, a privately held pharmaceutical and biotechnology company founded in 1961. With an estimated net worth of $3.9 billion (as of 2024, according to Forbes), she is among India’s richest women. USV has resisted the typical industry trend of accepting private equity investment or going public, maintaining a family-owned approach while steadily growing its influence in India’s competitive pharmaceutical sector.
Under her stewardship, the company reported revenues of ₹4,840 crore in FY24, as per business intelligence platform Tracxn. USV’s flagship product, Glycomet, an anti-diabetic drug, ranks as the second-best-selling pharmaceutical in India, earning ₹806 crore in sales, just behind GlaxoSmithKline’s Augmentin. In the cardiovascular space, USV’s Ecosprin is a trusted blood thinner, while Roseday remains a leading statin prescribed for cholesterol management.
Strategic Vision Amid Market Challenges
Despite her company’s success, Leena Tewari faces emerging challenges, particularly from a new wave of anti-diabetic medications that are beginning to edge into Glycomet’s market share. To stay competitive, USV is shifting its focus toward expanding its insulin offerings within India. This move reflects the company’s long-standing strategy of evolving in step with market needs while avoiding reactive business decisions.
Leena Tewari’s record-breaking property acquisition underscores her financial clout, but more importantly, it shines a spotlight on her disciplined, long-term approach to business. As competitors race to innovate or attract external investment, Tewari and USV continue to chart an independent path, balancing steady growth with a commitment to quality and customer trust. Whether it’s through historic real estate moves or pharmaceutical achievements, Tewari’s impact is being felt, even if she prefers to stay out of the spotlight.
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