Eli Lilly (LLY) on Tuesday launched higher doses of Zepbound, or tirzepatide, in single-dose vials and reduced the prices of two smaller doses of the weight-loss drug for self-pay patients.

The pharmaceutical giant said the new 7.5-milligram and 10 mg vials are available for $499 a month under a new self pay program at first fill and refills that occur within 45 days of prior delivery. Otherwise, those two doses are priced at $599 and $699, respectively.

The company lowered the price of the 2.5 mg and 5 mg vials to $349 and $499 a month, respectively. This represents a price cut of $50 each for the two doses, according to Truist Securities.

"Every major medical organization and establishment recognizes obesity as a chronic disease, yet insurance and federal programs do not systematically cover people living with obesity for medical care -- this needs to change," said Patrik Jonsson, president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health and Lilly USA. "Lilly is committed to working with all parties to solve this problem."

The company said the new offerings are available via LillyDirect Self Pay Pharmacy Solutions. Different doses of Zepbound are also available in a single-dose pen, or autoinjector.

"While Eli Lilly has not revealed specifics about product volume sold through LillyDirect, we think the move serves as a positive competitive play to compete with the potential of compounding pharmacies that continue to operate in the US despite a degree of legal uncertainty," Truist analysts, including Srikripa Devarakonda, said in a note to clients.

Separately, Organovo (ONVO) said Lilly will acquire the former's FXR program, including its lead asset, FXR314, aimed at treating inflammatory bowel disease. The deal consideration includes a $10 million upfront cash payment and potential milestone payments of up to $50 million, Organovo said in a regulatory filing.

Lilly shares were up 2.3% in Tuesday afternoon trade, while Organovo soared 233%. Lilly didn't respond to MT Newswires' request for comment on the Organovo deal.

"This is a significant milestone for our efforts to advance medicines for (inflammatory bowel disease) using insights from our proprietary 3D human tissue models," Organovo Executive Chairman Keith Murphy said in a statement. The deal is expected to close within 30 days, according to the filing.