Novo Nordisk (NVO.US) has announced that it will price its new higher-dose weight-loss drug Wegovy at $399 per month for self-paying patients, undercutting most versions of competitor Eli Lilly's (LLY.US) Zepbound. The high-dose Wegovy will officially launch this Tuesday. This pricing is approximately 40% lower than the self-pay cost of the first three higher-dose strengths of Zepbound. The more potent drug is a key part of Novo Nordisk's strategy to catch up with Eli Lilly. A previous clinical trial indicated that Zepbound demonstrated superior weight loss compared to the standard dose of Wegovy. Due to its more significant weight loss results, Eli Lilly's drug has become the best-selling weight-loss injection in the United States. Novo Nordisk is counting on the new Wegovy formulation to drive a performance rebound. The oral version of Wegovy, launched in January, has already achieved the best initial performance in the history of weight-loss medications. Last week, the Danish pharmaceutical company also introduced a subscription service, offering lower monthly fees for patients who commit to a multi-month treatment course. The new injectable, named Wegovy HD, contains a 7.2 mg dose, which is triple the previously highest available dose, while the monthly out-of-pocket cost increases by only $50. Self-paying patients can purchase it through Novo Nordisk's direct-to-consumer platform NovoCare, conventional pharmacies, and designated telehealth partners. A Novo Nordisk spokesperson stated that, depending on the telehealth provider, the new dose will be included in some subscription plans at the standard subscription rate.