Alabama Clinical Trials Report — May 2026

For Alabamians considering participation in clinical research, May 2026 presents a critical window of opportunity, especially for those looking to join studies that are nearing their enrollment deadlines. Across the state, 91 clinical trials are slated to close within the next 90 days. This urgency extends to healthy volunteers, with 21 of these rapidly closing studies actively seeking participants without specific health conditions. Individuals interested in contributing to medical advancements should explore these options promptly before they are no longer available.

Patients managing certain health conditions also face impending deadlines to join research. Trials focused on specific types of cancer, kidney function, and cardiovascular health are among those with limited time remaining for enrollment. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Ovarian cancer
• Acute kidney injury
• Heart failure
• Primary peritoneal cancer
• Hypertension
• Glioblastoma multiforme
• Advance directives
• Advance care planning
• Acute kidney injury due to sepsis
• Amputation, wound

Major Research Initiatives Launch in Alabama

This month brings several high-profile new trials to Alabama, including significant Phase 2, 3, and 4 studies from major pharmaceutical companies and leading academic institutions. These trials offer participants the chance to engage with cutting-edge treatments and diagnostic tools, addressing a range of health challenges from metabolic disorders to neurological conditions and vision impairments.

• Novo Nordisk A/S is sponsoring NCT07567001, a Phase 3 study titled "A Research Study to Look at How Well NNC0487-0111 Works Compared to Placebo in People With Heart Failure and Obesity." This substantial trial aims to enroll 5,610 participants globally, evaluating the safety and effect of NNC0487-0111 in individuals with Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) or Heart Failure with mildly reduced Ejection Fraction (HFmrEF) and excess body weight.
• Another significant Phase 3 study from Novo Nordisk A/S is NCT07564414, "A Research Study to Look at How Two Different Doses of CagriSema and One Dose of Semaglutide Help People Living With Obesity With or Without Type 2 Diabetes Lose Weight." This trial seeks to enroll 2,500 participants to assess the safety and effectiveness of CagriSema for body weight loss in people with obesity, with or without type 2 diabetes.
• Ohio State University is leading NCT07567040, a Phase 4 study named "Delaying the Onset of Nearsightedness Until Treatment (DONUT) Clinical Trial." This trial will involve 664 participants and test whether the onset of nearsightedness (myopia) is delayed in children randomized to nightly drops of 0.05% atropine compared to a placebo. This study includes children as participants.
• The University of Alabama at Birmingham is sponsoring NCT07564934, a Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) titled "Leveraging Extended Reality Exergaming and Telehealth to Improve Physical Activity and Health in Children With Disabilities." This innovative study will enroll 130 physically inactive children with cerebral palsy (ages 10 to 17) to evaluate the efficacy of a telehealth-delivered extended reality (XR) exergaming intervention on physical activity, cardiometabolic health, and physical fitness. This trial also includes children.

Alabama's Evolving Research Landscape

This month, Alabama saw the opening of 7 new clinical trials, a notable decrease compared to the 24 trials that launched in March 2026. Despite this dip in new openings, the state continues to offer a broad array of research opportunities, with a total of 1,214 clinical trials currently recruiting across 38 cities and 591 research sites.

The majority of new research initiatives this month are concentrated in the Birmingham metropolitan area, with 6 of the 7 new trials opening in Birmingham. However, other cities across the state also saw new trial launches, including Alexander City, Fairhope, Mobile, Montgomery, and Pelham, each with one new trial. This indicates a continued effort to make research accessible beyond the largest urban centers.

New studies are exploring a range of conditions, from common ailments to more specialized areas. This month's new trials are targeting:

• Obesity
• Cerebral palsy
• Heart failure
• HIV
• Myopia
• Spinal cord injuries (complete and incomplete)
• Bipolar disorder
• Type 2 diabetes

The types of interventions being studied are varied, with drug trials leading the way, accounting for 3 of the new trials. Other new studies include behavioral interventions, biological treatments, medical devices, dietary supplements, and other types of research.

Diverse Participation: Healthy Volunteers and Specific Demographics

Participation in clinical trials is open to a wide range of individuals. Of the 7 new trials launched this month, 4 include older adults, ensuring that senior populations have ample opportunity to contribute to medical science. Additionally, 2 new trials are open to children, offering opportunities for younger participants to engage in research that could benefit their age group.

For individuals without a specific medical condition, there are significant opportunities to contribute. 1 of the new trials this month is actively seeking healthy volunteers. Across Alabama, a total of 153 clinical trials are currently recruiting healthy participants, providing numerous avenues for those interested in supporting medical research.

Academic institutions continue to play a vital role in Alabama's research ecosystem, with the University of Alabama at Birmingham sponsoring 3 of the new trials. Industry sponsors, including Novo Nordisk A/S, are also driving significant research efforts, accounting for 2 of the new studies this month. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Ohio State University are also notable sponsors contributing to the state's research landscape.

As we move through May, the focus will likely shift towards the ongoing enrollment in these significant Phase 2, 3, and 4 trials, while researchers prepare for the next wave of innovative studies to address a broad spectrum of health challenges across Alabama.