California Clinical Trials Report — May 2026

For Californians considering participation in clinical research, May 2026 presents a critical window of opportunity, particularly for studies nearing their enrollment deadlines. Across the state, 511 clinical trials are slated to close within the next 90 days. This urgency extends to healthy volunteers, with 124 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 various types of cancer, anxiety, and blood disorders are among those with limited time remaining for enrollment. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Breast cancer
• Anxiety
• Colorectal cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Cholangiocarcinoma
• Cancer (general)
• Advanced solid tumor
• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Myelodysplastic syndromes

New Research Horizons in California

This month, California welcomed 34 new clinical trials, offering fresh avenues for participation. While this number is a notable decrease compared to the 121 trials that opened in March 2026, the new studies include significant initiatives from major sponsors, focusing on prevalent health challenges and innovative treatments.

Among the newly launched studies, 13 are actively seeking healthy volunteers, providing a direct opportunity for individuals without specific medical conditions to contribute to medical progress. Statewide, there are currently 774 trials recruiting healthy participants, underscoring the broad demand for diverse volunteers.

The new trials span a variety of conditions, reflecting ongoing research priorities:

• Obesity
• Overweight
• Healthy participants
• Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)
• Basic science: neural representations of location
• Basic science: visual attention in healthy participants
• Atopic dermatitis
• Breast feeding, exclusive
• Cardiovascular risk factor
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

These studies are exploring various types of interventions, with drug trials leading the way, accounting for 14 of the new initiatives. Other new studies include medical devices, behavioral interventions, and diagnostic tests.

Spotlight on Major Clinical Trials

Several high-profile Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies have opened their doors this month, backed by major pharmaceutical companies and leading academic institutions. These trials represent significant advancements in treatment development and offer participants access to cutting-edge research:

• 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 a group of children randomized to nightly drops of 0.05% atropine compared to a placebo. This study includes children as participants.
• Immuneering Corporation is sponsoring NCT07562152, a Phase 3 study on "Atebimetinib + GnP as a First Line Treatment in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma." This trial aims to enroll 510 participants to evaluate the safety and efficacy of atebimetinib in combination with modified GnP compared with standard of care GnP alone.
• Novo Nordisk A/S also launched NCT07571005, "AMAZE 3: A Research Study Investigating How Well the Medicine NNC0487-0111 Helps People With Excess Body Weight and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Not Treated With Positive Airway Pressure Lose Weight and Improve Sleep Apnoea." This Phase 3 study will involve 300 participants.

California's Expansive Research Landscape

California continues to be a hub for clinical research, with a total of 5,467 clinical trials currently recruiting across 305 cities and 5,190 research sites. This broad distribution ensures that opportunities are available throughout the state, from major metropolitan areas to smaller communities.

The new trials this month show a concentration in California's major urban centers and academic hubs. The cities with the most new trials include:

• Los Angeles
• San Francisco
• Stanford
• San Diego
• Beverly Hills
• Palo Alto
• Palm Springs
• La Jolla
• Los Alamitos
• Loma Linda

This geographic spread highlights the accessibility of research opportunities, often clustered around prominent universities and medical centers like Stanford University and the University of Southern California, both of which are sponsoring new trials this month.

Diverse Participation Opportunities

Clinical trials are designed to include a wide range of participants to ensure that new treatments are effective across diverse populations. Of the new trials launched this month, 21 include older adults, ensuring that senior populations have ample opportunity to contribute to medical science. Additionally, 7 new trials are open to children, offering opportunities for younger participants to engage in research that could benefit their age group. There are also specific opportunities, with 2 new trials open only to female participants and 1 new trial exclusively for male participants.

Academic institutions continue to play a vital role in California's research ecosystem, with Stanford University and the University of Southern California sponsoring multiple new trials. Industry sponsors, including Novo Nordisk A/S and Immuneering Corporation, are also driving significant research efforts, contributing to the state's dynamic research landscape.

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