Illinois Clinical Trials Report — April 2026

For Illinois residents considering participation in clinical trials, April 2026 presents a critical window of opportunity, particularly for those looking to join studies that are nearing their enrollment deadlines. Across the state, a significant number of trials are concluding soon, with 230 studies slated to close within the next 90 days. This urgency extends to healthy volunteers, as 44 of these rapidly closing studies are still 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.

Impending Deadlines for Key Health Conditions

Patients managing certain health conditions also face impending deadlines to join research. Trials focused on common chronic conditions and specific diseases are among those with limited time remaining for enrollment. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Hypertension (4 trials)
• Heart failure (4 trials)
• Sickle cell disease (4 trials)
• Obesity (4 trials)
• Stroke (3 trials)
• Depression (3 trials)
• Mild cognitive impairment (3 trials)
• Major depressive disorder (3 trials)
• Breast cancer (3 trials)

These closing studies offer a chance to engage with research that could impact the future of treatment for these conditions. Interested individuals are encouraged to act quickly to determine their eligibility.

Spotlight on Groundbreaking New Research

This month brings several high-profile new trials to Illinois, including significant Phase 2 and 3 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 advanced cancers and surgical recovery.

• Novo Nordisk A/S is launching NCT07509307, "AMAZE 6," a Phase 3 study investigating how well the medicine NNC0487-0111 helps people with excess body weight and knee osteoarthritis lose weight and reduce pain. This large trial aims to enroll 400 participants to evaluate the safety and effect of this weekly injectable treatment compared to placebo.
• Incyte Corporation is sponsoring NCT07522073, a Phase 3 study evaluating chemotherapy with or without INCB161734 in previously untreated, KRAS G12D-Mutated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. This important oncology trial seeks 588 participants.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is leading NCT07507643, a Phase 3 study of methylprednisolone in people having liver surgery. The purpose is to test whether receiving methylprednisolone before surgery will reduce side effects like infections and longer hospital stays for 750 participants.
• Kinaset Therapeutics Inc is initiating NCT07532265, a Phase 2 dose-ranging clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Frevecitinib (KN-002) in patients with severe asthma not controlled with medium to high dose ICS/LABA. This study plans to enroll 512 participants.
• The University of Chicago is sponsoring NCT07515534, "Effect of Early Parent Education on Children's Sleep." This trial aims to learn if providing sleep information and advice to expecting parents can increase sleep duration and decrease sleep problems in infants, involving 391 participants.
• Mead Johnson Nutrition is conducting NCT07513506, an Extensively Hydrolyzed Formula Growth Monitoring Study. This research compares an investigational infant formula against a currently marketed one to evaluate growth, with 214 participants.
• Westat is sponsoring NCT07510048, "Combatting HIV Or Other STIs Early (CHOOSE) in an RCT of mHealth Tool Support." This Phase 2 project aims to optimize the PrEP Choice integrated mHealth package and assess its efficacy and cost on PrEP initiation and adherence among young people, involving 200 participants.

April's Research Landscape: A Shifting Trend

This month, Illinois saw the opening of 16 new clinical trials. This represents a notable decrease from the 40 trials that launched in March 2026, and is the lowest number of new trials in the past six months. Despite this dip in new openings, the state continues to offer a broad array of research opportunities, with a total of 2,635 clinical trials currently recruiting across 155 cities and 1,575 research sites.

The types of interventions being studied in these new trials are varied, with drug trials leading the way, accounting for 6 of the new studies. Other types of research represent 5 new trials, device studies 2, and behavioral, dietary supplement, and procedure-based trials each contributing 1 new study.

New studies are exploring a diverse range of conditions, each with one new trial this month, including audio processing delay, congenital anomaly, coq10 blood levels, dysmenorrhea, failure of fontan type circulation, fenestration, growth, hearing loss, and hepatectomy.

Geographic Accessibility Across Illinois

The majority of new research initiatives this month are concentrated in the Chicago metropolitan area. Chicago itself saw 8 new trials open, while nearby Addison added 3 and Evanston launched 2 new studies. Other cities across the state also welcomed new research opportunities, with one new trial each opening in:

• Moline
• Naperville
• Peoria
• Skokie
• Springfield
• Aurora
• Gurnee

While new trial openings are primarily centered in larger urban areas, the overall research landscape remains broadly accessible throughout Illinois, with active recruitment sites spanning many communities.

Participation Opportunities for All

Participation in clinical trials is open to a wide range of individuals. Of the 16 new trials launched this month, 12 include older adults, ensuring that senior populations have ample opportunity to contribute to medical science. Additionally, 5 new trials are open to children, one study is specifically designed for female participants, and another for male participants.

For individuals without a specific medical condition, there are significant opportunities to contribute. 7 of the new trials this month are actively seeking healthy volunteers. Across Illinois, a total of 333 clinical trials are currently recruiting healthy participants, providing numerous avenues for those interested in supporting medical research.

Both academic institutions and industry sponsors are driving research efforts in Illinois. This month, 8 new trials are sponsored by industry, including major names like Novo Nordisk A/S, Incyte Corporation, Kinaset Therapeutics Inc, and Mead Johnson Nutrition. Another 8 new trials are sponsored by academic or other organizations, such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the University of Chicago, highlighting a balanced and robust research environment.

As we move further into spring, the focus will likely remain on the critical enrollment period for these significant Phase 2 and 3 trials, while researchers prepare for the next wave of innovative studies to address a broad spectrum of health challenges across Illinois.