Illinois Clinical Trials Report — May 2026

For Illinois residents considering participation in clinical trials, May 2026 brings a critical window of opportunity, particularly for studies nearing their enrollment deadlines. Across the state, 213 clinical trials are scheduled to close within the next 90 days. This includes 37 trials actively seeking healthy volunteers, making it an opportune moment for individuals without specific health conditions to contribute to medical research before these options are no longer available.

Patients managing various health conditions also have limited time to join ongoing research. Trials focused on heart health, blood disorders, and neurological conditions are among those with impending enrollment closures. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Heart failure
• Sickle cell disease
• Overactive bladder (OAB)
• Obesity
• Major depressive disorder
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Breast cancer
• ER positive breast cancer

Groundbreaking Research Launches Across Illinois

This month, Illinois welcomes a diverse array of new clinical trials, including significant Phase 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 wide spectrum of health challenges from metabolic disorders to neurological conditions and vision impairments.

• Novo Nordisk A/S is sponsoring NCT07567001, a substantial 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 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.
• Novo Nordisk A/S is also leading two related Phase 3 studies focused on obstructive sleep apnoea and excess body weight:
  • 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," targeting 300 participants.
  • NCT07571109, "AMAZE 4: A Research Study Investigating How Well the Medicine NNC0487-0111 Helps People With Excess Body Weight and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Treated With Positive Airway Pressure Lose Weight and Improve Sleep Apnoea," also targeting 300 participants.
• 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.
• For those interested in real-world data, Bristol-Myers Squibb is sponsoring NCT07571148, "Real-world Patient Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, and Healthcare Utilization Among KarXT Users." This study, with 6,876 participants, uses existing health records to understand how KarXT, a medication for schizophrenia, is used in practice.
• Immuneering Corporation is sponsoring NCT07562152, a Phase 3 study evaluating "Atebimetinib + GnP as a First Line Treatment in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma," aiming for 510 participants.
• A unique opportunity for marathon runners is offered by Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare (UK) Limited with NCT07565246, "A Study to Understand the Analgesic Properties of Topically Applied Menthol When Used in a Marathon." This study seeks 367 participants to gather opinions on topically applied menthol and pain experience during and after a marathon.

Illinois's Dynamic Research Landscape

This month, Illinois saw the opening of 16 new clinical trials. This represents a decrease compared to the 27 trials that launched in March 2026, and a significant drop from the 76 new trials in December 2025. Despite this trend, 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 1,563 research sites.

The majority of new research initiatives this month are concentrated in the Chicago metropolitan area, with 11 of the new trials opening in Chicago. However, other cities across the state also saw new trial launches, indicating a continued effort to make research accessible beyond the largest urban centers. Cities with new trials include:

• Chicago
• Grayslake
• Gillespie
• Gurnee
• Hazel Crest
• Morrison
• Orland Park
• Peoria
• Skokie
• Deerfield

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

• Obesity
• Healthy volunteers
• Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Overweight
• Heart failure
• Hs-crp
• Muscle soreness
• Myopia

The types of interventions being studied are varied, with drug trials leading the way, accounting for 10 of the new trials. Other new studies include diagnostic tests and other types of research.

Opportunities for Diverse Participation

Participation in clinical trials is open to a wide range of individuals. Of the 16 new trials launched this month, 13 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. 9 of the new trials this month are actively seeking healthy volunteers. Across Illinois, a robust total of 324 clinical trials are currently recruiting healthy participants, providing numerous avenues for those interested in supporting medical research.

Industry sponsors continue to drive significant research efforts in Illinois, accounting for 11 of the new studies this month. Novo Nordisk A/S is a particularly notable sponsor, leading 4 of the new trials. Academic institutions, including Northwestern University, Duke University, and Ohio State University, also contribute to the state's research landscape.

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