Indiana Clinical Trials Report — May 2026

For Hoosiers considering clinical research, May 2026 brings a crucial reminder: some valuable opportunities are nearing their close. Across Indiana, 87 clinical trials are scheduled to conclude enrollment within the next 90 days. This includes 17 studies that are actively seeking healthy volunteers, offering a chance to contribute to medical science without needing a specific health condition. If you've been thinking about participating, now is the time to explore these options before they are no longer available.

Patients managing specific health challenges also face impending deadlines for joining research. Trials focused on conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, cystic fibrosis, and various forms of cancer are among those with limited time remaining for enrollment. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Alzheimer disease
• Cystic fibrosis (CF)
• Pain
• Gastroparesis
• Heart failure
• Stage IV lung cancer AJCC V8
• Cancer
• Advanced solid tumor
• Alzheimer's disease
• Caregiver burden

New Horizons in Hoosier Research

This month, Indiana welcomed 6 new clinical trials, adding fresh opportunities for participation. While this number is lower than the 15 new trials that opened in March 2026, these new studies bring significant advancements, particularly in areas like metabolic health and vision care. The trend over the past six months shows fluctuations, with 32 new trials in December 2025, 22 in January, 28 in February, 22 in March, and 14 in April, leading to this month's 6 new openings.

Among the most notable new trials are:

• Novo Nordisk A/S is sponsoring NCT07567001, a significant 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 large-scale trial aims to enroll 5,610 participants globally, evaluating the safety and effectiveness 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. This represents a major industry effort to address complex cardiovascular and metabolic conditions.
• 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 aims to determine if the onset of nearsightedness (myopia) is delayed in children receiving nightly drops of 0.05% atropine compared to a placebo. This study is specifically designed to include children.
• TearSolutions, Inc. is sponsoring NCT07568730, a Phase 2 study titled "A Multicenter, Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled, Double-Masked to Open-Label Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Lacripep 4 μM Ophthalmic Solution in Subjects With Neurotrophic Keratitis." This trial seeks 54 participants to evaluate the safety and effect of Lacripep on the ocular surface, visual function, corneal sensitivity, and quality of life for individuals with Stage 1 Neurotrophic Keratitis.

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

• Blood glucose
• Diplopia, monocular
• GLP-1
• Healthy participant study
• Heart failure
• Myopia
• Neurotrophic keratitis
• Obesity
• Presbyopia
• Refractive errors

The types of interventions being studied are varied, with 3 new drug trials, 2 device trials, 1 dietary supplement trial, and 1 other type of study. This diversity reflects a broad approach to medical innovation.

Expanding Opportunities for Healthy Volunteers

For individuals without a specific medical condition, there are significant opportunities to contribute to medical research. Of the 6 new trials launched this month, 4 are actively seeking healthy volunteers. This is a positive sign for those interested in supporting scientific discovery without a prior diagnosis. Statewide, a total of 129 clinical trials are currently recruiting healthy participants, providing numerous avenues for involvement. Remember, 17 of these healthy volunteer opportunities are closing within the next 90 days, so prompt action is encouraged.

Indiana's Research Footprint: Where to Participate

Indiana continues to be a robust center for clinical research, with a total of 1,219 clinical trials currently recruiting participants. These studies are spread across 62 cities and 776 research sites throughout the state, indicating widespread accessibility to research opportunities.

This month's new trials show a distribution across several key areas:

• Bloomington (3 new trials)
• Carmel (1 new trial)
• Hammond (1 new trial)
• Indianapolis (1 new trial)
• West Lafayette (1 new trial)

While major urban centers like Indianapolis and Bloomington continue to host a significant portion of research, the presence of new trials in cities like Carmel, Hammond, and West Lafayette demonstrates that opportunities are not solely concentrated in the largest metropolitan areas, enhancing accessibility for residents across the state.

Who Can Participate? Demographics and Sponsors

Participation in clinical trials is open to a diverse range of individuals. Of the new trials launched this month, 2 include children, offering opportunities for younger participants to engage in research that could benefit their age group. Additionally, 4 new trials are open to older adults, ensuring that senior populations have ample opportunity to contribute to medical science. There are no new trials this month specifically limited to only female or only male participants.

Academic institutions and industry sponsors both play vital roles in Indiana's research ecosystem. This month, Indiana University sponsored 2 of the new trials, and Purdue University sponsored 1. Industry sponsors, including Novo Nordisk A/S and TearSolutions, Inc., are also driving significant research efforts, with 2 new industry-sponsored studies. Ohio State University also contributed to the state's research landscape with 1 new trial.

As we move further into May, the focus will remain on the ongoing enrollment in these significant Phase 2, 3, and 4 trials, as researchers continue to work towards addressing a broad spectrum of health challenges across Indiana.