Iowa Clinical Trials Report — May 2026

For Iowans considering participation in clinical research, May 2026 brings a mix of urgent opportunities and exciting new studies. A significant number of trials are nearing their enrollment deadlines, creating a time-sensitive window for potential participants. Across the state, 48 clinical trials are slated to close within the next 90 days. This includes opportunities for healthy volunteers, with 8 of these rapidly closing studies actively seeking individuals without specific health conditions. If you've been thinking about contributing to medical science, now is the time to explore these options before they are no longer available.

Patients managing certain health conditions also have limited time to join research before enrollment concludes. Trials focused on vascular health, specific cancer stages, and heart rhythm disorders are among those with impending deadlines. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Endothelial dysfunction
• Carrier state
• Stage IV lung cancer
• Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
• Advance directives
• Advanced lung non-small cell carcinoma
• Acute gouty arthritis
• Anatomic stage II breast cancer
• Advance care planning
• Anatomic stage III breast cancer

New Horizons in Iowa Research: May's Notable Studies

This month, Iowa welcomes 6 new clinical trials, offering fresh opportunities for participation. This marks an increase compared to the 3 new trials that opened in April 2026, indicating a growing research landscape in the state. These new studies span a range of health areas, from chronic conditions to innovative diagnostic approaches, and include significant contributions from major pharmaceutical sponsors.

Among the most notable new trials are:

• 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. This is a significant opportunity for those managing both heart failure and obesity.
• Another major 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.
• For those interested in early disease detection, the "CHAMP Lung Cancer Screening Program" (NCT07572773) is a new initiative sponsored by Jill Kolesar. This study aims to enroll 300 participants and focuses on improving lung cancer screening rates in Iowa, particularly for eligible individuals with a smoking history.
• AstraZeneca is launching NCT07571746, a Phase 2 study titled "A Study to Assess the Effect of Surovatamig in Adult Participants With Antibody-mediated Kidney Disease." This trial will involve 43 participants and aims to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of surovatamig in adults with primary membranous nephropathy, a type of kidney disease.

Expanding Opportunities Across Iowa

Iowa's clinical research landscape is robust, with a total of 755 clinical trials currently recruiting across 32 cities and 280 research sites. This wide distribution ensures that opportunities are accessible to residents throughout the state, not just in major metropolitan areas.

This month's new trials show a concentration in some of the state's larger cities, but also a presence in others. New studies opened in:

• Iowa City (4 new trials)
• Waterloo (2 new trials)
• West Des Moines (2 new trials)
• Davenport (1 new trial)

This geographic spread highlights the commitment of various institutions and sponsors to bring research closer to Iowans.

The conditions targeted by these new trials reflect a diverse set of health priorities, including:

• Obesity
• Hallux valgus (bunions)
• Heart failure
• Lower extremity injury
• Lung cancer
• Primary membranous nephropathy
• Early lung cancer detection
• Type 2 diabetes

In terms of intervention types, 3 of the new trials are focused on drug therapies, 1 is a device study, and 1 is a diagnostic test, showcasing a variety of research approaches.

Who Can Participate? Demographics and Healthy Volunteer Options

While the majority of clinical trials target specific medical conditions, there are also opportunities for healthy individuals to contribute to medical progress. This month, none of the 6 newly opened trials are seeking healthy volunteers. However, for those without specific health conditions, there are still 81 total trials currently recruiting healthy volunteers across Iowa. These studies are crucial for establishing baseline data and understanding how interventions affect healthy individuals.

Regarding specific demographics, 5 of the new trials this month include older adults, ensuring that research addresses the health needs of Iowa's senior population. There are no new trials exclusively for children, females, or males this month.

Industry sponsors are leading the charge in new research this month, accounting for 4 of the new trials. Notable industry sponsors include Novo Nordisk A/S and AstraZeneca. Academic and other institutions are also contributing, with 2 new trials from entities like Jill Kolesar and the University of Colorado, Denver.

As we move further into May, the ongoing enrollment in these diverse studies will continue to shape the future of healthcare. We encourage all interested Iowans to explore the available opportunities, especially those with impending deadlines, and consider how their participation can make a significant impact on medical advancements.