Kentucky Clinical Trials Report — April 2026

For Kentuckians considering participation in clinical research, April 2026 brings a critical reminder: time is running out for many studies. Across the state, 74 clinical trials are slated to close their enrollment within the next 90 days. This includes opportunities for healthy volunteers, with 7 of these rapidly closing studies still seeking participants without specific health conditions. If you've been thinking about contributing to medical science, now is the moment to explore these options before they are no longer available.

New Pathways to Health: Major Trials Launch in Kentucky

This month, Kentucky welcomes 7 new clinical trials, offering fresh opportunities for patients and healthy volunteers alike. While this is a slight decrease from the 9 new trials that opened in March 2026, and part of a broader trend that saw 21 new trials in February and 12 in January, the quality and potential impact of these new studies remain high. Notably, several significant Phase 2 and 3 drug trials from major sponsors are now recruiting, focusing on conditions ranging from obesity and asthma to post-surgical recovery.

• Novo Nordisk A/S is sponsoring NCT07509307, "AMAZE 6," a Phase 3 study. This trial investigates the safety and effectiveness of a new medicine, NNC0487-0111, for individuals with excess body weight and knee osteoarthritis. With a target of 400 participants, this study compares weekly injectable doses of the investigational drug against a placebo, aiming to reduce both weight and pain.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is leading NCT07507643, a Phase 3 study titled "A Study of Methylprednisolone in People Having Liver Surgery." This significant trial aims to enroll 750 participants to determine if receiving methylprednisolone before liver surgery can reduce common side effects like infections and shorten hospital stays.
• For younger participants, AstraZeneca has launched NCT07525375, a Phase 2 study focused on "Lung Function With 2 Different Doses of Inhaled Glycopyrronium Taken With BFF Compared to BFF in Participants of 4 to Less Than 12 Years of Age With Asthma." This trial, involving 69 children, evaluates the effect of different glycopyrronium doses as an add-on treatment to existing asthma medication.
• Mead Johnson Nutrition is conducting NCT07513506, an "Extensively Hydrolyzed Formula Growth Monitoring Study (GMS)." This research compares an investigational infant formula against a currently marketed one, evaluating growth in 214 participants.

Beyond these notable drug trials, new research is also exploring behavioral interventions and combination products. The majority of new trials this month are industry-sponsored, with 5 studies supported by pharmaceutical companies and 2 by other organizations.

Opportunities for Healthy Volunteers and Diverse Participants

For individuals without specific medical conditions, April brings a new opportunity to contribute to medical research. One of the 7 new trials opened this month is actively seeking healthy volunteers. Statewide, there are now 82 clinical trials recruiting healthy participants, providing numerous avenues for those interested in supporting medical advancements without having a diagnosed condition.

Clinical trials in Kentucky are also inclusive of various demographics. Of the new studies launched this month, 3 include children, and 4 are open to older adults, ensuring that a broad spectrum of the population can participate in shaping future healthcare. There are no new female-only or male-only trials this month.

Geographic Reach: Where Research is Happening

Kentucky's clinical research landscape is broadly accessible, with 998 trials currently recruiting across 51 cities and 564 research sites. This month's new trials are concentrated in key metropolitan areas:

• Lexington: 3 new trials
• Louisville: 2 new trials
• Owensboro: 2 new trials

This distribution ensures that residents in major population centers have direct access to cutting-edge research opportunities, while the overall statewide presence of trials offers options for many Kentuckians.

Conditions Under Investigation: New and Closing Trials

The new trials opening this month are addressing a range of health concerns, from common conditions to more specialized areas. These include:

• Asthma
• Autism
• Growth
• Hepatectomy
• Obesity
• Osteoarthritis, knee
• Overweight
• Pain, postoperative
• Parkinson disease

Conversely, many trials are nearing their enrollment capacity. Patients managing specific conditions should be aware of the impending deadlines for studies focused on:

• Stage IV lung cancer AJCC V8 (2 trials)
• Non-small cell lung cancer (2 trials)
• Ovarian cancer (2 trials)
• Wounds and injuries (2 trials)
• Obesity (2 trials)
• Aged (1 trial)
• Advanced NSCLC (1 trial)
• Acute myeloid leukemia (1 trial)
• Appendicitis (1 trial)
• Anatomic stage III breast cancer AJCC V8 (1 trial)

These closing trials represent diverse areas of medicine, from oncology to wound care, underscoring the broad impact of ongoing research in Kentucky. Individuals with these conditions who are considering trial participation should inquire promptly.

As spring progresses, Kentucky's research community will continue to advance medical knowledge, with ongoing recruitment for these vital studies and the anticipation of future breakthroughs.