Maryland Clinical Trials Report — May 2026

For Maryland residents considering participation in clinical research, May 2026 presents a critical window of opportunity, particularly for those interested in trials nearing their enrollment deadlines. Across the state, a substantial number of studies are preparing to close, with 190 clinical trials slated to conclude within the next 90 days. This urgency extends to healthy volunteers, as 49 of these rapidly closing studies are actively seeking participants without specific health conditions. Individuals keen on contributing to medical advancements should explore these options promptly before they are no longer available.

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

• Stroke
• Depression
• Mild cognitive impairment
• HIV
• Breast cancer
• Chronic pain
• Prostate cancer
• Advanced breast cancer
• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

New Research Horizons Emerge in Maryland

This month brings a fresh wave of clinical trials to Maryland, offering participants the chance to engage with cutting-edge treatments and diagnostic tools. While the state saw 15 new trials open this May, this number marks a decrease compared to the 41 trials launched in March 2026. Despite this shift, the new studies include significant Phase 2 and 3 initiatives from major pharmaceutical companies and leading academic institutions, addressing a range of health challenges from metabolic disorders to neurological conditions and infectious disease prevention.

Notable new trials accepting participants this month include:

• 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.
• 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.
• For those interested in preventive health, Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is sponsoring NCT07562087, a Phase 2 study titled "A Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of TP-05 in Healthy Participants With Tick Exposure." This study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of TP05 administered orally to healthy adult participants. This is one of the 3 new trials this month actively seeking healthy volunteers.
• Minerva Neurosciences is leading NCT07565428, a Phase 3 study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Roluperidone in adult subjects with negative symptoms and stable positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
• AstraZeneca is sponsoring NCT07571746, a Phase 2 study to assess the effect of Surovatamig in adult participants with antibody-mediated kidney disease (primary membranous nephropathy).
• The University of Maryland, Baltimore is conducting NCT07569354, a study focused on "Recovery Among Older Adults Following Mild TBI," aiming to understand recovery from head injuries in adults aged 65 and older.

Maryland's Diverse Research Landscape

Maryland continues to be a hub for clinical research, with a total of 2,569 clinical trials currently recruiting across 86 cities and 1,113 research sites. This broad distribution ensures that opportunities are available across the state, not just concentrated in major metropolitan areas.

This month's new trials demonstrate a diverse geographic spread, with significant activity in key research centers. The cities with the most new trials include:

• Bethesda (5 new trials)
• Baltimore (5 new trials)
• Rockville (3 new trials)
• Pikesville (1 new trial)
• Gaithersburg (1 new trial)
• Ft. Washington (1 new trial)
• Lutherville (1 new trial)

The conditions targeted by these new studies are varied, reflecting the breadth of medical research in Maryland. New trials are opening for conditions such as:

• Obesity
• ADHD
• B-ALL (a type of leukemia)
• Chin augmentation
• Complementary therapies
• Corticobasal degeneration
• Corticobasal syndrome (CBS)
• Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)
• Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD)

The majority of these new initiatives, 10 out of 15, are drug trials, indicating a strong focus on developing new pharmaceutical interventions. Other new studies include behavioral interventions, biological treatments, and medical device research.

Participation Opportunities for All

Clinical trial participation is open to a wide range of individuals. Of the 15 new trials launched this month, 12 include older adults, ensuring that senior populations have ample opportunity to contribute to medical science. Additionally, 1 new trial is 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. As mentioned, 3 of the new trials this month are actively seeking healthy volunteers. Across Maryland, a total of 536 clinical trials are currently recruiting healthy participants, providing numerous avenues for those interested in supporting medical research without having a diagnosed condition.

Academic institutions continue to play a vital role in Maryland's research ecosystem, with the University of Maryland, Baltimore and Johns Hopkins University sponsoring new trials. Industry sponsors, including Novo Nordisk A/S, Galderma R&D, Minerva Neurosciences, and AstraZeneca, are also driving significant research efforts. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) represent federal contributions to the state's research landscape.

As we move further into May, the focus will remain on the ongoing enrollment in these significant Phase 2 and 3 trials, while researchers continue to prepare for the next wave of innovative studies to address a broad spectrum of health challenges across Maryland.