Missouri Clinical Trials Report — April 2026

For Missourians considering participation in medical research, April 2026 presents a critical window of opportunity, especially for those looking to join studies that are nearing their enrollment deadlines. Across the state, 117 clinical trials are slated to close within the next 90 days. This urgency extends to healthy volunteers, with 16 of these rapidly closing studies actively seeking participants without specific health conditions. Individuals interested in 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 Alzheimer's disease, obesity, and various types of sarcomas are among those with limited time remaining for enrollment. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Alzheimer disease
• Obesity
• Unresectable undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma
• Metastatic undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma
• Solid tumor
• Unresectable dedifferentiated liposarcoma
• Heart failure
• Deep venous thrombosis
• Metastatic dedifferentiated liposarcoma
• Metastatic malignant solid neoplasm

Major Research Initiatives Launch in Missouri

This month brings several high-profile new trials to Missouri, including significant Phase 2 and 3 studies from major pharmaceutical companies and leading research institutions. These trials offer participants the chance to engage with cutting-edge treatments and diagnostic tools, addressing a range of health challenges from metabolic disorders to severe asthma and surgical recovery.

• Novo Nordisk A/S is sponsoring NCT07509307, "AMAZE 6," a Phase 3 study investigating how well the medicine NNC0487-0111 helps people with excess body weight and knee osteoarthritis lose weight and reduce pain. This large trial aims to enroll 400 participants to evaluate the safety and effect of this weekly injectable treatment compared to placebo.
• Kinaset Therapeutics Inc is launching NCT07532265, "A Phase 2 Dose Ranging Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Frevecitinib (KN-002) in Patients With Severe Asthma." This study seeks 512 participants who have severe asthma not controlled with standard medium to high dose ICS/LABA, evaluating Frevecitinib over a 12-week treatment period.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is leading NCT07507643, "A Study of Methylprednisolone in People Having Liver Surgery." This Phase 3 study, with 750 participants, aims to determine if receiving methylprednisolone before liver surgery can reduce common side effects like infections and shorten hospital stays.
• AstraZeneca is conducting NCT07525375, "A Phase II Study to Investigate 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 study, involving 69 participants, evaluates the effect of different glycopyrronium doses as an add-on treatment for children aged 4 to less than 12 years with asthma.

April's Research Landscape: Fewer New Trials, Targeted Opportunities

This month, Missouri saw the opening of 11 new clinical trials, a decrease from the 24 trials that launched in March 2026. Despite this modest dip, the state continues to offer a diverse array of research opportunities, with a total of 1,852 clinical trials currently recruiting across 62 cities and 940 research sites.

The majority of new research initiatives this month are concentrated in Missouri's major metropolitan areas. St. Louis leads with 6 new trials, followed by Kansas City with 2, and Saint Charles with 2. Columbia and Springfield each saw 1 new trial launch. While new trial openings show a concentration in urban centers, the overall research landscape remains broadly accessible across the state.

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

• Gaming performance
• Cognitive function
• COVID-19
• Hepatectomy
• Malnutrition (calorie)
• Obesity
• Osteoarthritis, knee
• Overweight
• Severe asthma
• Stenosing tenosynovitis

The types of interventions being studied are varied. Drug trials account for 3 of the new trials, dietary supplements for 2, and device, biological, combination product, other, and procedure trials each account for 1 new study.

Diverse Participation: Healthy Volunteers and Specific Demographics

Participation in clinical trials is open to a wide range of individuals. Of the 11 new trials launched this month, 6 include older adults, ensuring that senior populations have ample opportunity to contribute to medical science. Additionally, 2 new trials are open to children.

For individuals without a specific medical condition, there are significant opportunities to contribute. 4 of the new trials this month are actively seeking healthy volunteers. Across Missouri, a total of 193 clinical trials are currently recruiting healthy participants, providing numerous avenues for those interested in supporting medical research.

Academic institutions continue to play a vital role in Missouri's research ecosystem, with Washington University School of Medicine sponsoring 3 of the new trials and Lindenwood University sponsoring 2. Industry sponsors, including Kinaset Therapeutics Inc, Abbott Nutrition, Novo Nordisk A/S, and AstraZeneca, are also driving significant research efforts, accounting for 4 of the new studies this month. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is sponsoring 1 new trial, highlighting federal involvement.

As we move further into spring, the focus will likely shift towards the ongoing enrollment in these significant Phase 2 and 3 trials, while researchers prepare for the next wave of innovative studies to address a broad spectrum of health challenges across Missouri.