Missouri Clinical Trials Report — May 2026

For Missourians considering participation in clinical research, May 2026 brings an important update, particularly for those interested in trials with rapidly approaching enrollment deadlines. Across the state, 119 clinical trials are scheduled to conclude within the next 90 days. This includes a significant opportunity for healthy volunteers, with 24 studies actively seeking participants without specific health conditions before their enrollment windows close. Individuals looking to contribute to medical advancements should review these options promptly.

Time is Running Out: Urgent Opportunities in Missouri Research

The impending closure of these 119 trials means a limited window for participation in a variety of research areas. Patients managing specific health conditions will find several studies nearing their final enrollment stages. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Solid tumor
• Alzheimer disease
• Heart failure
• Pneumonia
• Major depressive disorder
• Obesity
• Breast cancer
• Advanced solid tumor
• Aging

Beyond these specific conditions, there are also 2 trials specifically for healthy individuals that are closing soon. This highlights a critical, time-sensitive chance for those without particular health concerns to contribute to foundational medical understanding.

New Pathways in Missouri Research

This May, Missouri welcomed 6 new clinical trials, offering fresh opportunities for residents to engage with cutting-edge research. While this number is lower than the 24 trials that opened in March 2026, the new studies address significant health challenges and feature notable sponsors.

Among the new additions are major Phase 2 and 3 drug trials from prominent industry sponsors, alongside important behavioral research from academic institutions. These trials represent diverse approaches to improving health outcomes:

• 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.
• The University of Missouri, Kansas City is leading NCT07560969, a study focused on "Addressing Food Access and Physical Activity to Improve Diabetes Prevention Outcomes Among Underserved African Americans." This trial aims to enroll 408 participants to learn if an enhanced, culturally, socially, and structurally tailored Diabetes Prevention Program (E-DPP) can improve weight loss and related diabetes risk factors in African American adults with prediabetes living in low-income, socially vulnerable communities.
• 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 will involve 54 participants and aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Lacripep in subjects with Stage 1 Neurotrophic Keratitis (NK).

The conditions targeted by these new trials span critical health areas, including:

• Obesity
• AML with mutated NPM1
• AML, adult recurrent
• Diabetes
• Food security
• Heart failure
• Neurotrophic keratitis
• Nutrition security
• Physical activity
• Prostate cancer

The majority of new studies this month are drug trials, accounting for 5 of the new openings, with 1 behavioral trial and 1 other type of research also initiating recruitment. Industry sponsors, including Novo Nordisk A/S and TearSolutions, Inc., are driving 5 of these new initiatives, while the University of Missouri, Kansas City, represents the academic contribution this month.

Missouri's Research Footprint: Where to Find Trials

Missouri continues to be an active hub for clinical research, with a total of 1,856 clinical trials currently recruiting across 62 cities and 937 research sites statewide. This broad distribution ensures that opportunities are accessible to residents across various regions.

This month's new trials are primarily concentrated in the state's major metropolitan areas. St. Louis saw the opening of 5 new trials, while Kansas City added 2 new studies. Chesterfield also welcomed 1 new trial. This geographic spread indicates that while key urban centers remain focal points for new research, opportunities are available beyond a single city.

Who Can Participate? Eligibility and Healthy Volunteer Opportunities

Participation in clinical trials is open to a diverse group of individuals. Of the 6 new trials launched this month, all 6 include older adults, ensuring that senior populations have ample opportunities to contribute to medical science. One new trial is specifically designed for male participants, while none are exclusively for females or children this month.

For individuals without a specific medical condition, opportunities to contribute to research remain available, though none of the new trials opened this month are seeking healthy volunteers. However, across Missouri, a total of 191 clinical trials are currently recruiting healthy participants. These ongoing studies provide numerous avenues for those interested in supporting medical research without having a diagnosed condition.

Looking ahead, Missouri's research landscape will continue to evolve, with ongoing enrollment in these significant Phase 2 and 3 trials, alongside the emergence of new studies addressing a broad spectrum of health challenges. Residents are encouraged to regularly check for updates as new opportunities arise and existing trials near completion.