Nebraska Clinical Trials Report — April 2026

For Nebraskans considering participation in clinical research, April 2026 brings a critical window of opportunity, particularly for those looking to join studies that are nearing their enrollment deadlines. Across the state, a total of 43 clinical trials are slated to close within the next 90 days. This urgency extends to healthy volunteers, with 11 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 various conditions, from digestive health to neurological disorders, are among those with limited time remaining for enrollment. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C)
• Heart failure
• Major depressive disorder
• Parkinson's disease
• Atrial fibrillation
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
• Advanced cancer
• Cancer weight loss
• Asthma
• Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD)

Groundbreaking Research Launches: Obesity, Liver Surgery, and Metabolic Health

This month brings 8 new clinical trials to Nebraska, offering participants the chance to engage with cutting-edge treatments and diagnostic tools. This number matches the 8 new trials that opened in March 2026, indicating a consistent pace of new research opportunities. Among these are significant Phase 2 and 3 studies from notable sponsors, addressing a range of health challenges from metabolic disorders to surgical recovery.

• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is sponsoring NCT07507643, "A Study of Methylprednisolone in People Having Liver Surgery." This Phase 3 study aims to enroll 750 participants to investigate whether receiving methylprednisolone before liver surgery can reduce side effects such as infections and shorten hospital stays. This research could significantly impact post-surgical recovery.
• Caliway Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. is launching NCT07526974, "A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of CBL-514 Injection for Reducing Subcutaneous Fat (SUPREME-02)." This Phase 3, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study will evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of CBL-514 injection for reducing abdominal subcutaneous fat in 320 participants.
• Eccogene is initiating the "MIST (Metabolic Intervention With Semaglutide and THR-β Therapy) Trial," NCT07505303. This Phase 2 study, involving 160 participants, will evaluate the effect of oral ECC4703 on body weight reduction and, in a sub-study, on liver fat content as assessed by MRI-PDFF at Week 20. This trial builds on existing knowledge of metabolic interventions.

The new studies opening this month are exploring a diverse set of conditions and health areas, reflecting the broad scope of medical research in Nebraska. These include:

• Adult obesity and weight management
• Developmental language disorder
• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
• Hepatectomy (liver surgery)
• Motor function
• Periodontal inflammation
• Subcutaneous fat reduction

In terms of intervention types, drug trials lead the way, accounting for 4 of the new studies. Other new trials include behavioral interventions, device studies, radiation treatments, and other types of research, offering varied opportunities for participation.

Expanding Opportunities for Healthy Volunteers

For individuals without a specific medical condition, there are significant opportunities to contribute to medical science in Nebraska. This month, 5 of the 8 new trials are actively seeking healthy volunteers, providing numerous avenues for those interested in supporting research without a prior diagnosis. Statewide, a total of 70 clinical trials are currently recruiting healthy participants, underscoring the ongoing need for diverse participation in research.

Nebraska's Research Footprint: Geographic Reach and Participant Diversity

Nebraska's clinical research landscape is robust, with a total of 704 clinical trials currently recruiting across 23 cities and 384 research sites. This broad distribution ensures that opportunities are accessible to residents throughout the state, not just in major metropolitan areas.

This month's new trials are primarily concentrated in the state's largest cities. Of the 8 new studies, 7 opened in Omaha, and 1 opened in Lincoln. While these urban centers remain hubs for new research, the overall number of recruiting sites across Nebraska indicates widespread research activity.

Eligibility for new trials this month is also inclusive. 5 of the new studies are open to older adults (aged 65-85 years), ensuring that senior populations have ample opportunity to contribute to medical science. Additionally, 2 new trials include children, highlighting research efforts focused on younger demographics.

Academic institutions continue to play a vital role in Nebraska's research ecosystem, with the University of Nebraska sponsoring 3 of the new trials. Other key sponsors include Father Flanagan's Boys' Home and the University of Colorado, Denver. Industry sponsors like Caliway Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. and Eccogene are also driving significant research efforts, accounting for 2 of the new studies this month, with 6 studies falling under the 'Other' sponsor category, often indicating collaborative or institutional efforts.

As we move further into spring, the focus will likely remain on 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 Nebraska.