Ohio Clinical Trials Report — May 2026

For Ohioans considering participation in clinical research, May 2026 presents a critical window of opportunity, particularly for those looking to join studies that are nearing their enrollment deadlines. Across the state, 241 clinical trials are slated to close within the next 90 days. This urgency extends to healthy volunteers, with 27 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 cancers, neurological conditions, and cardiovascular health are among those with limited time remaining for enrollment. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Advanced solid tumor
• Breast cancer
• Epilepsy
• Stage IV lung cancer AJCC V8
• Major depressive disorder
• Stroke
• Heart failure
• Ewing sarcoma
• Hemiparesis
• Chronic pain

Major Research Initiatives Launch in Ohio

This month brings several high-profile new trials to Ohio, including significant Phase 3 and 4 studies from major pharmaceutical companies and leading academic 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 vision impairments and oncology.

• 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.
• Ohio State University is leading NCT07567040, a Phase 4 study named "Delaying the Onset of Nearsightedness Until Treatment (DONUT) Clinical Trial." This trial will involve 664 participants and test whether the onset of nearsightedness (myopia) is delayed in a group of children randomized to nightly drops of 0.05% atropine compared to a placebo. This study includes children as participants.
• Immuneering Corporation is sponsoring NCT07562152, a Phase 3 study titled "Atebimetinib + GnP as a First Line Treatment in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma." This trial aims to enroll 510 participants to evaluate the safety and efficacy of atebimetinib in combination with modified GnP compared with standard of care GnP alone.
• Two additional Phase 3 studies from Novo Nordisk A/S focus on obstructive sleep apnoea: NCT07571005, "AMAZE 3: A Research Study Investigating How Well the Medicine NNC0487-0111 Helps People With Excess Body Weight and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Not Treated With Positive Airway Pressure Lose Weight and Improve Sleep Apnoea," and NCT07571109, "AMAZE 4: A Research Study Investigating How Well the Medicine NNC0487-0111 Helps People With Excess Body Weight and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Treated With Positive Airway Pressure Lose Weight and Improve Sleep Apnoea." Each of these studies plans to enroll 300 participants to investigate the efficacy and safety of NNC0487-0111.

A Closer Look at Ohio's Evolving Research Landscape

This month, Ohio saw the opening of 13 new clinical trials, a notable decrease compared to the 49 trials that launched in March 2026. Despite this dip in new openings, the state continues to offer a broad array of research opportunities, with a total of 3,106 clinical trials currently recruiting across 153 cities and 1,746 research sites.

The majority of new research initiatives this month are concentrated in Ohio's major metropolitan areas. Top cities for new trial openings include:

• Cleveland (5 new trials)
• Cincinnati (4 new trials)
• Columbus (4 new trials)
• Maumee (3 new trials)

Other cities like Vandalia, Dayton, Marion, and Canton each saw one new trial open, indicating that research opportunities are available beyond the largest urban centers, contributing to statewide accessibility.

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

• Obesity
• Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Type 2 diabetes
• Overweight
• Heart failure
• Hopelessness
• Myopia
• Neurobiological conditions
• Pancreatic adenocarcinoma
• Metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma

The types of interventions being studied are varied, with drug trials leading the way, accounting for 7 of the new trials. Other new studies include behavioral interventions, dietary supplements, diagnostic tests, and other types of research.

Diverse Participation: Healthy Volunteers and Specific Demographics

Participation in clinical trials is open to a wide range of individuals. Of the 13 new trials launched this month, 9 include older adults, ensuring that senior populations have ample opportunity to contribute to medical science. Additionally, 3 new trials are open to children, offering opportunities for younger participants to engage in research that could benefit their age group. 2 new trials are specifically for female participants.

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 Ohio, a total of 292 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 Ohio's research ecosystem, with The Cleveland Clinic sponsoring 3 of the new trials and Ohio State University sponsoring 2. Industry sponsors, including Novo Nordisk A/S, are also driving significant research efforts, accounting for 4 of the new studies this month. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and University of Washington are also notable sponsors contributing to the state's research landscape.

As we move through May, the focus will likely shift towards the ongoing enrollment in these significant Phase 3 and 4 trials, while researchers prepare for the next wave of innovative studies to address a broad spectrum of health challenges across Ohio.