Pennsylvania Clinical Trials Report — April 2026

For Pennsylvanians considering participation in clinical research, April 2026 presents a critical window of opportunity, particularly for those looking to join studies that are nearing their enrollment deadlines. Across the state, 261 clinical trials are slated to close within the next 90 days. This urgency extends to healthy volunteers, with 48 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 types of cancer, neurological conditions, and metabolic disorders are among those with limited time remaining for enrollment. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Cancer
• Opioid use disorder
• Chronic pain
• Breast cancer
• Sleep
• Type 2 diabetes
• Schizophrenia
• Gastric cancer
• Stroke
• Colorectal cancer

A Closer Look at Pennsylvania's New Research Landscape

This month, Pennsylvania saw the opening of 15 new clinical trials. This figure represents a notable decrease compared to the 46 trials that launched in March 2026, indicating a slower pace of new research initiation this April. Despite this, the new studies offer diverse opportunities across various health conditions and research types.

The new trials are distributed across several cities, with major metropolitan areas leading the way. Both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh each welcomed 6 new trials. Additional opportunities opened in Cranberry Township, Kingston, Yardley, and York, each hosting 1 new trial. This distribution ensures that research opportunities are accessible in both urban centers and some surrounding communities.

The conditions targeted by these new studies include:

• Psychological distress
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cardiovascular disease and lipoprotein(a)
• Cerebral palsy
• Chronic kidney disease
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Coronary calcification
• Coronary calcified disease
• Coronary calcified nodules

In terms of research focus, 5 of the new trials involve medical devices, while another 5 are drug trials. Behavioral interventions account for 3 new studies, with 1 procedure-based trial and 2 other types of research also commencing.

Groundbreaking Studies from Major Sponsors

Several high-profile trials from notable sponsors have launched in Pennsylvania this month, offering participants access to cutting-edge research. These include significant Phase 2 and 3 studies aimed at addressing complex health challenges:

• Novartis Pharmaceuticals is sponsoring NCT07517263, "An Open Label Extension (OLE) Study (Following Completion of CTQJ230A12301) to Evaluate Long-term Safety and Tolerability of Pelacarsen (TQJ230)." This Phase 3 open-label extension study will provide continued access to pelacarsen (TQJ230) for participants who have completed a prior double-blind study. It is designed for a substantial 5,700 participants, focusing on long-term safety and tolerability.
• Incyte Corporation is initiating NCT07522073, "A Study to Evaluate Chemotherapy With or Without INCB161734 in Previously Untreated, KRAS G12D-Mutated Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma." This Phase 3 study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new treatment combination for a specific type of pancreatic cancer, involving 588 participants.
• 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 Phase 2 study will assess different doses of Frevecitinib (KN-002) over a 12-week period in patients whose severe asthma is not well-controlled by standard treatments, with 512 participants expected.
• The VA Office of Research and Development is leading NCT07507747, "Testing an Adaptive Intervention for Peer-Supported Mobile Health for Primary Care Veterans With Psychological Distress." This study explores accessible mobile health applications to help Veterans manage psychological distress, including depression, PTSD, anxiety, and sleep problems, for 384 participants.
• Iantrek, Inc. is sponsoring NCT07520175, "A Study of Outcomes Following Bio-Reinforced Canaloplasty in Eyes With Open-Angle Glaucoma." This research aims to understand how a specific surgical procedure impacts eye pressure and the durability of its effect in patients with open-angle glaucoma, involving 300 participants.

Participation Opportunities: Healthy Volunteers and Demographics

Across Pennsylvania, there are currently 3,208 clinical trials recruiting participants across 171 cities and 1,732 research sites, offering a broad spectrum of opportunities for engagement in medical research.

For individuals without a specific medical condition, there are significant opportunities to contribute. Of the 15 new trials launched this month, 2 are actively seeking healthy volunteers. Statewide, a total of 375 clinical trials are currently recruiting healthy participants, providing numerous avenues for those interested in supporting medical research without having a particular diagnosis.

Eligibility for new trials this month is inclusive across various age groups. 3 of the new studies include children, ensuring younger populations can participate in relevant research. Additionally, 13 of the new trials are open to older adults, highlighting a continued focus on health issues affecting senior populations.

Academic institutions play a vital role in Pennsylvania's research ecosystem, with the University of Pennsylvania sponsoring 3 of the new trials and the University of Pittsburgh sponsoring 2. Industry sponsors, including Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Incyte Corporation, and Kinaset Therapeutics Inc, are also driving significant research efforts, accounting for 4 of the new studies this month. The remaining 10 new trials are sponsored by other organizations, including federal entities like the VA Office of Research and Development.

As we move through the spring, the focus will remain on the enrollment progress of 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 Pennsylvania.