Rhode Island Clinical Trials Report — May 2026

For Rhode Island residents considering participation in clinical research, May 2026 presents a critical window of opportunity, especially for those looking to join studies that are nearing their enrollment deadlines. Across the state, 41 clinical trials are slated to close within the next 90 days. This urgency extends to healthy volunteers, with 7 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 specific types of cancer, neurological disorders, and mental health are among those with limited time remaining for enrollment. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Advanced solid tumor
• Depression
• Alcohol use disorder
• Anatomic stage II breast cancer AJCC v8
• Anatomic stage III breast cancer AJCC v8
• Alzheimer disease
• Asthma in children
• Astrocytoma
• Astrocytoma, IDH-mutant

These studies offer crucial opportunities for individuals to access potential new treatments or contribute to understanding these conditions. The window for participation is closing, so prompt inquiry is encouraged.

New Opportunities for Health and Discovery

May 2026 brings several high-profile new trials to Rhode Island, including significant Phase 2 and 3 studies from major pharmaceutical companies. These initiatives offer participants the chance to engage with cutting-edge treatments and diagnostic tools, addressing a range of health challenges from metabolic disorders to infectious disease prevention.

• Novo Nordisk A/S is sponsoring NCT07564414, a Phase 3 study titled "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 substantial trial aims to enroll 2,500 participants globally, evaluating the safety and effectiveness of CagriSema for body weight loss in individuals with obesity, with or without type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study represents a significant effort to address a widespread health concern with a novel therapeutic approach.
• Another notable new trial comes from Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., with their Phase 2 study NCT07562087, "A Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of TP-05 in Healthy Participants With Tick Exposure." This trial is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of TP-05 administered orally to healthy adult participants. With 700 participants targeted, this study offers a unique opportunity for healthy individuals in Rhode Island to contribute to research on tick-borne disease prevention, a particularly relevant area given the regional prevalence of tick exposure. This is the one new trial launched this month that is actively seeking healthy volunteers.

Rhode Island's Evolving Research Landscape

This month, Rhode Island saw the opening of 4 new clinical trials, a decrease compared to the 6 trials that launched in April 2026 and the 11 in March. Despite this fluctuation, the state continues to offer a broad array of research opportunities, with a total of 498 clinical trials currently recruiting across 15 cities and 197 research sites.

The new research initiatives this month are distributed across several communities, indicating a commitment to making research accessible beyond a single urban center. New trials opened in:

• Cumberland
• East Providence
• Providence
• Warwick

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

• Obesity
• Lyme disease
• Pain from onabotulinumtoxina injections
• Type 2 diabetes
• Hemorrhage, surgical
• Tonsillar bleeding

The types of interventions being studied are varied, with drug trials leading the way, accounting for 3 of the new trials. Other new studies include procedures and other types of research, demonstrating a diverse approach to medical innovation.

Diverse Participation: Healthy Volunteers and Specific Demographics

Participation in clinical trials is open to a wide range of individuals. Of the 4 new trials launched this month, 1 includes children, offering opportunities for younger participants to engage in research that could benefit their age group. Additionally, 3 new trials are open to older adults, ensuring that senior populations have ample opportunity to contribute to medical science.

For individuals without a specific medical condition, there are significant opportunities to contribute. As highlighted earlier, the new trial from Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is actively seeking healthy volunteers. Across Rhode Island, a total of 60 clinical trials are currently recruiting healthy participants, providing numerous avenues for those interested in supporting medical research and contributing to the development of new treatments and preventatives.

Academic institutions and industry sponsors continue to play a vital role in Rhode Island's research ecosystem. The new trials this month are supported by a mix of prominent organizations, including Novo Nordisk A/S and Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., alongside the Association of Migraine Disorders and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. This blend of industry and academic backing ensures a robust and varied research environment.

As we move through May, 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 Rhode Island. We encourage all interested individuals to explore these opportunities and consider the impact their participation can have on future medical advancements.