Rochester, MN Clinical Trials Report — April 2026

For Rochester residents considering participation in clinical research, April 2026 presents a crucial window of opportunity, particularly for those looking to join studies before enrollment closes. Across Rochester, 71 clinical trials are slated to conclude within the next 90 days. This urgency is especially relevant for healthy volunteers, as 15 of these rapidly closing studies are still actively seeking participants without specific health conditions. Individuals interested in contributing to medical advancements should explore these options promptly.

New Opportunities and Notable Research

This month, Rochester saw the opening of 7 new clinical trials, a decrease from the 17 trials that launched in March 2026. Despite this dip in new openings, Rochester continues to be a vital hub for medical research, with a total of 1,102 clinical trials currently recruiting across 130 research facilities.

April brings several high-profile new trials to Rochester, including significant Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies from major sponsors. These trials offer participants the chance to engage with cutting-edge treatments and diagnostic approaches across a range of health challenges.

• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is sponsoring NCT07507643, "A Study of Methylprednisolone in People Having Liver Surgery." This Phase 3 study, aiming for 750 participants, investigates whether methylprednisolone administered before surgery can reduce side effects like infections and shorten hospital stays. This trial is notable for its large participant goal and focus on improving surgical outcomes.
• Case Comprehensive Cancer Center is launching NCT07524634, "Dose Schedule Study of BCMA Bispecific Antibody, Elranatamab, for Newly Diagnosed Immunoglobulin Light Chain (AL) Amyloidosis." This Phase 2 research study is for people newly diagnosed with AL (light chain) amyloidosis who have not yet received any treatment. The purpose of this study, targeting 64 participants, is to evaluate whether elranatamab, a type of immunotherapy drug, can produce deep remissions and organ recovery.
• The Mayo Clinic is leading NCT07510334, "VSV-IFNβ-NIS With Ipilimumab and Nivolumab for the Treatment of Advanced or Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma." This Phase 2 trial tests adding VSV-IFNβ-NIS to standard of care ipilimumab and nivolumab for the treatment of advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. This study aims to enroll 18 participants and represents an important local effort in cancer research.

New trials this month are exploring a range of conditions, including advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma, amyloid light-chain amyloidosis, COVID-19, endometrial carcinoma, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), hepatectomy, metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma, minimal change nephrotic syndrome, musculoskeletal injury, and nephrotic syndrome due to idiopathic membranous nephropathy. Drug trials account for the majority of new studies, with 3 new drug trials, followed by 2 "OTHER" type trials, and 1 each for biological, device, and procedure trials.

Opportunities for Healthy Volunteers

For individuals without a specific medical condition, there are significant opportunities to contribute to medical science. Of the 7 new trials launched this month, 1 is actively seeking healthy volunteers. Across Rochester, a total of 123 clinical trials are currently recruiting healthy participants, providing numerous avenues for those interested in supporting medical research.

Impending Deadlines for Specific Conditions

Patients managing certain health conditions also face impending deadlines to join research. Trials focused on various conditions are among those with limited time remaining for enrollment. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Healthy (4 trials)
• Gastroesophageal cancer (2 trials)
• Colitis, ulcerative (2 trials)
• Ulcerative colitis (2 trials)
• Atrial fibrillation (2 trials)
• Osteoarthritis, knee (2 trials)
• Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (2 trials)
• Anesthesia (1 trial)
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (1 trial)
• Advanced NSCLC (1 trial)

Rochester's Research Hubs

Rochester is home to the renowned Mayo Clinic, which consistently runs a high volume of clinical trials and serves as the primary research institution in the city. These facilities are key destinations for individuals seeking to participate in medical research:

• Mayo Clinic (420 trials)
• Mayo Clinic in Rochester (340 trials)
• Mayo Clinic Rochester (81 trials)
• Mayo Clinic - Rochester (34 trials)
• Research Site (30 trials)
• Mayo Clinic Minnesota (21 trials)
• Mayo Clinic, Rochester (13 trials)
• Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota (9 trials)
• Mayo Clinic Cancer Center (5 trials)
• Mayo Clinic in Minnesota (5 trials)
• Mayo Clinic (Data Collection Only) (4 trials)
• Clinical Trial Site (4 trials)

The various Mayo Clinic entities collectively represent the vast majority of research activity in Rochester, offering a broad spectrum of studies across numerous medical fields. Of the 7 new trials opened this month, 4 are sponsored by the Mayo Clinic, further underscoring its central role in local research.

Broadening Your Search: Nearby Options in Minnesota

While Rochester offers a significant number of clinical trial opportunities, individuals may also find options in other communities within Minnesota. Cities with active trials include Minneapolis (9 trials), Saint Paul (2 trials), Dilworth (1 trial), Maple Grove (1 trial), and Richfield (1 trial). Exploring these nearby locations can expand the range of available studies.

Who Can Participate?

Participation in clinical trials is open to a diverse range of individuals. Of the 7 new trials launched this month, 7 include older adults, ensuring that senior populations have ample opportunity to contribute to medical science. Additionally, 1 new trial is specifically designed for female participants, and 1 includes children. Researchers are actively seeking a wide range of participants to ensure new treatments are effective for diverse populations.

As we move further into spring, Rochester's research community will continue to focus on advancing medical knowledge through ongoing and new clinical trials, offering vital opportunities for patients and healthy volunteers alike to contribute to future healthcare breakthroughs.