South Dakota Clinical Trials Report — May 2026

For South Dakotans considering participation in clinical research, May 2026 brings a critical window of opportunity, particularly for those interested in trials that are nearing their enrollment deadlines. Across the state, 13 clinical trials are slated to close within the next 90 days. This urgency extends to healthy volunteers, with 3 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, chronic conditions, and developmental studies are among those with limited time remaining for enrollment. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Stage IV lung cancer AJCC V8
• Advanced lung non-small cell carcinoma
• Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD)
• Colon cancer
• COVID-19
• Developmental delay
• Dry eye disease (DED)
• Lung cancer diagnosis
• Metastatic colon cancer
• Metastatic dedifferentiated liposarcoma

Major Research Initiatives Launch in South Dakota

This month brings a significant new Phase 3 drug trial to South Dakota, offering participants the chance to engage with cutting-edge treatments addressing heart failure and obesity. This notable study is sponsored by a major pharmaceutical company, adding credibility and reach to the state's research landscape.

• 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. This study represents a significant opportunity for patients in South Dakota living with these conditions to access a novel investigational treatment.

In addition to this major drug trial, another new study has opened this month, sponsored by the University of South Dakota. This research focuses on cervical cancer screening and is classified as a behavioral intervention. This mix of industry-sponsored drug trials and academic-led behavioral studies highlights the diverse research interests active within the state.

South Dakota's Evolving Research Landscape

This May, South Dakota saw the opening of 2 new clinical trials. While this number is consistent with last month's openings in April 2026, and with March 2026 which also had 2 new trials, it represents a decrease compared to the 6 trials that launched in February 2026. Despite this fluctuation in new openings, the state continues to offer a broad array of research opportunities, with a total of 322 clinical trials currently recruiting across 15 cities and 135 research sites.

The new research initiatives this month are distributed across the state, with one trial opening in Lake Andes and another in Rapid City. This geographic spread helps ensure that research opportunities are not solely concentrated in major metropolitan areas, making participation more accessible for residents in different regions of South Dakota.

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

• Cervical cancer screening
• Heart failure
• Obesity

The types of interventions being studied are varied, with one new trial classified as a drug study and the other as a behavioral intervention. This diversity allows for different approaches to improving health outcomes and understanding various aspects of well-being.

Diverse Participation: Healthy Volunteers and Specific Demographics

Participation in clinical trials is open to a wide range of individuals. Of the 2 new trials launched this month, both include older adults, ensuring that senior populations have opportunities to contribute to medical science. Additionally, 1 new trial is specifically designed for female participants. There are no new trials this month that include children or are exclusively for male participants.

For individuals without a specific medical condition, there are opportunities to contribute. 1 of the new trials this month is actively seeking healthy volunteers. Across South Dakota, a total of 17 clinical trials are currently recruiting healthy participants, providing numerous avenues for those interested in supporting medical research without having a particular health condition.

Academic institutions continue to play a vital role in South Dakota's research ecosystem, with the University of South Dakota sponsoring one of the new trials. Industry sponsors, including Novo Nordisk A/S, are also driving significant research efforts, accounting for the other new study this month. This balance between academic and industry-led research enriches the variety and scope of studies available to residents.

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