Washington Clinical Trials Report — May 2026

For Washington residents considering participation in clinical research, May 2026 presents a critical window of opportunity, particularly for those interested in trials nearing their enrollment deadlines. Across the state, 118 clinical trials are slated to close within the next 90 days. This urgency extends to healthy volunteers, with 13 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, mental health, and infectious diseases are among those with limited time remaining for enrollment. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Anatomic stage ii breast cancer ajcc v8
• PTSD
• Anatomic stage iii breast cancer ajcc v8
• Breast cancer
• Major depressive disorder
• Multiple myeloma
• HIV infections
• Prostate cancer
• Amputation
• Alcohol use disorder (AUD)

Major Research Initiatives Launch in Washington

This month brings several high-profile new trials to Washington, including significant Phase 3 studies from major pharmaceutical companies. These trials offer participants the chance to engage with cutting-edge treatments addressing prevalent health challenges such as heart failure, obesity, and obstructive sleep apnoea.

This May, Washington saw the opening of 7 new clinical trials. While this is a decrease compared to the 18 trials that launched in March 2026, the new studies are impactful, with a strong focus on conditions affecting a large portion of the population. The state continues to offer a broad array of research opportunities, with a total of 1,665 clinical trials currently recruiting across 70 cities and 803 research sites.

Leading the charge this month is Novo Nordisk A/S, sponsoring 3 notable Phase 3 trials:

• NCT07567001: "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.
• 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." This study seeks to enroll 300 participants to assess the efficacy and safety of NNC0487-0111 in individuals with excess body weight and obstructive sleep apnoea who are not treated with positive airway pressure.
• 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." Also targeting 300 participants, this trial evaluates NNC0487-0111 in people with overweight or obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea who are treated with positive airway pressure.

Other sponsors contributing to new research include DePuy Synthes Products, Inc., Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the University of Washington. These new studies are exploring a range of conditions, from common ailments to more specialized areas. This month's new trials are targeting:

• Obesity
• Overweight
• Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Tobacco-related carcinoma
• Hallux valgus
• Very preterm and extremely preterm birth
• Heart failure
• HIV

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 biological treatments, diagnostic tests, dietary supplements, and other types of research.

Geographic Reach: Research Across Washington

The majority of new research initiatives this month are concentrated in the Seattle metropolitan area, with 5 of the 7 new trials opening in Seattle. However, other cities across the state also saw new trial launches, indicating a continued effort to make research accessible beyond the largest urban centers. New trials opened in:

• Seattle (5)
• Renton (2)
• Puyallup (1)
• Tacoma (1)

While new trial openings were fewer this month, the overall landscape of clinical research in Washington remains robust, with studies recruiting in 70 cities. This broad distribution ensures that individuals across the state have opportunities to participate in medical advancements close to home.

Diverse Participation: Opportunities for Healthy Volunteers and Specific Demographics

Participation in clinical trials is open to a wide range of individuals. Of the 7 new trials launched this month, 4 include older adults, ensuring that senior populations have ample opportunity to contribute to medical science. Additionally, 1 new trial is open to children, offering opportunities for younger participants to engage in research that could benefit their age group. There are no new female-only or male-only trials this month.

For individuals without a specific medical condition, there are significant opportunities to contribute. 1 of the new trials this month is actively seeking healthy volunteers. Across Washington, a total of 153 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 Washington's research ecosystem, with the University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center sponsoring new trials. Industry sponsors, including Novo Nordisk A/S and DePuy Synthes Products, Inc., are also driving significant research efforts, accounting for 4 of the new studies this month. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is also a notable sponsor 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 trials, while researchers prepare for the next wave of innovative studies to address a broad spectrum of health challenges across Washington.