Wisconsin Clinical Trials Report — April 2026

For Wisconsinites considering participation in clinical research, April 2026 presents a critical window of opportunity, especially for studies nearing their enrollment deadlines. Across the state, a substantial number of trials are closing soon, with 84 studies slated to conclude within the next 90 days. This urgency extends to healthy volunteers, as 14 of these rapidly closing trials are actively seeking participants without specific health conditions. If you've been contemplating contributing to medical advancements, now is the time to explore these options before they are no longer available.

Patients managing specific health conditions also face impending deadlines to join research. Trials focused on various types of cancer, neurological conditions, and cardiovascular health are among those with limited time remaining for enrollment. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Breast cancer (4 trials)
• Stage III pancreatic cancer AJCC v8 (2 trials)
• Deep venous thrombosis (2 trials)
• Pancreatic cancer (2 trials)
• Stroke (2 trials)
• Stage IV lung cancer AJCC v8 (2 trials)
• Recurrent endometrial carcinoma (2 trials)
• Cholangiocarcinoma (2 trials)
• Myelodysplastic syndromes (2 trials)

Additionally, 2 trials specifically for healthy volunteers are among those closing in the near future, offering a final chance to contribute without a pre-existing condition.

Groundbreaking Research Arrives: Pancreatic Cancer, Liver Surgery, and AI Innovation

This month, Wisconsin welcomes 10 new clinical trials, offering fresh opportunities for participation. While this marks a decrease from the 21 new trials that opened in March 2026, the new additions include significant Phase 3 studies from major sponsors, alongside innovative research from academic institutions.

Two notable Phase 3 drug trials stand out, offering advanced treatment options for serious conditions:

• Incyte Corporation is sponsoring NCT07522073, a crucial Phase 3 study. This trial evaluates standard chemotherapy with or without an investigational compound, INCB161734, for individuals with previously untreated, KRAS G12D-Mutated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. This important oncology trial aims to enroll 588 participants.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is leading NCT07507643, "A Study of Methylprednisolone in People Having Liver Surgery." This Phase 3 study, designed for 750 participants, investigates whether receiving methylprednisolone before liver surgery can reduce common side effects like infections and shorten hospital stays.

Beyond drug development, innovation in healthcare delivery is also a focus. The University of Wisconsin, Madison, is sponsoring NCT07532083, a study titled "Implementing AI-Assisted, Patient-Friendly Imaging Report Summaries to Enhance Oncology Care Delivery." This initiative, planning for 2,000 participants, explores the impact of an AI-assisted radiology summary tool on patient and provider experiences within oncology care at UW Health.

New Opportunities for Healthy Volunteers

For those interested in contributing to medical research without a specific health condition, April brings new avenues for participation. Of the 10 trials launched this month, 3 are actively seeking healthy volunteers. These new opportunities add to the substantial number of existing options, with a total of 137 trials statewide currently recruiting healthy participants.

The conditions being explored by this month's new trials are diverse, reflecting a broad spectrum of research interests:

• Healthy volunteers (2 trials)
• Glioblastoma (1 trial)
• Hepatectomy (1 trial)
• Oncology (1 trial)
• Post concussion syndrome (1 trial)
• Sleep (1 trial)
• Solid tumors (1 trial)
• Epilepsy (1 trial)
• Temperature monitoring (1 trial)

Wisconsin's Research Footprint: Where to Find Trials

Wisconsin continues to be a hub for clinical research, with a total of 1,235 clinical trials currently recruiting across 85 cities and 643 research sites. This broad distribution ensures accessibility for residents throughout the state.

This month's new trials show a concentration in key metropolitan areas, with Madison leading the way:

• Madison (7 new trials)
• Milwaukee (2 new trials)
• Appleton (1 new trial)
• La Crosse (1 new trial)

While new openings tend to cluster in larger cities with major medical centers, the overall research landscape remains widely accessible, with trials available in a significant number of communities across Wisconsin.

Who Can Participate? Demographics and Sponsors

Clinical trials are designed to include a diverse range of participants. Of the 10 new trials launched this month, 7 are open to older adults, ensuring that senior populations have ample opportunities to contribute to medical science. Additionally, 1 new trial includes children, and 1 study is specifically designed for male participants.

The driving forces behind these new studies are a mix of academic institutions and industry leaders. Academic centers play a significant role, with the University of Wisconsin, Madison sponsoring 3 new trials and the Medical College of Wisconsin sponsoring 2. Industry sponsors, including Eli Lilly and Company, Pfizer, and the aforementioned Incyte Corporation, are also contributing to the state's research efforts, accounting for 3 of the new studies this month.

In terms of the type of research, drug trials represent the largest category among the new openings, with 5 new drug studies. Device trials also show strong activity, with 4 new device-related studies, alongside trials involving procedures and other types of interventions.

As we move through spring, the focus remains on leveraging these opportunities, particularly the time-sensitive trials closing soon and the innovative new studies addressing critical health challenges across Wisconsin.