Arkansas Clinical Trials Report — March 2026

Imminent Deadlines for Arkansas Research Studies

Time is strictly limited for Arkansas residents seeking to participate in several critical medical studies. Over the next 90 days, researchers will permanently close enrollment for 41 clinical trials across the state. This closing window presents a distinct opportunity for individuals without underlying health conditions to step forward, as four of these concluding studies are actively seeking healthy volunteers. For patients managing specific diagnoses, the chance to access these experimental therapies is rapidly disappearing. Final enrollment phases are approaching quickly for studies focused on the following conditions:

• Stage IV lung cancer
• Bipolar disorder (manic phase)
• Advanced or metastatic solid tumor malignancies
• Anatomic stage II and III breast cancer
• Atopic dermatitis
• Asthma

Major Pharmaceutical Launches and Late-Stage Clinical Development

March brings a revitalized wave of high-profile research to the state, with 11 new trials opening this month—a noticeable increase from the eight studies launched in February. Industry leaders are driving significant late-stage clinical development, offering local patients access to experimental treatments before they reach the broader market. Six of these newly launched studies are focused on drug interventions, while others explore behavioral therapies and medical devices. Several notable therapeutic trials from major sponsors are currently seeking participants:

• Boehringer Ingelheim has launched a Phase 3 study (NCT07472517) testing obrixtamig in combination with standard treatments like atezolizumab, carboplatin, and etoposide. This large-scale trial is open to adults with advanced small cell lung cancer to determine if the regimen improves survival rates compared to standard chemotherapy alone.
• Transcend Therapeutics is evaluating the safety and efficacy of a new compound for mental health in a Phase 3 trial (NCT07456696). This study will randomize participants to receive weekly doses of TSND-201 or a placebo during a four-week treatment period to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Rivus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is conducting a Phase 2 trial (NCT07491458) to assess the safety and tolerability of HU6. This study targets patients diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, measuring changes in liver fat alongside overall pharmacokinetics.
• Whitehawk Therapeutics, Inc. is enrolling participants in two separate Phase 1 trials (NCT07470853 and NCT07444814) to evaluate targeted antibody-drug conjugates for adult participants with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. These studies employ sequential dose escalation and expansion designs to test MUC16-directed and PTK7-directed therapies.
• Shanghai Henlius Biotech has opened a Phase 1 study (NCT07477587) comparing the pharmacokinetic characteristics and safety of HLX15-SC versus DARZALEX FASPRO in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients who are ineligible for transplant.

Academic Innovation and Targeted Interventions

Beyond pharmaceutical testing, academic and medical institutions are launching highly targeted behavioral and procedural studies this month. The University of Arkansas and its affiliated research centers are sponsoring several new trials, cementing their role as central hubs for medical advancement in the region. Among their new initiatives is a comprehensive behavioral study (NCT07490717) developing innovative care pathways for screening and treating opioid use disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder in jail populations. This research addresses the critical period following release from incarceration, aiming to mitigate the risk of opioid overdose and concurrent stimulant use among justice-involved individuals.

The Arkansas Colleges of Health Education is also initiating a unique Phase 2 trial (NCT07487090) exploring the cardiovascular benefits of fasted versus fed state exercise. This study provides a lifestyle-based alternative for individuals seeking natural solutions to heart disease and obesity management, bypassing the costs and side effects associated with traditional medications.

March's new clinical trials are also targeting a highly specific array of chronic and acute conditions. Researchers are actively seeking patients recently diagnosed with or currently managing:

• Endometrial cancer
• Platinum-resistant ovarian cancer
• Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis
• Opioid use disorder
• Multiple myeloma
• Maternal health and infant nutrition

Statewide Access and Research Hubs

Arkansas maintains a robust and highly accessible clinical research infrastructure, with 674 active trials currently recruiting across 36 cities and 334 individual research sites. Geographically, new research opportunities are heavily clustered in the state's largest medical districts. Little Rock leads the state with seven newly opened trials, providing a dense concentration of advanced care options for residents in the central region. However, individuals living outside the immediate metropolitan area still have opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research. New trials have opened their doors this month in several key municipalities across the state:

• Little Rock
• Fayetteville
• Fort Smith
• Springdale

Broad Eligibility and Healthy Volunteer Opportunities

Eligibility criteria for this month's new studies are heavily skewed toward adult and senior populations, ensuring that aging demographics can participate in medical advancement. Older adults have extensive options, with eight of the new trials specifically designing their protocols to include senior participants. One trial restricts participation exclusively to female patients, focusing on maternal health and nutrition, while none of the new trials launched this month restrict participation exclusively to men or focus on pediatric populations.

For those without a specific medical diagnosis, four of this month's newly launched trials are actively welcoming healthy volunteers. This brings the total number of open, recruiting trials for healthy participants across Arkansas to 50. These trials rely heavily on healthy individuals to establish crucial baseline data for future medical breakthroughs, making community participation essential for scientific progress.

As the spring research season advances, the Arkansas clinical trial landscape is positioned to expand its focus on targeted oncology therapies and metabolic interventions, while the integration of behavioral health pathways in justice-involved populations will likely shape the future of addiction recovery protocols.