Delaware Clinical Trials Report — July 2026

Delaware residents considering a clinical trial should act promptly if they match one of the 10 studies expected to close within the next 90 days. Three of those studies accept healthy volunteers, making the near-term opportunity relevant not only to patients but also to adults without a diagnosed condition. Delaware has 285 recruiting trials across 14 cities and 114 research sites, but only 1 new trial opened in July, down from 3 in May.

Closing dates make July’s opportunities time-sensitive

The closing-soon studies cover a wide range of health topics rather than one dominant disease area. People being treated for cancer may find studies involving advanced solid tumors, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, and estrogen-receptor/progesterone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Other trials address cardiovascular risk, blindness, aging, circadian rhythm, and diet-related questions in healthy participants.

• Advanced solid tumor, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, and ER/PR-positive breast cancer — 1 closing-soon trial each
• Aging, blindness, cardiovascular risk factor, and circadian rhythm — 1 each
• Diet and healthy participants — 1 each

The three closing studies that accept healthy volunteers are especially urgent because screening, consent, and scheduling can take time before enrollment is complete. Adults interested in contributing to diet, aging, or other health research should check the study’s current status now rather than waiting until the projected deadline. Closing dates can change, and a trial may stop screening before its listed date.

Newark adds a behavioral opportunity for autistic youth

July brought one new Delaware study, sponsored by the University of Delaware and classified as behavioral research. The study is based in Newark and includes autistic youth. Its design includes a Nintendo exergaming group and a no-intervention control group, offering an opportunity for families interested in research involving movement, gaming, and behavioral outcomes rather than an experimental drug.

• University of Delaware behavioral study in Newark — research involving autistic youth, a Nintendo exergaming group, and a no-intervention control group

No National Clinical Trial identifier was provided in this month’s data for the new study. Prospective participants should confirm the exact age range, autism-related eligibility requirements, visit schedule, and whether the Newark location is actively screening before applying. Because this is the only new Delaware opening in July, families who may qualify should move quickly.

The monthly pattern shows a clear slowdown in new openings: 5 trials opened in February, 3 in March, 5 in April, 5 in May, 3 in June, and 1 in July. This does not reduce the number of trials already recruiting, but it does make each new local opportunity more significant for people searching for a close match.

No major Phase 2 or Phase 3 opening this month

July did not produce a new Phase 2 or Phase 3 drug trial from a major pharmaceutical sponsor, and none of the new studies plans to enroll more than 200 participants. The month’s activity is therefore centered on a focused, locally based behavioral study rather than a large medication program.

That distinction may matter to people seeking a drug trial, particularly those with advanced cancer or other serious conditions. The broader pool of 285 recruiting studies may still include later-phase and industry-sponsored options, but they are not represented among this month’s new Delaware openings. Searchers should look beyond July’s new-study list and review the full statewide recruiting inventory.

Where Delaware research is available

Newark is the only city identified with a July opening. Statewide, recruiting research is spread across 14 cities and 114 sites, giving Delaware residents access to a broader network than the single new opening suggests. The available data do not rank the remaining cities or show whether most sites are concentrated in one metropolitan area.

People should search by both city and travel distance. A study may list several sites statewide while actively enrolling at only one location, and the nearest site may have different eligibility rules or appointment availability. Residents outside Newark should also check the existing recruiting studies rather than limiting their search to trials opened during July.

Who should act now?

Families with autistic children or adolescents should review the University of Delaware study first, since it is the only new opening and the only July trial specifically identified as including children. The eligibility data show 1 new trial including children, with no new female-only or male-only studies and no new trial specifically including older adults.

Healthy adults have 29 recruiting opportunities statewide overall, although none of the July opening accepts healthy volunteers. Three healthy-volunteer studies are among the trials closing within 90 days. Adults who do not have a medical condition should therefore focus on the closing-soon listings as well as the broader pool of 29 studies, confirming compensation, visit requirements, screening procedures, and eligibility directly with each research team.

Patients with breast, colorectal, endometrial, or advanced solid-tumor cancers should also review the closing-soon studies without delay. The same applies to people interested in blindness, cardiovascular risk, circadian rhythm, aging, or diet research. A study’s projected end date is not a guarantee of continued enrollment, so contacting the site early is the most practical way to determine whether screening remains open.

Delaware’s trial pipeline may remain selective through the summer: one new opening followed several months of higher activity, while ten studies approach their projected closing window. Residents who identify a potential match now will be better positioned to complete screening before enrollment decisions change in the months ahead.