The Asthma Burden in the United States
More than 26 million Americans live with asthma, including roughly 22 million adults and over 4 million children. That translates to about 8.2% of the population. For many, the condition means more than occasional wheezing. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, the annual cost of asthma in the U.S. has been estimated at approximately $82 billion, driven by hospital stays, emergency visits, prescription medications, and missed workdays. Uncontrolled asthma does not just disrupt daily life; it quietly reshapes it.
What makes asthma particularly challenging is its uneven distribution. The CDC's 2024 Asthma Call-back Survey found that current asthma prevalence among adults ever diagnosed varies noticeably by state. Kansas reported rates near 80%, while California hovered closer to 59%. Geographic disparities, environmental triggers such as pollen and air pollution, and differences in access to specialty care all contribute to these gaps. For people whose asthma persists despite standard treatment, clinical trials have become a practical pathway to accessing emerging therapies that are not yet available at the local pharmacy.
The Shifting Frontier of Asthma Research
Asthma research has moved well beyond the days of simply tweaking inhaler dosages. One of the most significant developments in 2026 came in April, when the FDA approved Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide/glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate) as the first and only single-inhaler triple therapy for asthma in patients aged 12 and older. The approval, which was supported by the Phase III KALOS and LOGOS trials, marked a milestone for people who had been relying on dual-combination inhalers without adequate relief.
Biologics continue to dominate the research pipeline as well. A study known as GSK 206785 NIMBLE explored whether patients could switch to depemokimab, an ultra-long-acting biologic given just twice a year, and achieve outcomes comparable to medications that require injections every four or eight weeks. Early results shared this year suggested that the less frequent dosing schedule performed similarly, a finding that could meaningfully reduce the treatment burden for people with severe eosinophilic asthma. Meanwhile, the Phase IV PASSAGE study examined tezepelumab across diverse patient populations in the U.S., including Black and African American participants, adolescents, and individuals with a history of smoking—groups that have often been underrepresented in asthma research.
A Closer Look at Selected US Asthma Trials
The table below provides a snapshot of several clinical trials currently recruiting or recently completed across the United States, covering different treatment approaches and patient populations.
| Trial Name / Sponsor | Approach | Phase | Duration | Typical Participant Profile |
|---|
| Brenipatide Study (Eli Lilly) | Injectable peptide vs. placebo | Phase II | ~65 weeks | Adults with moderate-to-severe uncontrolled asthma |
| GB-0895 SOLAIRIA-2 (Generate Biomedicines) | Adjunctive biologic therapy | Phase II | ~52 weeks | Adults and adolescents with severe asthma uncontrolled on ICS |
| TRIM (American Lung Association ACRC) | Oral roflumilast for poorly controlled asthma | Phase II/III | Varies by site | Adults 18+ with elevated BMI and poorly controlled asthma |
| Pfizer Biologic Trial (NCT06977581) | Investigational biologic injection | Phase II | ~38 weeks (10 visits) | Adults with asthma, 5 in 7 chance of receiving study medicine |
| PASSAGE (AstraZeneca) | Tezepelumab real-world study | Phase IV | 52 weeks | Patients 12+ with severe uncontrolled asthma, including underrepresented groups |
Each of these studies comes with its own eligibility criteria. Common requirements include being at least 18 years old (some accept adolescents 12 and up), having a physician-confirmed asthma diagnosis, and currently using controller medications with persistent symptoms. Exclusion criteria vary but often include a diagnosis of COPD, a smoking history exceeding a certain threshold, or recent use of systemic corticosteroids. The TRIM trial, for instance, specifically recruits from five clinical centers—Duke, Mount Sinai, Northwestern, University of Arizona, and the University of Vermont—making it accessible to patients in the Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast.
What It Feels Like to Walk Through the Door
For many people, the idea of joining a clinical trial stirs up uncertainty. Emma Wilson, a 34-year-old nurse who has lived with asthma since age 15, described being hospitalized most months before enrolling in the NIMBLE trial. "I had been in high dependency and intensive care," she recalled. The trial experience gave her access to a treatment schedule that ultimately required injections only twice a year rather than every month. Her story reflects a broader pattern: clinical trials often attract people who have exhausted standard options and are looking for something beyond the next prescription refill.
The practical experience of participating is generally more structured than patients expect. Most trials begin with a screening visit where the research team reviews medical history, performs lung function tests such as spirometry, and confirms eligibility. Once enrolled, participants attend regular study visits—often monthly at first, then tapering to less frequent check-ins. During these visits, they may receive the study medication or placebo, undergo pulmonary function testing, and complete symptom questionnaires. The Pfizer asthma trial, for example, involves about 10 visits over 38 weeks and includes a 20-week follow-up period after the treatment phase ends.
Study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants. Many trials also offer compensation for time and travel, though the amount varies by study length and visit frequency. One participant from a research center in Texas put it simply: "The whole process was easier than I expected. Free check-ups, real conversations, and compensation that respected my time."
How to Find a Trial That Fits
ClinicalTrials.gov remains the most comprehensive registry of studies recruiting in the United States. A search for "asthma" and "recruiting" in the U.S. returns hundreds of results. Narrowing your search by city, state, or specific terms like "severe asthma biologic" or "moderate asthma oral medication" can help surface studies that match your situation.
The American Lung Association's Airways Clinical Research Centers (ACRC) network is another valuable resource. With sites in Arizona, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, and Vermont, among others, the ACRC focuses on patient-centered asthma research and frequently runs trials like TRIM that are designed with real-world clinical questions in mind.
Academic medical centers and large health systems, including Duke, Mount Sinai, Northwestern, and the University of Arizona, also maintain their own clinical trial directories. These institutions often have dedicated research coordinators who can walk potential participants through the enrollment process over the phone. Reaching out directly to a coordinator—most trial listings include a phone number or email—tends to yield faster answers than submitting a general inquiry form.
Before committing, it is worth asking the study team a few key questions: What is the time commitment, including travel? Will I need to stop any current medications? What happens after the trial ends? Is there a chance I will receive a placebo, and if so, for how long? The answers should be clear and specific. If they are not, that is a signal to ask again or look elsewhere.
Some people approach clinical trials as a last resort. Others see them as a way to contribute to science while potentially gaining early access to treatments that could work better than anything currently on the market. Either perspective is valid—and both are welcome in the research community.
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