The Landscape of Asthma Research in America
More than 25 million people in the United States live with asthma, and roughly 5 to 10 percent of them have severe, difficult-to-control forms of the disease. This persistent burden has fueled a steady expansion of asthma clinical trials across the country, with major pharmaceutical companies, university hospitals, and independent research networks all running studies simultaneously.
The American Lung Association operates its Airways Clinical Research Centers (ACRC) network across the country, with active sites in Arizona, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, and Vermont. These centers run studies that investigate everything from repurposed medications to novel biologics. For example, the TRIM study—based at Duke, Mount Sinai, Northwestern, the University of Arizona, and the Vermont Lung Center—is evaluating whether an existing drug can help patients whose asthma remains poorly controlled and who have an elevated BMI. This kind of pragmatic research, using medications already on the market for other conditions, is increasingly common in the asthma trial landscape.
At the same time, pharmaceutical companies are pushing forward with next-generation therapies. AstraZeneca's Breztri Aerosphere received approval in April 2026 as the first triple-combination inhaler for asthma in patients aged 12 and older, a decision built on Phase III KALOS and LOGOS trials. Eli Lilly is currently recruiting for its RENEW-Asthma study, a Phase 2 trial testing brenipatide across 121 locations, including sites in Arizona and Tennessee. These studies represent the broader shift toward targeted biologic therapies that address specific inflammatory pathways rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
What many patients do not realize is that asthma clinical trials exist across the full spectrum of disease severity. Mild, moderate, and severe asthma all have active studies looking for participants. The key is matching the right trial to the right patient at the right time.
What Kinds of Asthma Trials Are Out There
Not all clinical trials are the same, and understanding the differences can save time and reduce frustration when searching for a study.
| Trial Type | What It Studies | Typical Duration | Participant Profile | Key Consideration |
|---|
| Phase 1 | Safety and dosing in small groups | Weeks to months | Often healthy volunteers or mild asthma | Highest uncertainty, closest monitoring |
| Phase 2 | Efficacy and side effects in patients | Several months to a year | Specific asthma severity levels | Balances new treatment access with unknowns |
| Phase 3 | Large-scale effectiveness confirmation | One to several years | Broad asthma populations | Most common type found on ClinicalTrials.gov |
| Phase 4 | Post-approval long-term monitoring | Multiple years | Patients using the approved treatment | Lowest risk, treatment already approved |
| Observational | Natural disease progression | Varies widely | Broad eligibility | No experimental intervention given |
Interventional trials—where participants receive an investigational drug, device, or procedure—tend to draw the most attention. But observational studies, which track asthma patterns over time without changing treatment, can be easier to join and still contribute meaningfully to science. A patient in Phoenix might qualify for an observational study through the University of Arizona's research center, while someone in Chicago could find an interventional biologic trial at Northwestern.
The TAPER study, sponsored by AstraZeneca, takes an interesting approach: rather than testing a new drug, it examines whether patients with severe asthma who are already on tezepelumab can safely step down their background maintenance medications. This kind of de-escalation research addresses a real-world concern—patients want to know if they can eventually reduce their medication burden without losing control.
How to Find Trials and Determine Eligibility
ClinicalTrials.gov remains the central clearinghouse for asthma clinical trials in the United States. Operated by the National Library of Medicine, it lists thousands of asthma studies with detailed information about purpose, eligibility, locations, and contact information. The search function allows filtering by state, city, trial phase, and recruitment status, making it practical to find asthma clinical trials near me without wading through irrelevant listings.
Beyond the government database, several matching services have emerged. TrialSearch, for instance, maintains a roster of over 100 actively enrolling asthma studies and uses a screening process to connect patients with appropriate trials. The organization reports that 89 percent of participants said they would join another trial, a figure that speaks to the quality of the experience when matching is done well.
Eligibility criteria vary widely, but some patterns hold across most asthma clinical trials. Researchers typically require a confirmed asthma diagnosis from a physician, a certain level of symptom severity or frequency, and a stable treatment history. Many trials exclude people with other significant lung conditions like COPD, current smokers above a certain pack-year threshold, or those who have recently used specific medications that might interfere with results. Age requirements differ—some studies accept children as young as 6, while others focus exclusively on adults.
The NIOSH R21 WTC Asthma study, conducted through Mount Sinai in New York, illustrates how specific eligibility can be: it enrolls only World Trade Center responders with certified asthma who are on controller medications and have uncontrolled symptoms. This kind of precise targeting is typical of well-designed research and means that patients who do qualify often find the study highly relevant to their situation.
One participant who went through a clinical trial experience described it this way: "It's been an awesome experience; I am still in this 5-year study." That sentiment captures something important—many trials involve long-term relationships with research teams who provide careful monitoring that goes beyond what a typical clinic visit offers.
What Happens When You Join a Study
The day-to-day reality of participating in an asthma clinical trial can be more demanding than some people anticipate, but also more rewarding. Most interventional studies begin with a screening visit that includes breathing tests, blood work, and detailed medical history review. If enrolled, participants attend regular clinic visits—sometimes monthly, sometimes less frequently—where lung function is measured, symptoms are assessed through questionnaires, and any side effects are documented.
Many trials ask participants to keep daily asthma diaries, tracking peak flow readings, symptom scores, and rescue inhaler use. This data provides researchers with a granular picture of how the treatment performs between clinic visits. The TRIM study, for example, requires participants to fill out these diary cards throughout the six-month trial period.
The issue of compensation comes up frequently. While payment structures vary by study, participants generally receive compensation for their time and travel expenses. The amount depends on the length and intensity of the trial, the number of clinic visits required, and the policies of the sponsoring institution. Some trials cover all study-related medical care at no cost to the participant, including physical exams, laboratory tests, and the investigational treatment itself.
It is worth noting that participants can withdraw from a clinical trial at any time, for any reason. Consent is an ongoing process, not a one-time signature. Research teams are required to keep participants informed of any new findings that might affect their willingness to continue.
Regional Resources and Practical Next Steps
The American Lung Association's ACRC network provides one of the most accessible entry points for patients interested in asthma clinical trials. Each center maintains its own roster of active studies:
- University of Arizona Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center in Tucson runs studies focused on severe asthma and airway biology.
- Northwestern Airways Disease Center in Chicago conducts research spanning biologic therapies and asthma management strategies.
- Mount Sinai National Jewish Health Respiratory Institute in New York offers trials for a range of asthma subtypes, including occupational asthma.
- Duke Asthma Allergy Airway Center in North Carolina investigates both pediatric and adult asthma interventions.
- Vermont Lung Center in Colchester provides access to studies in a more rural setting, which matters for patients who cannot easily travel to major metropolitan areas.
For patients unsure where to start, speaking with a pulmonologist or allergist is the logical first step. These specialists often know about recruiting trials in their region and can help assess whether a particular study aligns with a patient's medical history. Online matching tools can supplement this process, but they work best when used alongside—not instead of—a conversation with a treating physician.
Reading through a study's informed consent document carefully, asking the research coordinator detailed questions about visit frequency and time commitment, and discussing the decision with family members are all practical steps that lead to a more informed choice. The goal is not to rush into a trial but to find one where the potential benefits and the logistical demands align with the patient's circumstances.
The Breztri approval and the ongoing biologic studies reflect a moment of genuine momentum in asthma research. For patients whose current treatment plan feels inadequate, the clinical trial landscape offers something that standard care cannot always provide: the possibility of accessing a different approach before it becomes widely available, while contributing to knowledge that may help millions of others breathe easier.
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