CHARLOTTE, NC
Obesity Clinical Trials
13 paid obesity and weight-loss trials are enrolling near Charlotte right now. Free labs, monitoring, and study medicine. No insurance needed. Compensation is provided for eligible participants.
13
Active Studies
9
Research Sites
+/- $100
Per Visit
New here? Read how this page works
Every study below is open near Charlotte right now. Each card tells you what the study is testing, who it is looking for, and what it pays. So here is the simplest way to work through them.
- Read the study cards below. Each one is a real study, and each one is enrolling today.
- Open "Who it's for, and what to expect." Inside, you will find the rules for joining. Also, you will see how often you would visit and what happens at each visit.
- Tap "Check eligibility" on the study that fits you best. Not sure which one? Then use the button at the top of the page instead, and we will check you against all 13 at once.
- We send you your results. Along with them, you get the name and number of the clinic running each study you may fit. Finally, you call the clinic yourself if you want to join.
Of course, checking never signs you up for anything. You are only seeing where you might fit.
The 13 Studies Enrolling Near Charlotte Right Now
Every one of them is open today. So check your eligibility, or read the full record on ClinicalTrials.gov.
A Daily Pill for Weight (ACCOMPLISH-1)
Structure Therapeutics / Drug
Most new weight drugs are shots. This one is a pill you take once a day.
Est. about $100 per visit. Ask the site for the total number of visits.
Check eligibility →More details
Why researchers are excited: a daily pill would remove the needle, the cold storage, and much of the cost that keeps these drugs out of reach.
Who this study is looking for
- Adults 18 to 79
- Also, BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 and higher with a weight related condition
- Besides that, at least one diet attempt that did not work
- Finally, comfortable taking a pill every day
Probably not a fit if: you have diabetes of any type, or you have had weight loss surgery. The ACCOMPLISH-2 study below is built for people with type 2 diabetes.
- Placebo group: Some people get a placebo instead of the drug. However, the exact odds are not published on the study record. So ask the clinic before you agree to anything.
- How long: About 76 weeks, so roughly a year and a half.
- Clinic visits: Not published on the public record. Generally, studies this long start monthly, then space out.
- Phone calls: Also not published. Most studies this long add short check in calls between visits.
- Most invasive part: Blood draws and body measurements. But no surgery, and no overnight stays.
- Setting: Outpatient.
- Where it runs: ACCOMPLISH-1 Research Site, Charlotte NC 28210.
- Known side effects: In the earlier phase 2 study, about 1 in 10 people stopped because of side effects. Notably, nausea was the most common complaint.
- Full study record: View on ClinicalTrials.gov →
The Same Daily Pill, for People With Type 2 Diabetes (ACCOMPLISH-2)
Structure Therapeutics / Drug
Same once a day pill as the study above. But this one is for people who also have type 2 diabetes.
Est. about $100 per visit. Ask the site for the total number of visits.
Check eligibility →More details
Why researchers are excited: if it works, it would treat weight and blood sugar with one pill instead of two separate prescriptions.
Who this study is looking for
- Adults 18 to 79
- Also, BMI of 27 or higher
- Besides that, type 2 diabetes with an A1C between 6.5 and 10
- Finally, comfortable taking a pill every day
Probably not a fit if: you have type 1 diabetes, or you have had a severe low blood sugar episode in the last 6 months.
- Placebo group: Some people get a placebo. However, the odds are not published on the study record, so ask the clinic first.
- How long: About 76 weeks.
- Clinic visits: Not published. But diabetes studies generally check A1C every 3 months at minimum.
- Phone calls: Also not published. But studies this size often add check in calls.
- Most invasive part: Blood draws, including A1C testing. Still, no surgery and no overnight stays.
- Setting: Outpatient.
- Where it runs: ACCOMPLISH-2 Research Site, Charlotte NC 28210.
- Worth knowing: you are not asked to stop your diabetes medicine to join. Instead, the study drug is tested alongside it.
- Full study record: View on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Two New Weight Drugs, Alone or Together (SOLIS-1)
Pfizer / Drug
Pfizer is testing two new weight drugs, alone and together. So more people here get a real drug instead of a placebo.
Est. $400 or so, across about 4 visits.
Check eligibility →More details
Why researchers are excited: testing drugs alone and combined in one study finds the right pairing years faster than running separate trials.
Who this study is looking for
- Adults 18 and older
- Also, BMI between 30 and 50
- Besides that, A BMI of 27 to 30 also counts if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, or sleep apnea
- Finally, stable weight for the last 3 months
Probably not a fit if: you have diabetes, or you have taken a weight loss medication in the last 12 weeks.
- Placebo group: There is a placebo group. But because several active arms are being tested at once, more people receive an active drug than in a standard study.
- How long: About 48 weeks of treatment, then follow up to week 70.
- Clinic visits: Not published on the public record. So ask the clinic when you call.
- Phone calls: Also not published. But studies this size often add check in calls.
- Most invasive part: Blood draws and body measurements. Also, the drugs are given by injection under the skin.
- Setting: Outpatient.
- Where it runs: DelRicht Research, Charlotte NC 28210 and Monroe Biomedical Research, Monroe NC 28112.
- Heads up: the 12 week washout is strict. So if you are on Wegovy, Zepbound, or a compounded peptide today, you would need to be off it for 12 weeks first.
- Full study record: View on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Eloralintide, a Weekly Shot That Is Not a GLP-1 (ENLIGHTEN-1)
Eli Lilly / Drug
A weekly shot that works on a different hormone than Wegovy or Zepbound. As a result, it seems to cause less nausea.
Est. about $100 per visit. Ask the site for the total number of visits.
Check eligibility →More details
Why researchers are excited: it may deliver GLP-1 level weight loss with noticeably less nausea, which is the main reason people quit these drugs.
Who this study is looking for
- Adults 18 and older
- Also, BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 and higher with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, or heart disease
- Besides that, weight stable within 5 percent for 90 days
- Finally, at least one diet attempt that did not work
Probably not a fit if: you have diabetes, or you have taken any weight loss medicine in the last 90 days.
- Placebo group: Some people get a placebo. However, the ratio is not published on the study record.
- How long: About 75 weeks. Notably, people with prediabetes continue for 2 more years after that.
- Clinic visits: Not published on the public record. So ask the clinic when you call.
- Phone calls: Also not published. But studies this size often add check in calls.
- Most invasive part: Blood draws, plus a weekly shot you give yourself under the skin.
- Setting: Outpatient.
- Where it runs: Monroe Biomedical Research, Monroe NC 28112.
- What experts say:
- “[Eloralintide] produced clinically meaningful dose-dependent reductions in weight over 48 weeks among adults with overweight and obesity with an acceptable tolerability profile, particularly when you use dose escalation.” Harold E. Bays, MD, Louisville Metabolic and Atherosclerosis Research Center (Healio)
- “The dose escalation that appeared to be most favorable, at least in the context of what we studied, would be the 3 mg, 6 mg, 9 mg pathway.” Harold E. Bays, MD, on why how you ramp up the dose matters (Healio)
- Full study record: View on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Two Lilly Drugs Combined (Macupatide and Eloralintide)
Eli Lilly / Drug
This study pairs two new Lilly drugs to see if they do more together. It is an earlier study, so the group is small.
Est. about $100 per visit. Ask the site for the total number of visits.
Check eligibility →More details
Why researchers are excited: combining two hormone pathways is how the field expects to push past what any single drug can do alone.
Who this study is looking for
- Adults 18 to 75
- Also, BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 and higher with a weight related condition
- Besides that, weight stable for 3 months
Probably not a fit if: you have diabetes, a history of pancreatitis, a slow heart rate, or any past suicide attempt.
- Placebo group: There is a placebo group. But the ratio is not published on the study record.
- How long: About 64 weeks in total.
- Clinic visits: Not published on the public record. So ask the clinic when you call.
- Phone calls: Also not published. But studies this size often add check in calls.
- Most invasive part: Blood draws, plus injections under the skin. Also, your heart rate is checked closely because of the exclusion above.
- Setting: Outpatient.
- Where it runs: Monroe Biomedical Research, Monroe NC 28112.
- Full study record: View on ClinicalTrials.gov →
ERX1000, an Older Idea Tried a New Way
ERX Pharmaceuticals / Drug
A pill that tries to make your brain notice the signal that says you are full. Only 80 people are joining nationwide.
Est. about $100 per visit. Ask the site for the total number of visits.
Check eligibility →More details
Why researchers are excited: it targets leptin resistance, which is a completely separate pathway from every approved weight drug today.
Who this study is looking for
- Adults 18 to 60
- Also, BMI above 30 and below 50
- Besides that, body weight under 350 pounds, because of the scanner limit
- Finally, stable weight and diet for 3 months
Probably not a fit if: you have diabetes, or you have taken any weight loss drug in the last 3 months, or you have had weight loss surgery.
- Placebo group: Some people get a placebo. But the ratio is not published on the study record.
- How long: 24 weeks of treatment, and 28 weeks in total.
- Clinic visits: Not published on the public record. So ask the clinic when you call.
- Phone calls: Also not published. But studies this size often add check in calls.
- Most invasive part: A DXA body scan, plus heart tracings and fasting blood draws. Still, the drug is a pill, so there are no injections.
- Setting: Outpatient.
- Where it runs: Monroe Biomedical Research, Monroe NC 28112.
- Worth knowing: only 80 people are enrolling nationwide. So spots go quickly.
- Full study record: View on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Cagrilintide, for People Who Could Not Tolerate a GLP-1
Novo Nordisk / Drug
Built for people who tried a shot like Wegovy and quit because it made them sick. This one works a different way, so it usually goes easier on the stomach.
Est. about $100 per visit. Ask the site for the total number of visits.
Check eligibility →More details
Why researchers are excited: it is one of the few studies designed for people who already tried a GLP-1 and could not stay on it.
Who this study is looking for
- Adults 18 and older
- Also, BMI of 30 or higher
- Besides that, A documented history of stopping a GLP-1 drug because of stomach or gut side effects
- Finally, not suitable to restart a GLP-1 drug
Probably not a fit if: you have used a GLP-1 or any weight medicine in the last 8 weeks, or you have diabetes.
- Placebo group: There is a matching placebo group. However, the ratio is not published on the study record.
- How long: About 8 months.
- Clinic visits: Not published on the public record. So ask the clinic when you call.
- Phone calls: Also not published. But studies this size often add check in calls.
- Most invasive part: Blood draws, plus an injection under the skin.
- Setting: Outpatient.
- Where it runs: Monroe Biomedical Research, Monroe NC 28112.
- What experts say:
- “These data highlight the exciting potential of cagrilintide to offer an alternative approach for people to lose weight, achieve health-related outcomes and manage their obesity, including a favorable tolerability profile” Timothy Garvey, MD, University of Alabama at Birmingham (BioSpace)
- Full study record: View on ClinicalTrials.gov →
A Monthly Shot for People With Heart Disease (MARITIME-CV)
Amgen / Drug
A shot given about once a month, for people who already had a heart attack or a stroke. It asks whether losing weight helps stop the next one.
Est. about $100 per visit. Ask the site for the total number of visits.
Check eligibility →More details
Why researchers are excited: it is one of the first studies asking whether a weight drug actually prevents a second heart attack, not just moves the scale.
Who this study is looking for
- Adults 45 and older
- Also, BMI of 27 or higher
- Besides that, A past heart attack, a past stroke, or peripheral artery disease with symptoms
- Finally, type 2 diabetes is allowed
Probably not a fit if: you had a heart attack, stroke, or heart surgery in the last 60 days, or you have taken a GLP-1 in the last 90 days.
- Placebo group: About half of people get a placebo. But everyone stays on their regular heart medicines throughout.
- How long: Several years. It runs until enough heart events are recorded, and pay continues the whole time.
- Clinic visits: Not published on the public record. So ask the clinic when you call.
- Phone calls: Also not published. But studies this size often add check in calls.
- Most invasive part: Blood draws, plus an injection. Still, no surgery and no overnight stays.
- Setting: Outpatient.
- Where it runs: Novant Health Heart and Vascular Institute, Charlotte NC 28204 and Monroe Biomedical Research, Monroe NC 28112.
- What experts say:
- “These data demonstrate the potential for once monthly or less frequent dosing and are particularly encouraging as we seek sustainable, long-term treatments for people living with obesity, with and without Type 2 diabetes.” Ania Jastreboff, MD, PhD, Yale School of Medicine (Amgen)
- “What's unusual is this substudy arm used a nausea and vomiting questionnaire developed for patients getting chemotherapy. We want more people to be able to tolerate these drugs.” Donna H. Ryan, MD, Pennington Biomedical Research Center (ADA Meeting News)
- Full study record: View on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Sleep Apnea and Weight, Without a CPAP (MARITIME-OSA-2)
Amgen / Drug
For people with sleep apnea who do not use a CPAP machine. It tests whether a weight shot helps you breathe better at night.
Est. about $100 per visit. Ask the site for the total number of visits.
Check eligibility →More details
Why researchers are excited: if weight loss alone can treat sleep apnea, thousands of people who never tolerated a CPAP get a second option.
Who this study is looking for
- Adults 18 and older
- Also, BMI of 27 or higher
- Besides that, A sleep study showing 15 or more breathing events per hour
- Finally, no CPAP use for at least 4 weeks, and no plan to start one
Probably not a fit if: you have had airway surgery for apnea, or most of your apnea events are central rather than obstructive.
- Placebo group: There is a placebo group. However, the ratio is not published on the study record.
- How long: 52 weeks of treatment, then safety follow up to week 100.
- Clinic visits: Not published on the public record. So ask the clinic when you call.
- Phone calls: Also not published. But studies this size often add check in calls.
- Most invasive part: An overnight sleep study in a lab, at the start and again later. Also, blood draws and a monthly injection.
- Setting: Outpatient.
- Where it runs: Monroe Biomedical Research, Monroe NC 28112.
- Known side effects: in earlier studies of this drug, vomiting was common and depended heavily on how slowly the dose was increased.
- Full study record: View on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Sleep Apnea and Weight, While You Stay on CPAP (MARITIME-OSA-1)
Amgen / Drug
For people who use a CPAP machine and plan to keep using it. You stay on your machine and add the weight shot on top.
Est. about $100 per visit. Ask the site for the total number of visits.
Check eligibility →More details
Why researchers are excited: most apnea research studies the machine or the drug. Notably, this one studies both together.
Who this study is looking for
- Adults 18 and older
- Also, BMI of 27 or higher
- Besides that, A sleep study showing 15 or more breathing events per hour
- Finally, on CPAP for at least 3 months, and planning to continue
Probably not a fit if: you cannot stop your CPAP for 7 days before the sleep testing. Specifically, some jobs and living situations make that impossible.
- Placebo group: There is a placebo group. But the ratio is not published on the study record.
- How long: 52 weeks of treatment, then safety follow up to week 100.
- Clinic visits: Not published on the public record. So ask the clinic when you call.
- Phone calls: Also not published. But studies this size often add check in calls.
- Most invasive part: An overnight sleep study, which requires stopping your CPAP for 7 days beforehand. On top of that, blood draws and a monthly injection.
- Setting: Outpatient.
- Where it runs: Monroe Biomedical Research, Monroe NC 28112.
- Full study record: View on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Weight and a Stiff Heart (Heart Failure Study)
Novo Nordisk / Drug
For people whose heart pumps fine but cannot relax properly. Losing weight is one of the few things that helps this kind of heart failure.
Est. about $100 per visit. Ask the site for the total number of visits.
Check eligibility →More details
Why researchers are excited: for this type of heart failure, treating the weight may be the treatment. Few drugs have ever helped it.
Who this study is looking for
- Adults with heart failure where the heart pumps normally or nearly normally
- Also, obesity alongside the heart failure
- Besides that, full criteria are not published in detail, so the clinic confirms them with you
Probably not a fit if: your heart failure is the type where the pumping strength is severely reduced. However, the clinic checks this with an echo.
- Placebo group: There is a placebo group. But the ratio is not published on the study record.
- How long: Started in 2026, and it runs into 2029.
- Clinic visits: Not published on the public record. So ask the clinic when you call.
- Phone calls: Also not published. But studies this size often add check in calls.
- Most invasive part: Blood draws, heart imaging, and an injection under the skin.
- Setting: Outpatient.
- Where it runs: Hawthorne Health NC, Concord NC 28025 and Piedmont Research Partners, Fort Mill SC 29707.
- Closest sites: this is the only study on this page running in Concord and Fort Mill.
- Full study record: View on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Tirzepatide Added to Psoriasis Treatment (AMPLIFY-PsO)
Eli Lilly / Drug
Adds Zepbound on top of the psoriasis medicine you already take. Everybody gets the real drug, so there is no placebo.
Est. about $100 per visit. Ask the site for the total number of visits.
Check eligibility →More details
Why researchers are excited: everybody gets the active drug. Also, it is a rare look at treating the weight and the skin disease at the same time.
Who this study is looking for
- Adults 18 and older
- Also, moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
- Besides that, BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 and higher with a weight related condition
- Finally, already taking ixekizumab for about 3 months
Probably not a fit if: you have ever taken tirzepatide or any GLP-1 drug before, or you have a family history of medullary thyroid cancer.
- Placebo group: No placebo. So every person who joins gets the active drug.
- How long: 12 months.
- Clinic visits: Not published on the public record. So ask the clinic when you call.
- Phone calls: Also not published. But studies this size often add check in calls.
- Most invasive part: Blood draws, plus a weekly shot you give yourself.
- Setting: Outpatient.
- Where it runs: Onsite Clinical Solutions, Huntersville NC 28078.
- What experts say:
- “If you're not excited, you might want to check your pulse.” Jamy D. Ard, MD, Wake Forest School of Medicine, on the tirzepatide weight results in 2022 (TCTMD)
- “Does this really just have a great effect when you're taking it, or does it help reset the metabolic thermostat such that they now will be in a better place to maintain a healthy weight?” Benjamin M. Scirica, MD, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 2022 (TCTMD)
- Full study record: View on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Tirzepatide Added to Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment (AMPLIFY-PsA)
Eli Lilly / Drug
Adds Zepbound on top of the arthritis medicine you already take. Again, everybody gets the real drug for a full year.
Est. about $100 per visit. Ask the site for the total number of visits.
Check eligibility →More details
Why researchers are excited: joint pain and weight pull on each other. Treating both at once is rarely studied directly.
Who this study is looking for
- Adults 18 and older
- Also, active psoriatic arthritis
- Besides that, BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 and higher with a weight related condition
- Finally, already taking ixekizumab for about 3 months
Probably not a fit if: you have ever taken tirzepatide or any GLP-1 drug, or you have a history of pancreatitis.
- Placebo group: No placebo. So everyone who joins gets the active drug.
- How long: 12 months.
- Clinic visits: Not published on the public record. So ask the clinic when you call.
- Phone calls: Also not published. But studies this size often add check in calls.
- Most invasive part: Blood draws, plus a weekly shot under the skin.
- Setting: Outpatient.
- Where it runs: Onsite Clinical Solutions, Salisbury NC 28144.
- Location note: this one runs in Salisbury, which is north of Charlotte off I-85.
- What experts say:
- “All three doses of tirzepatide demonstrated substantial, clinically meaningful, and sustained bodyweight reduction compared to placebo.” Ania M. Jastreboff, MD, PhD, Yale University School of Medicine, 2022 (TCTMD)
- “I'm still getting accustomed to using the therapy in these patients, because I'm a little concerned about muscle mass [and bone density] loss.” Michael Blaha, MD, Johns Hopkins University (TCTMD)
- Full study record: View on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Not sure which one fits you?
First, answer a few quick health questions. Then we check your answers against all 13 studies for you. No account, no paperwork.
See if I may fit one of these studies →What Is Actually Being Tested for Obesity Right Now
Five different approaches are in trials near Charlotte today. Here is what separates them.
Aleniglipron: The GLP-1 You Swallow
Every GLP-1 drug people talk about today is a shot. Aleniglipron is a pill instead, taken once a day. It reaches the same target, but it is built as a small molecule rather than a protein. As a result, it survives your stomach. In its phase 2 study, about 1 in 10 people stopped because of side effects, and nausea was the most common reason. Still, a pill changes who can realistically stay on treatment.
Eloralintide: The Weekly Shot That Skips GLP-1 Entirely
Eloralintide copies amylin, a different fullness hormone. Because it avoids the GLP-1 pathway, the stomach side effects appear to be milder. In the phase 2 study, the highest dose produced about 20 percent weight loss over 48 weeks. That is in the same range as the leading shots. However, phase 2 results are early, and phase 3 is still running.
Maridebart Cafraglutide: One Shot a Month
Most weight shots are weekly. This one is designed for monthly dosing, or even less often. For anyone who dreads a weekly needle, that is a meaningful difference. But tolerability has been the open question. In earlier studies, vomiting rates ran high, and the sponsor adjusted how slowly the dose ramps up before starting phase 3.
Cagrilintide: Built for the People Who Quit
A large share of people who start a GLP-1 stop within a year, and nausea is the usual reason. Cagrilintide takes the amylin route instead. In its phase 3 study, it produced about 11.8 percent weight loss over 68 weeks, and only about 1 percent of people stopped because of side effects. That discontinuation number is the striking part, not the weight number.
ERX1000: Making the Brain Listen Again
Leptin is the hormone that tells your brain you have eaten enough. In obesity, the brain often stops responding to it. ERX1000 is an oral drug aimed at restoring that sensitivity. This is early work, and only 80 people are enrolling nationwide. Still, it is a genuinely different idea from everything else on this page.
The Part Nobody Advertises: Cost and Coverage
In 2025, only 16 percent of employers with 200 to 999 workers covered GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. Among the largest employers, it was 43 percent. On top of that, 88 percent of people who do have coverage face some kind of restriction. Meanwhile, employers declining coverage rose from 52 to 57 percent in a single year. In a clinical trial, the study drug is provided at no cost. That is not a small detail. Rather, for many people it is the whole difference.
Obesity Help Near Charlotte NC
If a study is not the right fit, there are still real options near Charlotte. Atrium Health and Novant Health both run weight management programs across the metro. Also, both systems have bariatric surgery programs if that is a road you want to explore. Your primary care doctor can refer you to either. Notably, some employer plans cover a medically supervised weight program even when they will not cover the drugs. So it is worth asking specifically about that.
Research Sites Near Charlotte
Not all of them run obesity studies today. But sites add new studies all the time. So it is worth knowing what sits near you.
Atrium Health
Multiple Charlotte locations / 161+ active studies
Crohn’s, Heart Failure, COPD, Dementia, Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension
Charlotte’s biggest health system. It is tied to Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Also, it runs far more trials than anyone else nearby.
Visit Website →
American Health Research Network
Ballantyne, NC 28277 / 25 to 30+ active studies
Asthma, COPD, Chronic Cough, Type 2 Diabetes
Led by Dr. Selwyn Spangenthal. It is the biggest private lung research group in Charlotte. Specifically, it has 4 offices: Charlotte, Rock Hill, Lake Norman, and Charleston.
Visit Website →
Monroe Biomedical Research
Monroe, NC / 17+ active studies
Asthma, COPD, Hypertension, Obesity, Ulcerative Colitis
Notably, one of the 5 busiest research sites in the country. Its 6,300 sq ft space can host overnight stays. It is also an SCRS Global Impact Partner.
Visit Website →
Clinical Research of Gastonia
Gastonia, NC / 11+ active studies
Asthma, COPD, Chronic Cough, Idiopathic Hypersomnia
Led by Dr. Anup Banerjee. Its 3,500 sq ft space sits next to CaroMont Regional Medical Center. Also, it has been running for over 10 years.
Visit Website →
OnSite Clinical Solutions
Ballantyne, NC 28277 / 10+ active studies
Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s, COPD, Heart Failure, Atopic Dermatitis
It works with Charlotte doctors in heart, gut, skin, nerve, and joint care. Besides, it runs studies from Phase I through Phase IV.
Visit Website →
Flourish Research
Matthews, NC 28105 / 4+ active studies
Alzheimer’s Disease, Early Alzheimer’s, Alzheimer’s-Related Psychosis
Led by Dr. M. Reza Bolouri. He has 20+ years in Alzheimer’s research. The site is an Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence. In fact, its network has finished 5,500+ trials.
Visit Website →
New Hope Clinical Research
SouthPark, NC 28211 / 4+ active studies
Major Depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder
Led by Dr. Kurian Abraham. It runs Phase I through IV studies and has 30 beds for overnight stays. Its last FDA audit came back clean. Also, it has finished 200+ brain studies.
Visit Website →
Queen City Clinical Research
SouthPark, NC 28211 / 2+ active studies
Chronic Pain, Chronic Migraine, Osteoarthritis
Led by Dr. Leonardo Kapural, a former Cleveland Clinic professor. Notably, he has written 200+ journal articles. On top of that, many call this the biggest pain research site in the country.
Visit Website →
Novant Health
Multiple Charlotte locations / Several active studies
Cardiovascular Disease, Obesity, Hypertension
One of the biggest health systems in the Carolinas. Its Heart and Vascular Institute runs heart studies and sees a lot of patients.
Visit Website →
DLVSC
4 Charlotte-area offices / 1+ active studies
Eczema, Psoriasis, Rosacea
Led by Dr. Gilly Munavalli. This award-winning skin practice owns 50+ FDA-approved lasers and devices. Also, it has its own research team.
Visit Website →
DelRicht Research
South Charlotte, NC 28210 / 1+ active studies
Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar Depression
Part of a national network of mental health research sites. Currently, it runs the azetukalner bipolar depression trial in Charlotte. Previously, it ran other mental health studies.
Visit Website →
TMS of the Carolinas
South Charlotte, NC 28210 / 1+ active studies
Major Depression, Treatment-Resistant Depression
A specialty site for brain stimulation care. It runs the fast TMS study that packs 6 weeks into 2.
Visit Website →What to Expect in an Obesity Trial
New to studies? Here is how one works, step by step.
01
Prescreening
First comes a short phone call or online form. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes. The staff check if you might qualify. Then, if you do, they book your first visit.
02
Screening Visit
Next you visit the clinic. They weigh and measure you, draw blood, and check your heart. Also, they go through the consent form line by line. You can still say no at this point.
03
Treatment Period
Then the study itself begins. You take the drug or the placebo on the schedule you agreed to. Meanwhile, the clinic tracks your weight, your labs, and any side effects.
04
Follow-Up
Finally, there is a check-in period after treatment ends. The clinic makes sure you are doing well. Also, they help you figure out what comes next with your own doctor.
Obesity Clinical Trial FAQs
Real answers about obesity clinical trials in Charlotte NC.
How much do obesity clinical trials pay in Charlotte?
Most studies near Charlotte pay around $100 per visit for your time and travel. So a longer study with more visits adds up to more. However, the exact amount depends on the study, and the research clinic tells you the full schedule before you agree to anything. In short, you are compensated for your time, not paid to take a risk.
Will I have to stop the weight loss medicine I am on now?
Usually yes, and this catches people off guard. Most of the drug studies on this page require you to be off any weight loss medication for 8 to 12 weeks before you start. Specifically, that includes Wegovy, Zepbound, Saxenda, and compounded peptides. But the two tirzepatide studies work differently, because those add the drug to a treatment you already take. So tell the clinic exactly what you are on.
What is BMI, and what number do I need?
BMI is a rough calculation from your height and weight. Most studies here want a BMI of 30 or higher. However, several accept a BMI of 27 if you also have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, or heart disease. BMI is an imperfect measure, and researchers know that. Still, it is what these studies use to set a starting line.
I feel fine. Why would I join a study?
That is exactly the point at which obesity is easiest to treat. Extra weight does not hurt at first, and there is no symptom to warn you. Meanwhile, obesity is linked to as many as half of all new type 2 diabetes cases in the country each year. So feeling fine is not the same as being in the clear. In fact, feeling fine is when you have the most to gain.
Do I need insurance to join?
No. None of the studies on this page require insurance. The study drug and the study visits are provided at no cost to you. That matters more than it used to, because only 16 percent of mid sized employers covered GLP-1 drugs for weight loss in 2025. So for many people, a trial is the only route to these medicines at all.
How long do these studies last?
It varies a lot. The shortest one here runs about 28 weeks. Meanwhile, the two aleniglipron studies run about 76 weeks, and the heart disease study runs several years. Generally, the longer studies pay across the whole period. So check the length before you commit, because it is a real time investment.
Will I get a placebo?
Sometimes. Most of the drug studies here include a placebo group. However, two of them do not. The two tirzepatide studies give every participant the active drug. For the rest, the exact odds are not published on the public study record. So ask the clinic directly, because they can tell you before you sign the consent form.
What is the newest obesity treatment being tested?
Right now the most interesting shift is away from GLP-1 drugs entirely. Eloralintide and cagrilintide both copy amylin instead, and early results suggest much less nausea. Meanwhile, ERX1000 targets leptin, which is a different pathway again. And aleniglipron is trying to deliver GLP-1 results in a pill rather than a shot.
Can I lose weight without drugs?
Yes, and plenty of people do. Diet changes, strength training, and sleep all matter, and they matter more than most advertising suggests. However, for many people those steps alone do not produce lasting weight loss, and that is a biological reality rather than a willpower problem. So the honest answer is that both paths are real. Basically, most people do best combining them.
Where can I get obesity help near Charlotte NC?
Atrium Health and Novant Health both run weight management programs across the Charlotte metro. Also, both have bariatric surgery programs. Your primary care doctor can refer you to either one. Meanwhile, some employer plans cover a supervised weight program even when they refuse to cover the medications. So ask about that specifically, because the answer surprises people.
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← Back to All Clinical TrialsSources
- ACCOMPLISH-1 aleniglipron study, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07654361
- ACCOMPLISH-2 aleniglipron study, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07654374
- SOLIS-1 Pfizer study, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07575932
- ENLIGHTEN-1 eloralintide study, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07321886
- Macupatide and eloralintide study, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07589608
- ERX1000 study, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07570758
- Cagrilintide study, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07607587
- MARITIME-CV study, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07037433
- MARITIME-OSA-2 study, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07226765
- MARITIME-OSA-1 study, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07225686
- Obesity and heart failure study, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07567001
- AMPLIFY-PsO tirzepatide study, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06857942
- AMPLIFY-PsA tirzepatide study, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06864026
- CDC: 2024 obesity prevalence age maps, BRFSS 2024
- CDC NCHS Data Brief 508: Obesity and Severe Obesity Prevalence in Adults
- CDC PLACES: county level obesity estimates, Mecklenburg County NC
- American Heart Association: obesity contributes to up to half of new diabetes cases annually
- Obesity journal: contemporary treatment patterns of overweight and obesity, Mass General Brigham
- KFF 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey: GLP-1 coverage
- NPR: shrinking insurance coverage for Wegovy and Zepbound
- Healio: eloralintide phase 2 results and expert commentary
- Amgen: MariTide phase 2 results at ADA 2025
- ADA Meeting News: MariTide investigators review trial data
- BioSpace: cagrilintide phase 3 results
- TCTMD: SURMOUNT-1 tirzepatide results and expert commentary
- TCTMD: muscle loss on GLP-1 drugs, two sided expert commentary
Study details verified against ClinicalTrials.gov on August 15, 2026. Study availability and criteria change; the research clinic confirms everything before you enroll.