🔬 Updated March 2026

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Clinical Trials Near You

New biologics, JAK inhibitors, and disease-modifying therapies are actively recruiting RA patients — including those who have failed methotrexate or prior biologics. Search trials below and get a plain-English summary of any study.

500+
RA trials currently recruiting
$0
Cost to participants in most trials
Phase 3
Most active trials are late-stage
🔍 Live from ClinicalTrials.gov
Find RA Trials Near You

Who Is Eligible for RA Clinical Trials?

Eligibility varies by study, but most actively recruiting RA trials fall into one of two categories: trials for biologic-naive patients (those who have not yet tried a biologic) and trials for biologic-inadequate responders (those who have tried one or more biologics without adequate benefit).

The most common eligibility requirements across RA trials include:

Having tried and failed biologics does not disqualify you — in many cases it makes you an ideal candidate for next-generation therapies that are specifically designed for refractory disease.

What Types of Treatments Are Being Tested?

RA drug development is exceptionally active. Here are the main classes of therapy currently in trials:

Drug Class How It Works Who It's For
Selective JAK inhibitors Block specific JAK enzymes that drive joint inflammation, with improved selectivity over first-generation JAK inhibitors Patients who failed methotrexate or biologics
Next-gen IL-6 inhibitors Block the IL-6 pathway that promotes systemic inflammation and joint destruction Active RA despite conventional therapy
GM-CSF pathway blockers Target a newly identified inflammatory pathway involved in RA that existing drugs don't address Often biologic-naive or early RA
CAR-T cell therapy Resets the immune system using engineered T cells — early phase, highly experimental Severe refractory RA, failed multiple biologics
Biosimilars FDA-approved copies of existing biologics at lower cost Any RA patient eligible for the reference biologic

What to Expect as a Trial Participant

The experience varies significantly by trial phase and design, but most Phase 2 and Phase 3 RA trials follow a similar structure:

The investigational drug, all related labs, and monitoring are provided at no cost. Compensation for time varies by site — ask the trial coordinator at enrollment.

Related Tool
2010 ACR/EULAR RA Classification Calculator
Not sure if your diagnosis meets formal criteria? Use our physician-built calculator to check — the same criteria trial coordinators use to confirm eligibility.
Open Calculator →

If You Have Failed Prior Biologics

Patients who have tried and failed one or more biologics represent one of the most actively recruited populations in RA research. This is because standard treatment guidelines have few remaining options after biologic failure, and pharmaceutical companies are competing to offer the next solution.

If you have had an inadequate response to TNF inhibitors (like adalimumab, etanercept, or certolizumab), IL-6 inhibitors (like tocilizumab or sarilumab), or other biologics (like abatacept or rituximab), you may qualify for trials of:

Search above with the "Failed Prior Biologic" filter selected to find trials specifically designed for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Adults with a confirmed RA diagnosis and active disease are the core target population. Most trials require a minimum number of swollen and tender joints plus elevated CRP or ESR. Some trials are biologic-naive only; many specifically want patients who have failed prior biologics. Age, comorbidities, and current medications are also screened. The trial coordinator will walk you through full eligibility at no cost before any commitment.
Most RA trials provide compensation for time and travel, typically $50 to $300 per visit. More importantly, the investigational treatment, all related labs, and monitoring are provided at no cost. Some trials also cover imaging. Payment varies by site and study — ask the coordinator at your first call.
Most modern RA trials use an active comparator design — you receive either the investigational drug or an existing approved treatment, not a sugar pill. In trials that do include a placebo arm, the placebo period is usually short (12-16 weeks), participants are closely monitored, and rescue therapy or early escape to active treatment is offered if disease worsens significantly. Many trials also offer open-label extensions afterward.
Yes — and in many cases you are an ideal candidate. Many Phase 3 RA trials specifically require prior biologic failure. Having tried and failed one or more biologics is not a disqualifier; it often makes you exactly who the trial is designed for.
All trials must be approved by an Institutional Review Board and are conducted under FDA oversight. Phase 3 trials have already completed safety testing in earlier phases and are typically testing a new drug against an established one. You can withdraw at any time without penalty or impact on your regular medical care.
Current RA trials are testing selective JAK inhibitors, new biologics targeting IL-6, GM-CSF, and other cytokines, CAR-T cell therapies for refractory disease, novel small molecules, and biosimilars. The pipeline is exceptionally active — there are more RA trials recruiting right now than for almost any other rheumatic disease.

Other Rheumatology Trials

Looking for trials in a different condition? We maintain similar pages for all major rheumatic diseases:

Trial data sourced live from ClinicalTrials.gov. Content reviewed by Mahiar Rabie, MS, MD. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Eligibility for any specific trial must be confirmed with the trial coordinator.