Data updated: Jun 28, 2026
Chronic Pain Clinical Trial Landscape
Chronic Pain is being studied across 291 clinical trials registered since 2008, with 63 programs currently active. The competitive pipeline includes 15 active Phase 3 trials, 26 active Phase 2 trials, and 8 active Phase 1 trials.
Top industry sponsors include Eli Lilly, Evon Medics LLC, iN Therapeutics Co., Ltd..
Trial activity
63 active / 291 total since 2008
Active by phase 15 Ph3 / 74 26 Ph2 / 91 8 Ph1 / 45 14 Ph4 / 81
Sponsor activity
Who is running trials now — green active, blue completed, red failed/terminated.
Sorted by active Active Done Failed
Eli Lilly 2 0 0
Evon Medics LLC 1 1 0
iN Therapeutics Co., Ltd. 1 1 0
Ethos Research & Development 1 0 0
Pfizer 0 7 1
Grünenthal GmbH 0 3 4
AstraZeneca 0 6 0
Mundipharma (China) Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd 0 4 0
Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K. 0 4 0
Tris Pharma, Inc. 0 2 1
Nektar Therapeutics 0 2 1
Endo Pharmaceuticals 0 0 3
How the field has grown
New-trial starts peaked in 2024 (27 registered); 2025 saw 13. The right-hand chart shows median Phase 3 enrollment by start year — the number in parentheses is that year's Phase 3 trial count (32 in total), so single-trial years (and years with no Phase 3 starts) are obvious. Both are by trial start date; the current year is partial.
New trials started by year
2016 7
2017 18
2018 19
2019 17
2020 12
2021 14
2022 12
2023 20
2024 27
2025 13
2026 12
TheraRadar.com
Median Phase 3 enrollment by start year
2016 (3) 44
2017 (4) 22
2018 (5) 8
2019 (0) 0
2020 (1) 60
2021 (4) 290
2022 (2) 213
2023 (3) 234
2024 (4) 231
2025 (3) 300
2026 (3) 126
TheraRadar.com
Full trial pipeline
Every active and completed trial across Phase 1–4, with enrollment analytics. Sortable, filterable, exportable with Pro.
NCT06027099 RECRUITING
CARES (Comprehensive Analgesic, Recovery, and Education Support) for Surgery Trial
Stanford University n=375
NCT04923334 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Nonpharmacologic Pain Management in FQHC Primary Care Clinics
University of Utah n=500
NCT07448285 RECRUITING
Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Platelet-rich Plasma Infiltration in Chronic Omalgia
Biobizkaia Health Research Institute n=86
NCT04903002 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Evaluating the Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin on Chronic Pain
Memorial University of Newfoundland n=336
NCT05459402 RECRUITING
Divided or Single Exposure (DOSE) Study
University of Maryland, Baltimore n=150
NCT06387290 RECRUITING
Optimizing Chronic Pain Care With Mindfulness and Chronic Pain Management Visits
University of Utah n=300
NCT07361432 NOT YET RECRUITING
Digital Treatment for Chronic Pain and Addiction in Veterans With Opioid Use Disorder Receiving Buprenorphine
VA Office of Research and Development n=250
NCT07296770 NOT YET RECRUITING
An Artificial Intelligence Driven Approach to Optimize Patient Selection for a Transitional Pain Service
University of California, San Francisco n=126
NCT05997979 RECRUITING
Analgesic Effectiveness of Capsaicin 8% Cutaneous Patch in Children
University Hospital, Brest n=46
NCT04874038 RECRUITING
Prevention of Persistent Pain With LidocAine iNfusions in Breast Cancer Surgery (PLAN)
University Health Network, Toronto n=1,602
NCT05703178 RECRUITING
Web-based Pain Coping Skills Training for Breast Cancer Survivors With AI-Associated Arthralgia
Northwestern University n=452
NCT06091202 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Tele-Collaborative Outreach to Rural Patients With Chronic Pain
Oregon Health and Science University n=608
NCT06502496 NOT YET RECRUITING
Behavioural Study in Chronic Pain : Creativity and Motivation, and Circuits Involved in Functional MRI
Fondation Ophtalmologique Adolphe de Rothschild n=48
NCT05913284 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Intravenous Methadone in Perioperative Acute and Chronic Management in Chinese Adult Cardiac Surgical Patients
Chinese University of Hong Kong n=86
NCT02967640 COMPLETED
Does Subacromial Injection With Glutamate Receptor Antagonist, Ketamine, Attenuate Pain in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy?
Helse Møre og Romsdal HF n=14
NCT05548738 COMPLETED
Caudal Epidural Prolotherapy Versus Steroids in Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Alexandria University n=90
NCT05335486 WITHDRAWN
Investigating RELEARN Neurofeedback as Treatment for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
Redo-Neurosystems
NCT02983682 COMPLETED
Lidocaine Infusions for Chronic Pain in Children
The Hospital for Sick Children n=19
NCT04876859 SUSPENDED
Comparative Study Between Steroid Plus Anesthetic Block and CRF in Participants With Hip Osteoarthritis
University of Brasilia n=36
NCT01115569 COMPLETED
Long-Term Study of Hydrocodone Bitartrate Controlled-release Capsules in Subjects With Chronic Pain
Zogenix, Inc. n=424
NCT03158376 COMPLETED
Preoperative Gabapentin for Chronic Pain After Thoracotomy (GABATHOMIE).
University Hospital, Lille n=201
NCT02888574 COMPLETED
Evaluating the Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin Among Individuals With Persistent Pain
University of Calgary n=24
NCT04808544 COMPLETED
Naldebain for Pain Management of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
E-DA Hospital n=80
NCT01709721 COMPLETED
Safety and Efficacy Study of Hydromorphone Hydrochloride by Intrathecal Administration
Piramal Critical Care, Ltd. n=153
NCT02946073 COMPLETED
Buprenorphine (CAM2038) in Subjects With a Recent History of Moderate to Severe Chronic Low Back Pain
Braeburn Pharmaceuticals n=1,053
NCT01709747 COMPLETED
Single-arm Study to Assess the Safety of Hydromorphone Hydrochloride by Intrathecal Administration
Piramal Critical Care, Ltd. n=364
NCT01964378 TERMINATED
CORAL - Cebranopadol Versus Morphine Prolonged-release in Patients With Chronic Moderate to Severe Pain Related to Cancer
Tris Pharma, Inc. n=200
NCT02031432 COMPLETED
CORAL XT - Open-label Extension Trial of the CORAL Trial
Tris Pharma, Inc. n=76
NCT02367820 COMPLETED
Long-Term Safety and Tolerability Study of NKTR-181 in Subjects With Chronic Low Back Pain or Chronic Non-Cancer Pain
Nektar Therapeutics n=638
NCT02920528 COMPLETED
Subdissociative Dose Ketamine for Treatment of Acute Pain in Subjects With Chronic Pain
Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center n=106
NCT04693312 COMPLETED
Injection of Dorsal Scapular n at Different Levels, Dose it Make Difference?
Assiut University n=60
NCT04681027 SUSPENDED
Safety, Tolerability, Effectiveness, and Pharmacokinetic Data in Opioid-experienced Children
Endo Pharmaceuticals n=15
NCT04322968 COMPLETED
Ketamine Infusion for Comorbid PTSD and Chronic Pain
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System n=41
NCT00765856 TERMINATED
Open-Label Safety and Tolerability of Oxymorphone IR and ER in Opioid Tolerant Pediatric Subjects
Endo Pharmaceuticals n=27
NCT00631319 COMPLETED
A Double-blind Study of Controlled Release OROS Hydromorphone Compared to Placebo in Patients With Chronic Osteoarthritis (OA) Pain
Mallinckrodt n=343
NCT02362672 COMPLETED
Efficacy and Safety Study of NKTR-181 in Opioid-Naive Subjects With Low Back Pain
Nektar Therapeutics n=1,189
NCT02321319 TERMINATED
Open-Label Safety and PK Study of ER Hydromorphone Tablets in Opioid-Tolerant Pediatric Chronic Pain Patients
Mallinckrodt n=5
NCT02219321 TERMINATED
Lidocaine Infusion for Chronic Pain in Opioid Dependent Patients
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center n=3
NCT02984397 COMPLETED
Chronic Widespread Pain and White Blood Cell Activation
McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre n=44
NCT03581591 COMPLETED
Open Label Trial Assessing Safety and Efficacy of Burosumab (KRN23), in a Patient With ENS and Hypophosphatemic Rickets
Redwood Dermatology Sciences n=1
NCT02528188 COMPLETED
Long Term Safety and Efficacy Study of Tanezumab in Subjects With Osteoarthritis of the Hip or Knee
Pfizer n=3,021
NCT00983073 COMPLETED
Evaluation of Effectiveness and Tolerability of Tapentadol Hydrochloride in Subjects With Severe Pain Due to Osteoarthritis Taking Either WHO Step I or Step II Analgesics or no Regular Analgesic
Grünenthal GmbH n=224
NCT00982280 TERMINATED
Evaluation of Effectiveness and Tolerability of Tapentadol Hydrochloride in Subjects With Severe Pain Due to Osteoarthritis Taking WHO Step III Analgesics But Showing a Lack of Tolerability.
Grünenthal GmbH n=82
NCT03339622 TERMINATED
Safety and Efficacy of Smoked Cannabis for Improving Quality of Life in Advanced Cancer Patients
Tetra Bio-Pharma n=8
NCT02722603 TERMINATED
Study to Compare Gabapentin to Tramadol in Children With Chronic Neuropathic or Mixed Pain
Pharmaceutical Research Management srl n=2
NCT03915938 COMPLETED
Ketamine's Effect Changes the Cortical Electrophysiological Activity Related to Semantic Affective Dimension of Pain
Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre n=24
NCT03255330 WITHDRAWN
The Effect of Gabapentin Used as a Preemptive to the Emergence and Development Chronic Neuropathic Pain in Patients After Spinal Cord Trauma
Masaryk University
NCT00983385 COMPLETED
Evaluation of Effectiveness and Tolerability of Tapentadol Hydrochloride in Subjects With Severe Chronic Low Back Pain Taking Either WHO Step I or Step II Analgesics or no Regular Analgesics
Grünenthal GmbH n=208
NCT00986258 TERMINATED
Evaluation of Effectiveness and Tolerability of Tapentadol Hydrochloride in Subjects With Severe Chronic Low Back Pain Taking WHO Step III Analgesics But Showing a Lack of Tolerability
Grünenthal GmbH n=136
NCT02138409 WITHDRAWN
Fentanyl Sublingual Spray for the Treatment of Acute Procedure-related Pain in a Monitored Setting
INSYS Therapeutics Inc
NCT03365817 COMPLETED
Cognitive Function and Addiction Under Opioid Tapering
Rigshospitalet, Denmark n=75
NCT02065804 COMPLETED
Trigger-point Blockade in Persistent Pain After Laparoscopical Groin Hernia Repair
University of Copenhagen n=14
NCT01223365 COMPLETED
Study to Evaluate the Long-Term Safety of Hydrocodone Bitartrate Extended-Release Tablets (CEP-33237) in Patients Who Require Opioid Treatment for an Extended Period of Time
Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D, Inc. n=330
NCT01240863 COMPLETED
Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Hydrocodone Bitartrate Extended-Release Tablets (CEP-33237) for Relief of Moderate to Severe Pain in Patients With Osteoarthritis or Low Back Pain Who Require Opioid Treatment for an Extended Period of Time
Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D, Inc. n=391
NCT02232256 WITHDRAWN
The Efficacy of CALPXT96™in Improving Sleep Quality in Patients With Chronic Non-cancer Pain
9305-9954 Quebec Inc
NCT01185470 COMPLETED
The Clinical Evaluation of Implantable Pump System For Safety And Delivery Accuracy In Patients Requiring Intrathecal Administration Of Morphine Sulfate For Chronic Pain
Medallion Therapeutics, Inc. n=75
NCT01608321 TERMINATED
rTMS for the Treatment of Chronic Pain in GW1 Veterans
VA Office of Research and Development n=17
NCT01571362 COMPLETED
A Research Study of an Investigational Drug ALO-02 (Oxycodone Hydrochloride and Naltrexone Hydrochloride) in Patients With Moderate to Severe Chronic Low Back Pain
Pfizer n=410
NCT02065219 COMPLETED
Trigger-point Blockade in Persistent Pain After Open Groin Hernia Repair
University of Copenhagen n=20
NCT01752322 COMPLETED
Efficacy and Tolerability of Lidocaine Plaster for Treatment of Long-term Local Nerve Pain
Grünenthal GmbH n=444
NCT00736957 COMPLETED
A Long-term Efficacy and Safety Study of Tramadol Hydrochloride Plus Acetaminophen (JNS013) in Japanese Participants With Chronic Pain
Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K. n=219
NCT01493245 COMPLETED
A Study of JNS020QD in Patients With Chronic Pain
Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K. n=77
NCT01008618 COMPLETED
A Confirmatory Study of Fentanyl in Participants With Osteoarthritis or Low Back Pain
Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K. n=218
NCT00788372 COMPLETED
An Efficacy and Safety Study of Fentanyl in Participants With Chronic Pain
Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K. n=142
NCT01206907 WITHDRAWN
Effectiveness, Safety, and Tolerability Study of Oxymorphone Immediate Release (IR) Oral Liquid in Opioid Tolerant Pediatric Subjects
Endo Pharmaceuticals
NCT01651338 TERMINATED
Quality of Life and Acupuncture on Chronic Pain: A Randomized Study Before and After Performing
Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj n=150
NCT00813488 COMPLETED
Fentanyl Buccal Tablets Versus Immediate Release Oxycodone for Breakthrough Pain in Patients With Chronic Pain
Cephalon n=213
NCT00998816 WITHDRAWN
The Effect of Perioperative Pregabalin on the Incidence of Chronic Post-thoracotomy Pain Syndrome
Queen's University
NCT01517256 COMPLETED
A Pilot Study Evaluating a Multidisciplinary Chronic Pain Group Therapy in a Primary Care Setting
McMaster University n=60
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · Trials registered 2008 onwards · Industry sponsors only