Penwest Pharmaceuticals Co. develops pharmaceutical products based on oral drug delivery technologies. The Company is focusing its development efforts principally on products that address diseases of the central nervous system. The two most advanced products in its drug development pipeline are Oxymorphone ER, an extended release formulation of oxymorphone, a narcotic analgesic being developed for twice-a-day dosing in patients with moderate to severe pain requiring continuous, around-the-clock opioid therapy for an extended period of time, and PW2101, a beta blocker intended for the treatment of hypertension and angina. The Company is also developing several additional product candidates in areas, such as edema, epilepsy, schizophrenia and depression.