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Exhibit 24

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENT, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Tod R. Hamachek and Jennifer L. Good and each of
them, severally as attorney-in-fact for him or her in any and all capacities,
to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Penwest Pharmaceuticals Co. for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, and to file same and any amendments, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be
done virtue hereof.

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|SIGNATURE                                                          |  | DATE          
|/s/ Paul E. Freiman

Paul E. Freiman, Director                     |  | March 29, 2002
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|/s/ Jere E. Goyan, Ph.D.

Jere E. Goyan, Ph.D., Director           |  | March 29, 2002
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|/s/ Rolf H.Henel

Rolf H. Henel, Director                          |  | March 29, 2002
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|/s/ Robert J. Hennessey

Robert J. Hennessey, Director             |  | March 29, 2002
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|/s/ N. Stewart Rogers

N. Stewart Rogers, Director                 |  | March 29, 2002
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|/s/ John N. Staniforth, Ph.D.

John N. Staniforth, Ph.D., Director |  | March 29, 2002
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|/s/ Anne M. VanLent

Anne M. VanLent, Director                     |  | March 29, 2002