Nastech Pharmaceutical Company was incorporated in 1983, as a formulation science company concerning nasal drug delivery technology. The company completed a public offering of shares of common stock on the NASDAQ in 1997 and acquired Atossa HealthCare in 2000. Nastech's business strategy seeks to broaden applications of its commitment to Formulation Science, allowing drugs to be more safe and effective in patient treatment, with particular emphasis on the applications for nasal or oral drug delivery in the prescription and over-the-counter markets. The company focuses its research and development activities on injectable drugs with demonstrated safety and efficacy, and with an unaddressed market need, in order to enter into early stage collaborative alliances with major pharmaceutical companies and bring to market new, improved therapies that may expand the market for certain drugs. Using Formulation Science, Nastech seeks to establish domestic and international relationships with major pharmaceutical companies for the early stage introduction of nasal or oral dosage forms of drug delivery as a viable alternative to injectable therapy. With this approach Nastech would devote its resources to the further development of its technology while leveraging the established product development, sales and marketing capabilities of its collaborative partners in significant markets. Nastech has one registered subsidiary Atossa HealthCare.