EXHIBIT 23B Independent Auditors' Consent The Board of Directors Nastech Pharmaceutical Company Inc We consent to the use of our report dated February 11, 2002 with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Nastech Pharmaceutical Company Inc. and subsidiary as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2001, incorporated herein by reference. /s/ KPMG LLP Melville, New York July 8, 2002