Orange County

Peter Upton, the former president of Allergan International and a 25-year veteran of the drug industry, has been named president and chief executive of Nelson Research & Development Co., a drug development company in Irvine.

Upton replaces Eric Nelson, the founder of Nelson Research, who will remain as chairman of the board and chairman of the scientific advisory committee.

Nelson said Upton’s appointment signals the 13-year-old company’s recognition of a need for the “leadership and experience of an executive” with drug industry background.

Upton joined Allergan International, a division of SmithKline Beckman, in 1976 and is credited with leading its international division during a period of rapid profitable growth. He left the company several years ago. Before joining Allergan, Upton served with Burroughs Wellcome, a major international drug firm. At Burroughs Wellcome he was a member of the board of directors and responsible for all of Wellcome’s activities in Africa, Asia and Australia.