Former Allergan Executive Named to Head I-Flow Corp.

I-Flow Corp., the Irvine developer of drug-infusion systems, has hired Donald M. Earhart, a former Allergan executive, as its president and chief operating officer. Earhart also is being considered for the top job as chief executive officer and to become a member of I-Flow’s board of directors, the company said Tuesday.

In February, Eric Brown resigned as I-Flow’s chief executive over a disagreement with the company’s board of directors about business strategy, according to a company spokesman. At that time Michael A. Pentopoulos, an independent consultant, stepped in to serve as the company’s chief executive. Pentopoulos would resign that position to Earhart.

Earhart, 46, was formerly president of the Optical Division of Allergan, a major eye care products manufacturer in Irvine. At Allergan, Earhart managed a line of ophthalmic products with sales of more than $350 million.

By contrast, I-Flow is a 5-year-old research firm that has yet to make its first sale. Officials of the company, which went public in February, say they hope to have their first home drug-infusion product ready for market by the end of this year.

“That Earhart chose to join I-Flow, with so many other excellent opportunities open to him, is a very strong testament to his and our faith in the future of the company,” said Dr. John H. Abeles, I-Flow’s chairman.