Infectious Disease Web Site Ican Inc. Ceases Operations

Minnesota-based Ican Inc., a subscription-based news and information site for "people studying and fighting" infectious disease outbreaks, last week laid off its final 10 workers and ceased operations, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. The site, whose name was an acronym for "infection control advisory network," was founded in 1999 by Minnesota epidemiologist Michael Osterholm. With $5.5 million in raised capital, Ican grew to more than 60 employees within six months. However, last year's Internet stock crash forced the company to conduct two rounds of layoffs. Although Ican had 10,000 "loyal users," it was unable to sell enough subscriptions to cover costs, according to Ican CEO and co-founder Michael Moen. Moen said that the company's remaining assets may be sold to a medical publishing company (Wieffering, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 7/17).