Biotech bites: Sirtex to be listed on S&P/ASX 200

Anti-cancer company Sirtex Medical (ASX:SRX) has received a Christmas treat by being slated to be listed on the S&P/ASX 200 index.

This follows the removal of Integra Mining Limited (ASX:IGR) from the list by S&P Dow Jones Indices, pending approval of the merger of Integra with Silver Lake Resources (ASX:SLR).

Sirtex will join the S&P/ASX 200 after the close of trading on 24 December 2012, just as Santa is hefting his sack on to his sleigh.

Sirtex Medical specialises in SIR-Spheres microspheres, which are a medical device used to treat liver cancer by delivering Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) to the liver.

Sales of SIR-Sphere have been growing, particularly in the United States and the Asia Pacific region.

The company's share price (ASX:SRX) jumped 5% during the day's trading, up 6c to $12.75. This time last year they were changing hands for $4.34.