OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford The former Athenex plant on Route 5 in Dunkirk, currently leased by ImmunityBio.

ImmunityBio is getting a delivery of equipment in the coming weeks so it can ramp up production at its Dunkirk plant.

The news came about two-thirds of the way through a debate Wednesday between Dunkirk mayoral candidates Kate Wdowiasz and David Damico. They were asked what they would do about the plant, which has sat mostly idle since ImmunityBio leased it from Athenex in February 2022. Wdowiasz, who was asked to respond first, made the announcement, which Damico then affirmed.

Vince DeJoy, city planning and development director, said he briefed the candidates on the ImmunityBio news.

“I will just say that in discussions that have been had with (ImmunityBio) senior leadership, there will be some shipments of equipment in the next few weeks that will be arriving from overseas,” he said. “They will be providing more information, videos and so on. More details will be following.”

He added, “This plant is going to be operational, but there is still a great deal of work once this equipment is installed.”

ImmunityBio is a California-based pharmaceuticals start-up. It’s in the same line of work as Athenex, a Buffalo company that went bankrupt this year.

New York State provided $200 million for the Dunkirk plant in 2016, amid a great deal of fanfare. Promises for hundreds of jobs at the site were never met, as Athenex faced severe and ultimately unsolvable financial difficulties.

Almost immediately after leasing the building, ImmunityBio said it needed extensive renovations to fit its needs, and laid off most of the employees at the site.