Pharmaceutical manufacturing is coming to the Southern Tier. Home-grown Athenex is building a 300,000 sq.ft. plant in Dunkirk with significant funding from the New York State Buffalo Billion fund. Athenex is a global specialty oncology pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of next generation therapies for cancer diseases and supportive therapies.

This announcement, made possible by a partnership with the SUNY Polytechnic Institute, includes a major expansion of Athenex’s North American headquarters in Buffalo. The combined projects are expected to yield a $1.62 billion investment over ten years from Athenex, along with $225 million from New York State.

The Chautauqua County manufacturing facility will produce innovative next-generation cancer treatment drugs. Athenex is also constructing manufacturing facilities in China. The Dunkirk plant is expect to employ 900. For perspective, the City of Dunkirk has a population of 12,000.

Economic Development officials see this as spreading the success of the Buffalo Billion program to other areas of Western New York. “It’s a positive impact on the entire region,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo.

While Athenex expects to employ 900 in Dunkirk, company officials expect its Buffalo offices and research facilities to grow to 500 employees in coming years.

The State will invest $25 million to expand and improve the sixth floor of the Conventus Building at Main and High streets. Athenex will occupy 51,000 sq.ft. under a long-term lease for its North American Headquarters, a formulation product development center and a pilot plant, where oncology products are perfected and refined before the technology is transferred for large scale production in Dunkirk.

Athenex will invest a minimum of $100 million in Buffalo. The state will lease the 6th floor space and sublet it to Athenex for a ten-year term with an option by Athenex to add on an additional ten years. Construction of the office space started last August; lab work will begin soon and is expected to be completed this fall.

“This is really a historic moment,” said Governor Cuomo. “It’s a game changer.