Enzon Inc. has reduced its staff by 22 in its second round of layoffssince beginning a cost containment program last summer.

The Piscataway, N.J.-based company has reduced its work force by atotal of 44 over the last six months, bringing the total number ofemployees to 136.

The most recent cuts targeted general and administrative personneland, according to company officials will save Enzon $1.5 million inwages and related benefits.

Donna Brasko, company spokeswoman, said that with the costreductions Enzon has enough cash on hand to sustain it into fiscalyear 1996, which begins in July.

She added that the company anticipates its burn rate to average about$1 million a month.

Enzon this week also got FDA approval to begin clinical trials of itsblood substitute, PEG-hemoglobin. The product is a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier derived from bovine hemoglobin modified byattaching polyethylene glycol (PEG) to proteins, preventing thebody's immune system from attacking them.

Brasko said the company is searching for a corporate partner forclinical development and marketing of PEG-hemoglobin.

The company has two products approved by the FDA: Adagen fortreatment of severe combined immunodeficiency disease andOncaspar for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Oncaspar is being marketed by Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc., ofCollegeville, Pa.

Enzon's stock (NASDAQ:ENZN) closed Tuesday at $2.12, down 6cents. _ Charles Craig

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