The German supplier of human dura mater blamed for a number of cases of the fatal Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in Japan plans to reach a negotiated settlement on suits filed by patients and victims' families, the company said in a statement Wednesday.

B. Braun Melsungen AG said in the statement, "For an early resolution, we will present a settlement proposal tomorrow to the Tokyo and Otsu district courts that will include specific figures and conditions," although it does not agree to several key disputed points in the suits.

The company declined to disclose details of its proposal now as it would affect many delicate issues, but it is ready to disclose them at a later date as it deems fit, according to the statement.

Two CJD suits seeking a combined 2.9 billion yen in damages were filed at the two courts -- Otsu in 1996 and Tokyo in 1997 -- on behalf of 30 CJD patients who received the dura mater during brain surgery.

The company, based in Melsungen, also indicated in the statement, written in Japanese, that it has done its utmost to make a proposal not only to the plaintiffs but also other patients and relatives of deceased victims.

Both courts concluded hearings in July and later recommended the parties reach a settlement, saying the German company, its Japanese importer and the Japanese government are ultimately responsible for causing the disease. The courts also recommended that all patients be compensated.

On Thursday, the company is scheduled to hold settlement talks with the plaintiffs at the Otsu court.

According to sources familiar with the lawsuits, an executive of B. Braun arrived in Japan earlier this month and held talks with lawyers representing the plaintiffs.

The German company confirmed during the talks that it intends to pay compensation and to make arrangements for those who may contract CJD in the future, the sources said.

The patients have presented to the courts a plan seeking a basic 60 million yen in compensation per patient, with increments depending on the age at which patients developed the disease.

The company may opt for 45 million yen per patient, the amount of compensation decided in the high-profile lawsuit filed by AIDS patients who contracted HIV from tainted blood products.

A lawyer for the plaintiffs said, "Given the courts have clearly acknowledged the responsibility of B. Braun, it is only logical that it complies with the request for settlement payments.

"Settlement talks should move in full swing from now on. The government should also recognize its responsibility to all the patients and reach a settlement as soon as possible."

Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Chikara Sakaguchi earlier expressed his readiness to reach a settlement along the lines of the courts' recommendations.

On Wednesday, Kazumasa Shinohara, head of the ministry's office dealing with victims of drug side effects, said, "It (B. Braun's proposal) is news to me. At this moment, however, we want to withhold comment because settlement talks are still under way and we have not been informed of any specifics."

Hearing the news, Sanichi Tani, one of the plaintiffs, said, "I am really glad, though it is only logical. Filing our suits as an attempt to shed light on the truth has paid off."

The German company started the sale of dura mater in 1968 and the former Ministry of Health and Welfare authorized its import to Japan in 1973. B. Braun decided to cease manufacturing the product in 1996.

The courts said the firm could have foreseen as early as 1978 that dura mater could transmit the disease if tainted.

In its statement, B. Braun said it does not agree with several key points raised by the courts, particularly on whether it was possible to foresee the danger of the disease being transmitted via dura mater.

CJD is a fatal brain disorder that causes rapid, progressive dementia and associated neuromuscular problems. With no treatment available, it usually leads to death within one to two years.