According to sources, AstraZeneca agreed to pay approximately $55 million to settle around 5500 lawsuits related to claims that Seroquel (quetiapine) caused diabetes in some users.

The latest round of settlements, which resulted from mediation involving 26,000 suits filed over the antipsychotic, includes 4000 cases that the drugmaker acknowledged in a recent regulatory filing.

The drugmaker declined to discuss the terms of the accords.

AstraZeneca spokesman Tony Jewell noted that the company "continues to participate in good faith in the mediation process, with multiple mediation sessions scheduled throughout the summer.

" The sources noted that AstraZeneca is seeking to resolve as many cases as possible for about $10,000 each in the coming months.

AstraZeneca said earlier this year that it had paid about $656 million to defend itself in Seroquel cases, including $2 million in July to settle more than 200 cases.

 In addition, the drugmaker agreed to pay $520 million to resolve claims by federal regulators that the company illegally marketed the drug for unapproved uses.