A-21978C nucleus (I) (obtained by deacylating A-21978C complex by fermentation with Actinoplanes utahensis NRRL 12052) is protected with di-tert-butyl carbonate (II) and NaOH in water to give the N-(Orn-)-tert-butoxycarbonyl derivative (III), which is treated with 2,4,5-trichlorophenyl decanoate (IV) in hot DMF yielding the protected decanoyl derivative (V). Finally, this compound is deprotected with trifluoroacetic acid / 1,2-ethanedithiol.