NEW MATERIAL:The compound of formula (R is saturated or unsaturated higher fatty acid residue; M is H, alkali metal or 1/2 alkaline earth metal).

EXAMPLE: 2,4-Dipalmitoylpantetheine-S-sulfonic acid calcium salt.

USE: Useful as a drug such as bifidus factor, serum lipid lowering agent, etc. It is expected to be useful as drugs for skin, cosmetics, etc.

PREPARATION: The objective higher fatty acid ester of the pantetheine-S-sulfonic acid of formula and its salt can be produced by the conventional acylation reaction of the pantetheine-S-sulfonic acid and its salt. For example, the raw material compound is dissolved in a solvent having deacidifying effect (e.g. pyridine), and reacted with a slightly more than (preferably 1.1W1.3 times) stoichiometric amount of a fatty acid halide.