To inexpensively produce the subject compound useful as a synthetic intermediate, etc., of a carbapenem compound having antibacterial activity by acting a hydrolase derived from an animal organ or a microorganism to a glutaric acid diester derivative having a thio-substituted group at 3-position.

The objective (S)-glutaric acid monoester derivative expressed by formula II having a thio-substituted group at 3-position useful as an important synthetic intermediate, etc., of 2-position side chain of a carbapenem antibiotic having excellent antibacterial activity is obtained by acting a hydrolase derived from an organ of an animal (e.g. esterase derived from a swine liver) or a hydrolase derived from a microorganism (e.g. a hydrolase derived from a microorganism belonging to the genus Arthrobacter) on a glutaric acid diester derivative having a thio-substituted group at 3-position [e.g. 3-{(p)- methoxybenzylthio}glutaric acid dimethyl ester] expressed by formula I (R1 is a lower alkyl; R2 is H or a releasable protecting group for a thiol group).