It is a member of the prodiginines group of natural products and has been investigated for potential antimalarial activity.

[1] The biosynthesis of undecylprodigiosin starts with PCP apoprotein which is transformed into the holoprotein using acetyl CoA and PPtase then adenylation occurs utilizing L-proline and ATP.

Elongation by decarboxylative condensation with malonyl CoA is followed by another decarboxylative condensation with L-serine using α-oxamine synthase (OAS) domain.

[2] The first total synthesis of the undecylprodigiosin was published in 1966, confirming the chemical structure.

[2][3] As with other prodiginines, the compound has been investigated for its pharmaceutical potential as anticancer, immunosuppressant, or antimalarial agent.