Used as a chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of antiepileptic and neuroprotective agents. It serves as an intermediate in the production of beta-amino acids with biological activity. Also employed in the preparation of peptidomimetics and enzyme inhibitors due to its structural similarity to natural amino acids. Its stereochemistry makes it valuable in asymmetric synthesis and drug design where specific enantiomeric forms are required for optimal activity.