Used as a chiral intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors and other biologically active molecules. Its free amino group (as hydrochloride salt) and differentially protected ester functionalities allow selective reactions in multi-step organic syntheses. Commonly employed in asymmetric synthesis due to its stereochemical purity, enabling the production of enantiomerically pure drugs. Also utilized in the preparation of peptide mimetics and enzyme inhibitors where precise spatial orientation of functional groups is critical for biological activity.