Used primarily as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of neuroactive compounds. Its chiral structure makes it valuable in creating drugs that target the central nervous system, including potential anticonvulsants and anxiolytics. The compound's amino acid-like framework allows for integration into peptidomimetic structures, enhancing metabolic stability and bioavailability in drug design. It is also employed in research settings to study structure-activity relationships in GABA analogs.