Used in pharmaceutical research, particularly in the synthesis of chiral compounds and peptides. It serves as a building block for creating drugs targeting neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Also employed in the production of chelating agents for metal detoxification therapies. In biochemistry, it aids in studying enzyme mechanisms and protein structures due to its thiol group. Additionally, it finds application in the development of diagnostic agents for detecting specific biomarkers in medical tests.