Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of histamine-related pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of H2 receptor antagonists. It plays a role in creating compounds that modulate gastric acid secretion, making it valuable in treatments for peptic ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Also utilized in research settings for designing enzyme inhibitors and bioactive molecules due to its structural similarity to histidine and histamine. Its functional groups allow for easy modification in medicinal chemistry, enabling the creation of diverse analogs for drug discovery.