Used primarily as a chiral building block in the synthesis of antiviral medications, particularly in the production of nucleoside analogs. Its rigid cyclopentane scaffold with defined stereochemistry enables selective coupling reactions, enhancing the efficacy and specificity of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Commonly employed in the development of drugs targeting RNA viruses, including hepatitis B and certain retroviruses. The hydroxyl and amino functional groups allow for straightforward derivatization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for optimizing drug metabolism and bioavailability.