Used in pharmaceutical research as a key intermediate for the synthesis of various biologically active compounds. It plays a significant role in the development of enzyme inhibitors, particularly those targeting proteases, which are crucial in treating diseases like cancer and viral infections. Additionally, it is utilized in the preparation of chiral building blocks for drug discovery, aiding in the creation of molecules with specific stereochemical properties. Its application extends to the study of peptide mimetics, which are important in designing drugs that mimic natural peptides for therapeutic purposes.