Used as a key chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in antiviral and antitumor agents. Its rigid cyclobutane backbone and two hydroxyl groups in defined stereochemistry make it valuable for designing enzyme inhibitors and bioactive molecules. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies due to its conformational restraint. Also utilized in the preparation of cyclic nucleoside analogs and as a scaffold in drug discovery programs targeting central nervous system disorders.