(R)-2-Amino-3-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic acid is primarily used in the field of biochemistry and pharmaceuticals. It serves as a key intermediate in the synthesis of various bioactive compounds, including antibiotics and enzyme inhibitors. Its unique structure makes it valuable in the development of drugs targeting metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, it is utilized in research to study enzyme mechanisms and metabolic pathways, particularly those involving amino acid metabolism. The compound also finds application in the production of chiral catalysts, which are essential in asymmetric synthesis for creating enantiomerically pure substances.