Used as a key chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of neuroactive compounds and antiviral agents. Its rigid bicyclic structure and functional groups make it valuable for designing enzyme inhibitors and receptor modulators. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies due to its stereochemical stability and ability to mimic bioactive conformations. Also utilized in the preparation of prodrugs and as an intermediate in asymmetric synthesis.