Used as a key chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceutical agents, particularly in the development of neuroactive compounds and central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics. Its strained cyclobutane ring and functional group arrangement make it valuable for designing enzyme inhibitors and receptor modulators. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies due to its conformational rigidity and ability to mimic peptide bonds. Also utilized in the preparation of bicyclic lactams and other fused-ring systems for drug discovery programs.