Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that require chiral cyclobutane motifs. Its ester and hydroxyl functional groups allow for selective modifications, making it valuable in constructing complex molecular architectures. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for optimizing drug potency and metabolic stability. Also utilized in the preparation of protease inhibitors and other bioactive molecules where constrained ring systems enhance target binding.