Used as a potent and selective inhibitor of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD1), this compound is primarily applied in research settings to study lipid metabolism and its role in metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. It helps modulate the levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, thereby influencing cellular processes related to endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Due to its ability to induce cancer cell death in certain tumor models, particularly those dependent on lipogenesis, it is also investigated for potential oncology applications. Commonly used in preclinical studies to evaluate the therapeutic impact of SCD1 inhibition in vivo and in vitro.