Used in biochemical research as a key intermediate for synthesizing folate-based compounds, particularly in the development of targeted cancer therapies. It serves as a building block for conjugating pteridine moieties to aromatic systems, enabling the creation of molecules that can bind selectively to folate receptors overexpressed in tumor cells. This property makes it valuable in designing drug delivery systems and diagnostic agents for cancers such as ovarian and breast carcinoma. Additionally, it is employed in the synthesis of enzyme inhibitors and probes for studying folate metabolism pathways.