Used as a key chiral building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of bioactive molecules and central nervous system agents. Its rigid, fused ring structure and defined stereochemistry make it valuable for designing enzyme inhibitors and receptor modulators. Commonly employed in medicinal chemistry for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies due to its ability to influence potency, selectivity, and metabolic stability. Also utilized in asymmetric synthesis and catalysis as a scaffold for ligand design.