Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical agents, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors. Its rigid, polycyclic structure with defined stereochemistry makes it valuable for designing drugs targeting viral enzymes, such as those in hepatitis C and other RNA viruses. The sulfone functionality enhances binding affinity and metabolic stability, improving pharmacokinetic properties in final drug compounds. It is also employed in medicinal chemistry research to explore new bioactive molecules with central nervous system activity due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.