Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical agents, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors. Its chiral structure makes it valuable for constructing stereoselective drug molecules, especially in treatments targeting viral infections and metabolic disorders. The presence of functional groups like the carboxylic acid and nitrile allows for further chemical modifications, enabling the creation of diverse compound libraries for drug discovery. Commonly employed in research settings for designing potent and selective bioactive molecules.