Used as a chiral intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) requiring stereochemical control. Its structure allows for selective functionalization, making it valuable in constructing complex heterocyclic compounds. Commonly employed in the preparation of kinase inhibitors and other bioactive molecules where the (R)-enantiomer contributes to desired biological activity. The cyano and carboxylate groups serve as handles for further chemical transformations, enabling efficient route design in medicinal chemistry.