Used as a key chiral intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of statins such as atorvastatin and rosuvastatin, which are widely prescribed for lowering cholesterol. Its enantiomerically pure structure allows for efficient and selective construction of the active pharmacophore in these drugs. The presence of functional groups—cyano, hydroxyl, and keto—enables further chemical transformations, making it valuable in multi-step organic syntheses. Commonly employed in asymmetric synthesis routes due to its stereochemical integrity and reactivity profile.