Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of indole-based drugs with biological activity. Commonly employed in the production of antihypertensive agents and kinase inhibitors due to its ability to serve as a building block for more complex heterocyclic structures. Its carboxylic acid and oxo functional groups allow for easy derivatization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for creating analogs during drug discovery. Also utilized in research settings for designing compounds that target central nervous system disorders and inflammatory conditions.