Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of certain pharmaceutical agents, particularly in the development of central nervous system drugs. Its chiral structure makes it valuable in creating enantiomerically pure compounds, which are often required for optimal biological activity. It has been explored in the context of GABA analogs, where it may contribute to modulating neurotransmitter activity. Due to its structural similarity to amino acids, it can be incorporated into peptidomimetic designs for enhanced metabolic stability and receptor selectivity.