(S)-Ethyl 2-aminobutanoate hydrochloride is primarily used in the pharmaceutical industry as a chiral building block for the synthesis of various active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). It serves as a key intermediate in the production of drugs that target the central nervous system, particularly those used in the treatment of neurological disorders. Its chiral nature makes it valuable in the development of enantiomerically pure compounds, ensuring higher efficacy and reduced side effects in therapeutic applications. Additionally, it is utilized in organic synthesis for the preparation of amino acid derivatives and peptides, which are essential in research and drug development.