This compound is primarily used in biochemical research to study sialylation processes, which are crucial for understanding cell communication and immune response. It serves as a donor substrate for sialyltransferases, enzymes that transfer sialic acid to glycoproteins and glycolipids. This helps in the synthesis of sialylated compounds, which are important in various biological functions, including cell adhesion, signaling, and pathogen recognition. Additionally, it is utilized in the development of glycoconjugate vaccines and therapeutic agents targeting diseases related to sialic acid metabolism, such as cancer and infectious diseases. Its role in modifying cell surface molecules also makes it valuable in studying cancer metastasis and immune evasion mechanisms.