Used in the semi-synthesis of anticancer drugs, particularly paclitaxel (Taxol), Baccatin III serves as a key precursor in pharmaceutical manufacturing. It is isolated from renewable sources like yew trees and allows for large-scale production of taxane-based chemotherapeutics without relying solely on natural paclitaxel extraction. Due to its structural similarity to the core scaffold of paclitaxel, it enables efficient chemical modification to produce active drug compounds. This application is critical in oncology for treating ovarian, breast, and lung cancers, supporting sustainable and cost-effective drug development.