Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of protease inhibitors and other biologically active molecules. Its hydroxyl and carboxylic acid functional groups allow for further chemical modifications, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for building complex drug structures. Commonly employed in peptide mimetic design due to its pyrrolidine backbone, which can influence conformation and enhance metabolic stability. Also utilized in the preparation of enzyme inhibitors where stereochemistry and ring structure play a critical role in biological activity.