Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-related compounds and enzyme inhibitors. It serves as a building block in medicinal chemistry for creating heterocyclic compounds with biological activity. Its aldehyde and carboxylic acid functional groups allow for versatile derivatization, enabling the formation of Schiff bases, amides, and esters in drug design. Also employed in the preparation of ligands for metal-catalyzed reactions and in the study of metabolic pathways involving pyridine derivatives.