Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) analogs and other biologically active pyridine derivatives. Its aldehyde and nitrile functional groups allow for selective reactions, making it valuable in constructing complex heterocyclic compounds for drug development. Also employed in the preparation of fluorescent probes and sensors due to its ability to form conjugated systems that exhibit detectable optical properties. Commonly utilized in research settings for developing enzyme inhibitors and studying metabolic pathways.