N-(2-Pyridylmethyl)glycine ethyl ester is primarily used in organic synthesis as a building block for creating more complex molecules. It serves as a key intermediate in the preparation of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of compounds with potential therapeutic effects. The compound is also utilized in the study of coordination chemistry, where it acts as a ligand to form complexes with metal ions, aiding in the exploration of catalytic processes and material science applications. Additionally, its structure makes it valuable in research focused on designing novel bioactive molecules and studying their interactions with biological targets.