Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of nicotinamide analogs and kinase inhibitors. Its aldehyde and lactam functional groups allow for diverse chemical modifications, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for building bioactive molecules. It is also employed in the preparation of pyridone derivatives with potential antiviral and anticancer activities. Additionally, it serves as a building block in the design of heterocyclic compounds for drug discovery research.