L-Dihydroorotic acid is primarily used in the field of biochemistry and medical research. It serves as a key intermediate in the de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides, which are essential for DNA and RNA synthesis. This makes it valuable in studies focused on cellular metabolism and nucleotide synthesis pathways. Additionally, it is utilized in the development of drugs targeting pyrimidine metabolism, particularly for conditions like cancer and viral infections, where disrupting nucleotide synthesis can inhibit cell proliferation or viral replication. In biotechnology, it is also employed in the production of nucleoside analogs, which are important in antiviral and anticancer therapies.