Patamostat is primarily used as a serine protease inhibitor, making it valuable in medical research and therapeutic applications. It is often employed in studies related to blood coagulation and inflammation, as it effectively inhibits enzymes like thrombin, trypsin, and plasmin. This property makes it useful in managing conditions such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a severe complication often seen in critically ill patients. Additionally, Patamostat has been explored for its potential in treating pancreatitis due to its ability to reduce inflammation and proteolytic activity in the pancreas. Its application extends to experimental models where controlling protease activity is crucial for understanding disease mechanisms or developing targeted therapies.