Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of biologically active compounds, particularly in the development of pharmaceuticals. Its chiral structure makes it valuable in asymmetric synthesis, where stereochemistry is critical for drug efficacy. Commonly employed in the preparation of protease inhibitors and other therapeutic agents requiring high enantiomeric purity. The sulfinyl and carboxylate groups allow for further chemical modifications, enabling the construction of complex molecular architectures in medicinal chemistry research.