Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of antiviral and antidiabetic drugs. Its rigid adamantane backbone enhances metabolic stability and bioavailability in drug molecules. Commonly employed in the preparation of peptide mimetics and enzyme inhibitors due to its ability to mimic natural substrates. Also utilized in the design of targeted delivery systems where carboxylic acid groups allow for easy conjugation to carriers or nanoparticles. Its bifunctional nature (two carboxylic acid groups) enables cross-linking in polymer chemistry for specialty materials.