This chemical is widely used in the development of drug delivery systems, particularly in the creation of liposomes and nanoparticles. It serves as a key component for surface modification, enabling the attachment of targeting ligands such as antibodies or peptides. This enhances the specificity of drug delivery to target cells or tissues, improving therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. Additionally, it is utilized in bioconjugation techniques, where it facilitates the covalent bonding of biomolecules like proteins or drugs to polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains. This PEGylation process increases the stability and circulation time of therapeutic agents in the bloodstream, making it valuable in the formulation of long-acting pharmaceuticals. It is also employed in research for studying cell membrane interactions and developing advanced biomaterials.