Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of nicotinamide-based drugs and kinase inhibitors. It serves as a building block in medicinal chemistry due to the reactivity of both the aldehyde and nitrile functional groups, allowing for diverse derivatization. Commonly employed in the preparation of heterocyclic compounds and bioactive molecules with potential antitumor, antiviral, or anti-inflammatory activity. Also utilized in research settings for the design of novel drug candidates targeting metabolic and neurological disorders.